SPRINGDALES SCHOOL DHAULA KUAN The Sarvodaya International Trust, New Delhi Chapter in collaboration with India International Centre organized “Bapu : The undying flame” to pay a tribute to the ‘Father of the Nation’ on the eve of Martyr’s Day on Saturday, January 28th, 2017 at India International Centre.

Her Excellency, Smt. Salma Ansari, Spouse of the Hon’ble Vice President of India presided over as Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr. Jyoti Bose, Managing Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust and Director, Springdales Schools, welcomed Mrs. Salma Ansari and described her as a person who has not only devoted her life to the cause of under-privileged children and for the rights of women, but has also followed the Gandhian path of truth and righteousness – a lady of great humaneness.

In her address to the audience Smt. Salma Ansari said that Gandhi was a rare soul who took humanity one notch higher with his philosophy of Non Violence “The power of Gandhi was the truth in his heart and his message of Universal love and brotherhood”, she added.

Professor Apoorvanand, a literary and cultural critic and Professor of Hindi, University of Delhi in his talk titled “The final days of Gandhi” , emphasized that Gandhiji, an Apostle of Peace, fought for realization of Hindu Muslim Unity throughout his life. Gandhi’s greatest achievement lay in the example he provided in living out his ideals, which inspires people of all nations to take up the peaceful struggle for freedom from oppression even today. Prof Apoorvananda concluded that Gandhi was gone, a martyr, as he would have wished, to the cause of peace.

As an effort to blend all the voices of faith through music, from Gospel to Opera and Sufi, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of melodious songs of Harmony by eminent vocalist Ms. Sonam Kalra and renowned Instrumentalists Ahsan Ali, Amaan Ali Khan and Rajesh Prasana. The soul stirring rendition of “Hallelujah” and “Abide with me” melded beautifully with Kabir’s dohas and Indian classical instruments, displayed their passion and commitment to the Gandhian cause of peace, harmony and tolerance.

Present on the occasion were Mrs Indira Verma, Chairperson, Sarvodaya International Trust and Trustees Dr. A. K. Merchant, Mr. Keki Daruwala, Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath, Dr. Rakhshanda Jalil, Dr. Radhika Chopra, Commodore T. Chand as well as eminent personalities from the field of Education, Science, Arts and Gandhians.

Mrs. Sukanya Bharatram, Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust (NDC) proposed the vote of thanks.