Insightful lectures on Gandhian ideals and philosophy, an exhibition of rare photographs and videos of Gandhi&’s Peace Mission in Noakhali accompanied by soul stirring choir performance by school students marked the commemoration of the 70th year of Noakhali Peace March at an event here.

Organised by the New Delhi chapter of Sarvodaya International Trust, the event ‘Non-Violence in Action: Gandhiji&’s Peace Mission in Noakhali’ took place at the India International Centre. Gandhi&’s favourite bhajans, including Raghupati raghav raja ram and Rabindra Nath Tagore&’s Ekla chalo re recited by students of Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan, set the tone of the event.

Speaking on the occasion, renowned psycho analyst Dr. Alok Bajpai on Wednesday said, “Noakhali was a litmus test for Gandhi. At the age of 77, he bravely walked the riot affected villages of East Bengal to test the validity of his faith in non-violence and communal harmony.”

“Ahimsa (non-violence) wasn’t just a tool of protest for Gandhi. He was living ahimsa (non-violence) from within,” Bajpai said while showcasing a video footage.

“Bapu knew this country better than anybody else. In his mind, national respect was most important. He wanted a non-violent society, different from the other nations. But, this country hasn’t truly paid justice to him and his ideals,” he added.

Citing the particular incident when Mir Alam, a Pathan physically assaulted Gandhi in South Africa and instead of fearing for his life, Gandhi was more concerned about not abhorring his assaulter, Bajpai underlined how Bapu inculcated the virtues of fearlessness, compassion and love for the enemy within himself over a period of time.

Corroborating Bajpai&’s views, Jyoti Bose, trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust, and director, Springdales Schools recalled how Gandhi visited 47 villages bare-foot in four months in the riot-hit Noakhali region.

“Now, we need to look beyond ourselves in search of a humane society which we as citizens must build brick by brick,” she said.

Award-winning journalist, Madhukar Upadhyay, stressed that respecting Gandhi wasn’t enough and it was time that countrymen started following his teachings and principles earnestly.

“Truth, non-violence, compassion and communal harmony were Bapu&’s philosophy. Today, I wish Gandhi is not just respected by the countrymen, but his ideals and principles are paid attention to and followed also,” he said.

A rare video of the Noakhali Yatra (march) where Gandhi was joined by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru along with audio clips of Gandhi&’s speeches, interesting write-ups on his experiences in Noakhali, and photographs of Gandhi with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Abha Gandhi, Sushila Nayyar, Sucheta Kripalani and the riot victims were displayed at an exhibition inaugurated by director of National Gandhi Museum, A. Annamalai.

The photo exhibition will be on display till October 3, 2015.