Indus Valley Times

By Sukanta Kumar Mohanty

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 23: The Odisha Legislative Assembly of Odisha on Tuesday adopted unanimous resolution calling for incorporation of word “Ahimsa” (non-violence) in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

With the entire Odisha celebrating the centennial anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s first visit to the state on Tuesday, the Assembly passed the historic resolution as a “fitting tribute” to the Father of the Nation.

State tourism and culture minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi had introduced the resolution.

Odisha government and outfits crossing party lines have been urging for the inclusion of non-violence, which is the Mahatma’s most propounded doctrine, in the constitution.

A special discussion was tabled in the Assembly on this occasion. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the House during the discussion said Odisha was where Mahatma’s heart was. Gandhiji had visited Odisha on eight different occasions and toured several places across the state.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Pradipta Naik said, “Tributes to the Mahatma can only be reflected in ways how much we all have lived up to inculcate his doctrines in our lives.”