Hanoi ceremony marks 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth Anniversary was celebrated in Hanoi on October 2. The main event was organized by the Embassy of India, Hanoi, at the Voice of Vietnam Auditorium.
In his speech, Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma said Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas about the truth, peace and non-violence inspired the anti-colonial movement and struggles for national independence across Asia and Africa, including the one led by President Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.
The two leaders’ leadership and messages about human dignity and freedom inspired the Vietnamese and Indian peoples’ bravery and confidence to fight against colonialism and gain independence, he noted.
On this occasion, a set of stamps was launched to celebrate the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. A collectible souvenir with four commemorative postage stamps of Mahatma Gandhi, President Ho Chi Minh, Sanchi Stupa of India, and Pho Minh Pagoda of Vietnam, was also released by the Vietnam Post.
Vietnam Institute for Indian and South-West Asian Studies (VIISAS) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) issued a special edition of its journal on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Embassy of India in Hanoiorganized several events throughout the last one year to celebrate ‘Mahatma@150’ in Hanoi and different parts of the country. One of the events that got very good response from students was 'Mahatma Gandhi Online Quiz Competition'. Six winners of the online quiz competitions received prizes from the dignitaries present in the event.
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Hanoi in association with Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and students of University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Hanoi Academy of Cinema and Theatre, presented cultural performances highlighting Mahatma Gandhi teachings of non-violence and truth as universal human values.
Another commemorative programme element was a photo exhibition with unveiling of paintings on Mahatma Gandhi by three renowned painters of Vietnam, Mme. Van Duong Thanh; Mr. Nong Tien Dung; and Mr. Hoang Du. Deputy Minister of Information and Communication and Ambassador of India jointly opened the exhibition and unveiled the special series of commemorative paintings.
