Temple for Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated

Vijayawada: All India Freedom Fighters Association secretary Satyanand Yaji exhorted the people to follow non-violence way of life preached by Mahatma Gandhi for peace and harmony in the society.

He addressed a meeting after the inauguration of first Gandhi temple here, a first of its kind in the state on Tuesday, along with Assembly Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad, on the premises of Syed Appala Swamy College in the old city here.

Recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters, Yaji said that students should take freedom fighters as their role model to serve the country and society.
Referring to the principles of Gandhi, he expressed concern over the increasing violence in the society and stressed on the need for following non-violence. 

Stating that Gandhi’s philosophy could be understood easily, Yaji asked the students to read life of Gandhi to know truth, non-violence, faith and other principles. Deputy Speaker Buddha Prasad expressed happiness over the construction of temple to Mahatma and hoped that this temple will bring change in the society. He said the whole world praises Gandhi as apostle of peace, who worked for Swachhata. He asked people to adopt Swachhata which was a great tribute to Mahatma. 

Freedom fighter Uppuluri Mallikarjuna Sarma asked the students to adopt 11 principles of Gandhi for a peaceful living and stressed on the need for imposing ban on liquor by the government for maintaining peace and harmony in the society.

Rampilla Society constructed the Gandhi temple, started Gandhi Mala Deeksha and published 500 Gandhi slokas. Society secretary R Jayaprakash recalled that his father joined the freedom struggle attracted by Gandhiji’s principles during the freedom movement and their family had been working for spreading Gandhian philosophy. He said that Gandhi temple will ignite patriotism and non-violence among students. 

Freedom fighter Rampilla Narasayamma hoisted the national flag and addressed the gathering. Earlier, a huge freedom rally was taken out in the city from Kaleswara Rao Market to Gandhi temple in which freedom fighters, political leaders and students in large numbers participated. Later Gandhi Deeksha was concluded in the Gandhi temple.