from Rons Bantwal
for Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SM)

Mumbai, Oct 5: S M Krishna, governor, Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister and other distinguished invitees took the 'India of My Dreams' pledge from the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh on the occasion of 138th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Bhavan. 

The Government is also celebrating the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha movement this year.

The Prime Minister read out the pledge from the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, which was broadcasted by Doordarshan. The governor and the chief minister repeated the same pledge along with distinguished invitees in front of a large screen put up at the Darbar Hall.

The year 2007 is being celebrated as the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha movement in South Africa. On his way to the round table conference, Gandhiji had outlined his vision for the nation. The text of the oath was taken from the vision statement of Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier the governor accompanied by Prema Krishna garlanded the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi and witnessed Bhajan which was recited by Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar.

Minister of finance Jayant Patil, minister of state Suresh Shetty, chief secretary Johny Joseph, former Sheriff Kiran Shantaram, eminent citizens, Gandhians, officers and employees of the government were present on the occasion.