Call to follow Mahatma Gandhiji's path of non-violence

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today exhorted the people to vow for development, unity and integrity of the country following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Let us pledge on this day to sacrifice our life like Mahatma Gandhi for India's development, unity, integrity and to uphold her independence", Azad said after inaugurating the All India Gandhians Summit here on the occasion of the Martyr's day.

Gandhiji's path of non-violence and love was the only way to solve the ongoing fight in the name of religion and caste, he said.

Recalling the 1940 Pandu Congress session which was attended by Gandhiji, he said Assam party leaders and workers for the first time made the pandal with khadi cloth.

"This was a pioneering move by the Congress leaders in Assam and ever since only khadi is used for pandals of Congress sessions", he said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at the venue launched his government's free health services for mother and the new born.

Under the 'Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram' pregnant women are entitled to free delivery in government hospitals, besides medicines, diognestic tests and diet among others. Their babies are also entitled to similar facilites.

Delegates from across the country besides Malaysia and Nepal were participating in the two-day summit organised by the Gandhi Global Family of New Delhi in collaboration with the local organising committee.

Ghulam Nabi Azad is also the president of Gandhi Global Family.