Pic: Gandhi/Shastri Jayanti was organised at Veera Soudha at Belagavi on ThursdayBelagavi: Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated with enthusiasm across Belagavi city and district on Thursday. Special events were organised at various places, including Veer Soudha, where the Congress session was held under the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi a hundred years ago in 1924. Homage was paid to his portrait, his ideals recited, and and prayers were sung. The day was dedicated to remembering Mahatma Gandhi, his life, philosophy of non-violent resistance, and enduring impact on India and the world.The district administration, zilla panchayat, information and public relations department, and the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) jointly organised a programme commemorating Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Veera Soudha.Speaking on the occasion, BCC mayor Mangesh Pawar said Gandhi was as concerned about cleanliness as he was about the freedom struggle. He gave top priority to cleanliness in the country through the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign. “Therefore, we need to cooperate to keep our city clean,” Pawar said, calling to keep the city plastic-free.DC Mohammad Roshan, literary scholar Prakash Girimallanavar, Gurunath Kadabur, deputy director of the information department spoke. Vinayak More and the team presented a bhajan.Essay competition winnersIn a district-level essay competition held as part of the birth anniversary of Gandhiji, Divya Srishaila Ganigera of Machche, Govt High School, KSRP, Belagavi, won the first prize in the high school category. Neeta Yadav of Nandagarh SRMRS won the second prize, and Pooja Gajapati of Chennamma Kittur Girls’ Govt High School won the third prize.In the undergraduate category, Deepika Misrikoti of Bailhongal PU College won the first prize, Amrita Patil of Sardar PU College won the second prize, and Sangamesh Talwar of Savadatti GG Chopra Govt PU College won the third prize.In the graduate/postgraduate category, Netravati Madar of Rani Channamma University won the first prize, and Sakshata Badalinge of Rani Channamma University won the second prize. The students who secured the first position, Alfia Nadaf of Rani Channamma University, and Lakshmibai Manappagol, who secured the third position, were felicitated with cash prizes and certificates.Freedom fighter Rajendra Kalaghatagi, MLA Asif Raju Sait, police commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Rahul Shinde, additional district superintendent of police RB Basaragi, deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, and BCC commissioner Shubha B were present.
