Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday visited the Gandhi Ashram in Noakhali and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 75th death anniversary. The Ashram commemorates Bapu’s “Peace Mission” to Noakhali in 1946 and his message of non-violence and communal harmony. The High Commissioner also participated in a discussion titled “The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Contemporary World” organized by the Gandhi Ashram Trust. Members of the trust, local political leaders, representatives of local administration as well as civil society and academia joined the interaction. High Commissioner Verma underlined the guiding light of Gandhiji’s philosophy of truth, humanism and non-violence in showing them the path to deal with today’s global menace of extremism and terrorism. He also emphasised Gandhi’s belief in harmony with nature, his determination for the empowerment of the poorest and his message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that inspires the motto of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” adopted by India for its G20 Presidency.  

The Gandhi Ashram (Board of Trustees) Bill, 2021 was placed in Parliament to replace the related Ordinance that was promulgated during the military regime and declared illegal by the court. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haq placed the Bill and it was sent to the respective Parliamentary Standing Committee for examination. The Committee was asked to submit its report within 60 days. READ: Parliament passes Finance Bill, allows whitening of undisclosed money   The Gandhi Ashram (Board of Trustees) Bill, 2021 was designed in Bengali version incorporating no new provisions in the Gandhi Ashram (Board of Trustees) Ordinance, 1975. According to the proposed law, the government will appoint the chairman of the seven-member board of trustees. The Chairman and the other Trustees shall hold office for a period of three years. But the government may terminate the appointment of the Chairman or any other Trustee before the expiration of the term. READ: Parliament passes new budget of ‘lives and livelihoods’ The head office of the Board shall be at Jayag in the district of Noakhali. The regional office or branch can be set up in other places taking prior permission from the government.