Mahatma Gandhi's sesquicentennial celebrated in Bengal

West Bengal on Wednesday joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the sesquicentennial of the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi with a large number of programmes organised by the state government, political parties and civic bodies.

The main programme was held at Gandhi Ghat in Barrackpore in the North 24 Parganas district where state governor Jagdeep Dhankar paid a floral tribute at the martyrs' column amid the rendering of the Ramdhun.

Women took part in spinning yarn, all faith prayer services were held and school students read excerpts from Gandhi's writings.

The Gandhi Bhavan in north east Kolkata's Beliaghata, where Gandhi had stayed on India's independence in 1947 in his bid to stop the communal riots in the then Calcutta, was thrown open to the public during the day after being converted into a full-fledged museum.

State ministers Bratya Basu, Sashi Panja and local MP Sudip Bandopadhyay attended the programme.

A large number of people came to the historic building, earlier called 'Hyderi Manzil' and went round the museum that depicts various aspects of Gandhi's life and houses many of the personal items used by the apostle of peace during his stay there.

Among the items showcased are three swords surrendered to Gandhi by the rioters as a symbolic gesture to stop the violence after he went on fast.

The state Congress leaders took out a padyatra from Subodh Mallick Square to Gandhi's statue on Mayo Road in central Kolkata.

The state Congress has also organised an exhibition on Gandhi's relations with 'united Bengal' outside its headquarters Bidhan Bhawan.

The exhibition, inaugurated on September 30, concludes on Wednesday evening.

The central government's Regional Outreach Bureau organised a seminar and cultural programme where Gandhiji's favourite bhajans were rendered.

The Field outreach bureau, Chinsurah, organised a two kilometre run in which students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Salt Lake, took part.

The day was also celebrated by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

( With inputs from IANS )