Instead of being proud of taking photographs with the celebrities and the highly respected people of the societies, it is better to follow their paths.  Everyone should take a little step further in following them, said Mr.A.Nataranajan, the Consul General of India in Jaffna.

    He made these remarks at a function to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of Non-Violence jointly organized by Jaffna Science Association and All Ceylon Gandhi Seva Sangam at the University of Jaffna on 02.10.2015. He was the chief guest of the function and made the following remarks at the function.

    I feel at home when I am in Jaffna; it is not different from Tamilnadu for me. I see the respect the people here give to the great Indians like Mahatma Gandhi and Abdul Kalam.  I have been to many schools and community centers in Jaffna. I have seen the images of Mahatma Gandhi, Thiruvalluvar and Abdul Kalam which are adorned with garlands and this illustrates the respect people give to them. We are indebted to these people; I am unable to express my gratitude verbally. They are beyond verbal expressions. I am so happy about it. Jaffna people prove that they are not ordinary people. You transfer love and character to your next generation through this. The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi has been celebrated as the International Non-Violence Day all over the world since it was declared by the UN.

    Mahatma came to Sri Lanka in 1927 and spent most of his days in the Northern Part of the country. He visited many schools and met children there knowing that the youth are the future leaders of the country.  What I want to say on this day is ‘live the life in the manner shown by Mahatma.'  He was an embodiment of love. He said that we could win everything by showing love and we cannot win anyone by non-violent means. Thus, he chose the way of love. Instead of being proud of taking photographs with the highly respected people in the society, everyone should follow the paths shown by them. Everyone should take a little step further. Be kind to children, parents, elders, and neighbors.  We could also show love to plants and animals. Let us follow the paths of Mahatma.