JAMMU OCTOBER 02- Recalling the rich legacy of non-violenceand human dignity bequeathed by Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi to posterity,National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today said thatBapu's idea of secular India is continuing to inspire the entire world,transcending ethnic and geographical boundaries and barriers.

"The best tribute to the apostle of peace on his 150thbirth anniversary therefore would be to rededicate ourselves to preserve hisidea of India based on religious tolerance, equality, justice, love andcompassion", said Mr Rana. Accompanied among others by Mr. Surjeet SinghSlathia, Mr. Rattan Lal Gupta, Thakur Rachpal Singh at a function organized byGandhi Global Family, paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

The Provincial President said that it is matter of pride forthe people of Jammu and Kashmir that when the entire subcontinent was engulfedby communal frenzy during the horrendous days of partition, the Mahatama Gandhisaw ray of light emanating from this State. This, he said, was anacknowledgement of the commitment of people here to secularism and love forhuman values.

On Gandhi Jayanti, Mr Rana reiterated his party’s firmresolve to uphold democracy, secularism, communal harmony and the brotherhoodwhich has always been the corner stone of glorious ethos of Jammu and Kashmirand urged all to take a pledge that God gives everyone the courage to be thetorch bearers of the ray of Hope that the Father of the Nation saw in J&Kin 1947. He urged all to work to ensure that the ray of shining light of Hopecontinues to emanate from J&K and its glow is seen across the country andthe world.

Mr Rana called for Hindu Muslim Sikh Christian Unity andinvoked the Gandhiji's most cherished Bhajan Ishwar-Allah Tere Naam, Sab KoSampati De Bhagwan. This should be the spirit to serve the nation by risingabove religious and regional barriers, he said.

Mr. Rana complimented the Patron of Gandhi Global Family,Padmshri Dr SP Varma and his team for organizing a fitting tribute at MubarakMandi Complex, Jammu over the last three decades.

This was the first public appearance of the ProvincialPresident and other detained NC leaders after restrictions, imposed onmainstream leaders on August 5, removed by the administration in Jammuprovince.

Prominent who were present included, Dharamveer SinghJamwal, Ch Haroon, Abdul Gani Teli, Vijay Lochan, Ashok Singh Manhas, S. SuchaSingh, Sandeep Singh and others.