Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Ministers, Ministers and MLAs join Gandhi-Shastri remembrance; all-faith prayer and Ramdhun held
GTNS | BHUBANESWAR | OCTOBER 2, 2026
Odisha observed Gandhi Jayanti on Friday with a state-level programme at the premises of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, bringing together the Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, legislators and senior officials to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
The programme was organised by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Odisha Government. Floral tributes were offered to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri as the state remembered the two national leaders on their respective birth anniversaries.
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida participated in the commemorative programme. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Works, Law and Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan, along with MLAs and other senior dignitaries, were also present. Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma and Information & Public Relations Director Sanjay Kumar Biswal attended the programme.
Gandhi’s message of truth and non-violence recalled
The ceremony focused on the enduring principles associated with Mahatma Gandhi — truth, non-violence, Satyagraha, cleanliness, Swadeshi, self-reliance and service to the poorest sections of society.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid tribute to Gandhi and said his contribution extended beyond India’s freedom struggle. According to the Chief Minister, Gandhi offered the world a moral framework based on Satyagraha and non-cooperation.
Majhi also referred to Gandhi’s vision of reaching people at the last rung of society and connected it with the government’s emphasis on welfare and Antyodaya. He highlighted cleanliness as a mass public movement and referred to Swadeshi in the context of the broader objective of self-reliance.
All-faith prayer and Ramdhun
An important part of the state-level observance was an all-faith prayer meeting, reflecting Gandhi’s emphasis on communal harmony and respect among different religious traditions.
The programme also featured the rendition of “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” the devotional hymn closely associated with Gandhi’s public prayer gatherings. A Ramdhun was organised as part of the commemorative proceedings.
Shastri Jayanti observed alongside Gandhi Jayanti
The Assembly programme also commemorated the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Chief Minister Majhi remembered Shastri for his simplicity, integrity, dedication to public service and commitment to the nation. He also recalled Shastri’s famous “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” call, which became associated with national confidence and the importance of both the armed forces and farmers.
Governor Kambhampati also paid tribute to Shastri, recalling his simplicity, integrity and dedication to national service.
Government’s message on Gandhi’s ideals
The Chief Minister said Odisha’s development efforts would continue to draw inspiration from Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence and Shastri’s dedication to duty and service.
The official state-level programme therefore combined ceremonial homage with a broader message around public service, cleanliness, self-reliance, welfare and social responsibility.
Across Odisha, political parties, social and cultural organisations, youth groups and other associations also organised programmes to mark the birth anniversaries of Gandhi and Shastri.
The Assembly premises thus became the central venue for Odisha’s official Gandhi Jayanti observance, with constitutional authorities, elected representatives and senior officials joining the state-level commemoration of two figures whose public lives continue to be remembered through their messages of service, duty and national commitment.