Pune: A series of prayers, peace marches, dialogues and community programmes began on Thursday to mark Gandhi Jayanti in the city on Friday.At Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Gandhi Bhavan, Kothrud, a week-long Gandhi Week has started from Oct 1 to 7. It will feature lectures, discussions, cultural programmes and films on Gandhi’s ideas, social movements, democracy and the environment.“The programmes would include prayers and bhajans followed by a peace march. We have been looking forward to participating in the various discussions taking place as well,” said Shraddha Jadhav, a Kothrud resident. Several other residents are also planning cleanliness drives. “We have planned to get children of the society together and conduct cleanliness drives in and around our locality to celebrate the occasion,” Vasudha Kulkarni, a resident of Wanowrie, told TOI.In another part of the city, at Aga Khan Palace, a heritage walk is scheduled in the morning, taking participants through the palace’s connection with Gandhi and the Quit India Movement.“We would explore the palace and brief participants about the Quit India Movement and Gandhi’s stay in Pune during this 1.5-hour walk. We usually have around 20 participants for the walk,” said Randhir Naidu, who runs Deccan Drifts.Pune Animal Liberation (PAL), an animal rights organisation, will hold a citywide Satyagraha march to liberate animals. The march will be held from Gandhi Bhavan to Aga Khan Palace. It will include public speeches, chalk art and street outreach conversations.Around 70–80 citizens are likely to participate, and PAL will also submit its memorandum of demands to the district collector Jitendra Dudi. Gajanan Thorase, a resident of Hadapsar, said, “I plan to participate in one of the Gandhian walks on Friday. I appreciate the Gandhian principles and philosophy and would love to know more about his life in Pune.”Safar Chhand plans another walk to explore iconic food outlets in the city on Friday. Some of these outlets date back to the pre-independence era. Parag Magar, the organiser, said, “Participants will discover food places and old eateries on foot. Celebrities and politicians have frequented many of these places over the years. We will also be sharing old stories about Pune and Peth areas.”
