Indians mark Ghandi’s 150th birthday

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OFFICIALS of the Indian High Commission and University of PNG yesterday celebrated the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Forum Square Garden which has a statue of him.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Frank Griffin thanked High Commissioner Vijai Kumar for choosing the university as the venue for the occasion.
Griffin said the university was privileged to host the auspicious occasion to commemorate the 150th anniversary of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
“Your decision to celebrate this special occasion here at the university shows the commitment of your administration and the government of India’s growing involvement in strengthening relations with the people of Papua New Guinea through academic and research activities at the university,” Griffin said.
He said the university was grateful to India for its assistance, including the:

  • Centre of excellence in information technology project;
  • support to the UPNG IT system;
  • the ocean and coastal marine sciences work in the School of Natural and Physical Sciences, particularly the Motupore Island research centre and the satellite project;
  • the assistance through the economics division of the School of Business and Public Policy; and,
  • the opportunity presented to the staff and students through the Indian technical and economic cooperation.

Kumar thanked UPNG for hosting and facilitating the event.
He said in India, Gandhi’s birthday was commemorated as Gandhi Jayanti and worldwide as International Day of Non-Violence, in accordance with the United Nations resolution.
“I am also happy to update that the work to launch the Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Excellence in IT at the UPNG is now in the final stages and we are hoping it to start in February, 2020,” he said.