Mahatma Gandhi remembered in Italy too

Rome -- Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings were remembered in the historic Italian city of Narni at an institute of higher studies named after the great leader on his 137th birth anniversary Monday.

A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Gandhi Institute of Higher Studies in Narni, central Italy, by the Indian Ambassador to Italy Rajiv Dogra.

Mayor of Narni Stefano Bigaroni and Guido Viscione, director of the institute, were also present at the ceremony, according to an Indian embassy press release here.

The bust, made by noted Indian sculptor Ratnabali Kant, was commissioned and gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The institute decided to name itself after Mahatma Gandhi in 1987 and since then the students of the school and its teaching establishment have kept the memory of Gandhi alive through their efforts.

Ambassador Dogra also gave away prizes to the first six winners of the Mahatma Gandhi national poetry competition organised by the institute for students all over Italy. The prizes were sponsored by the Indian embassy here. This competition is to now become an annual event.

On the occasion, the institute opened a new section of its library housing books and audio-visual material on India. Dogra also announced, on behalf of ICCR, a new scheme to invite five students from the institute to visit places associated with the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi in India.

After 1987, Oct 2 has always been celebrated in a special way at the institute and at the Narni town hall.

The students of the Narni Institute held a daylong programme celebrating their association with Mahatma Gandhi and emphasising the relevance of his message of non-violence and peace in today's world.