President to preside over PM-headed panel on Gandhi 150th birth Anniversary

President Ram Nath Kovind will preside over first meeting of National Committee for Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. The committee is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has 114 members on board including Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Prime Ministers and Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, members of union cabinet, political party leaders, chief ministers, Gandhians, spiritual gurus and social workers among others.

Background

The birth anniversary of father of the nation will be commemorated from 2nd October, 2019 to 2nd October, 2020. Many events are planned to organised at both national and international level to propagate message of Mahatma Gandhi. In 2018-19 budget proposals, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had earmarked Rs. 150 crore for the celebrations.

Key Facts

The 114-member committee will discuss policies, plans and preparatory activities for commemoration of birth anniversary. Its recommendations will be considered for implementation by government. The Ministry of Culture will be nodal ministry for celebrations. Chief Ministers of different states, leaders of various political parties, Gandhians, spiritual leaders and social workers are expected to attend the meeting.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018