Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Gandhi Peace Centre at Khandagiri-Udaygiri caves here.
The centre is a unique digital interactive museum with six galleries where items related to Mahatma Gandhi are displayed. It is a joint initiative between the Odisha government and Aditya Birla Group.
After inaugurating the centre today, the CM thanked the Aditya Birla Group for its “dedicated support” to the state government for the project. He said the centre will provide an institutionalized platform to awaken consciousness about the life and works of Gandhiji and educate people to realize the deeper significance of his ideals.
“India achieved freedom in 1947. By this time, Non-violence had become truly global, an identity of Indian-ness, and a more potent weapon than violence. It is in this context that I urge a grateful nation to pay tribute to the Mahatma by ‘incorporating non-violence in the Preamble of the Constitution’ in his 150th year,” he said.
“At the heart of the idea of non-violence, remain dialogue, reconciliation, accommodation and understanding. These values pave the way for peaceful resolution of many intractable issues of our collective life. I am sure that this ‘Gandhi Centre for Peace’ will provide an institutionalized platform to awaken consciousness about the life and works of Gandhiji and educate people to realize the deeper significance of his ideals,” he added.
The ‘Ahimsa Stambha’ and ‘Selfie Zone’ are the special attractions of the centre.
A multimedia show on Gandhiji’s ideology of truth, non-violence and policy of Jainism would be displayed till March 15. Besides, a debate and prayer programme will also be organised.
The state government had signed a 15-year agreement with the Aditya Birla Group in 2017 for operation and management of the interpretation centre at Khandagiri-Udayagiri caves and decided to rename it as Eternal Gandhi Peace Centre.