Italian PM takes part in Gandhi Jayanti celebrations

ROME: In a rare gesture, the Deputy prime Minister of Italy, Francesco Rutelli, has attended the 138th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi at Piazza Gandhi here.

Indian Ambassador Rajiv Dogra, actor Kabir Bedi and Italian actor Gil Rossellini, were present on the occasion on Tuesday along with Sandro Gozi, President of Indo-Italian Friendship Society of the Italian Parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, Rutelli said that Mahatma Gandhi's message found resonance universally today. "In this age of tension his words and actions provide inspiration and comfort."

Ambassador Rajiv Dogra said that Mahatma Gandhi was a universal man and his message of Satyagraha and Non-Violence is of pivotal significance.

"Mahatma endures in the best parts of our minds; the part where our ideals are kept, because he was the embodiment of human-rights and right values," he said adding young people are turning more and more to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and it augured well for the future of humanity.

During the last one year, several events linked to Mahatma Gandhi were held in Italy.

A life-size bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was put up at a prominent location in Genoa by the city authorities and a school named after him in Narni. Besides a bust of Mahatma Gandhi was installed there. An international poetry competition in honour of Mahatma Gandhi and dedicated to his ideals is also being organized in Italy this month.