MEMORIALS
Gandhi Darshan Samiti, New Delhi Gandhi Darshan Samiti Exhibition was set up during 1969 with a view
to propagating the life and ideals of the Father of the Nation through visual
displays, exhibitions, seminars, cultural and educational programmes, be-
sides maintaining and running pavilions. On 2nd October, 1970 this Exhibi-
tion was reopened to the public under the aegis of the Gandhi Darshan
Samiti. The Exhibition aims at educating the general public about the signi-
ficance of Gandhiji's mission for socioeconomic and moral uplift of the
nation while ensuring universal peace, harmony and cooperation. It also
organises special programmes on days of national importance, which include
periodical exhibitions, cultural performances, educational programmes,
seminars, on the spot essay, art and music competitions for school and
college students. Free film shows are held on these days for groups of
school and college students or tourists and also, on request, on any working
day.
Visitors The number of visitors to Gandhi Darshan during the period April 1 to
November 30, 1983 on an average, came to about 332 persons per working
day. On special occasions like Gandhi Jayanti Day and on the day of
conferences etc., the number of visitors goes up in thousands.
Pavilions As in the past, more emphasis was given to keep the pavilions and the
surroundings neat and tidy and offer good guide service to the public. Old
and faded photographs were replaced by new ones and also some new
exhibits and appropriate photographs were added. A new pavilion called
"Hall of Nation Builders" was inaugurated by the Working Chairman,
Gandhi Darshan Samiti. This pavilion houses photographs of eminent
educationists, social reformers and prominent freedom fighters, who played
a leading role in building a strong India in various spheres.
Taking Gandhi to Schools On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti on 1st October, 1983 a students' silent
rally was organised, in which more than 3,000 boys and girls drawn from
various schools of Delhi participated. This rally passed through important
areas of Delhi and was addressed by Shri Jagpravesh Chandra, Chief
Executive Councillor, Delhi, at the premises of Gandhi Darshan.
With a view enabling the students gain a fairly good knowledge about
the life and teachings of Gandhiji, a General Knowledge Test was held on
30th November, 1983 in which 23,652 students from 245 schools and 225
students from 35 colleges from all over Delhi participated.
Weekly coaching classes were held at the premises of Gandhi Darshan
for the benefit of interested students during the months of September-
October-November, 1983.
Youth Training Programme On 30th September, 1983 a Quiz Programme (Prashonuttar Manch) was
organised, in which 16 teams from different colleges of Delhi participated.
The winning teams were awarded coupons for purchasing khadi cloth from
Punjab Khadi Bhandar, New Delhi.
Camps were organised in Gandhi Darshan premises for college students
with a view to making them understand the dignity of labour and arousing
interest for the study of Gandhian literature. One hundred and thirty five
students from 3 colleges participated in the programme.
Temporary exhibitions Were organised in colleges and a special exhibition
Art & Exhibition on Gandhiji was arranged at the Embassy of USSR.
The Gandhi Darshan participated in the Gandhi Mela organised annual-
ly by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at the Red Fort, The Gandhi
130
Mandap depicting the. life and works of Gandhiji through; Pictures, Paint-
ings, charts etc. was visited by lakhs of people during the period from 20th
September to 2nd October, 1983.
Nav Nalanda Mahavihara & Huen- The Huen-T-Sang Memorial Hall at Nalanda, is being constructed by
T-Sang Memorial Hall, Nalanda the Government through C.P.W.D. The building is likely to be completed
this year. A proposal of merger of these two institutions is under con-
sideration of the Government of India in consultation with the State Gov-
ernment of Bihar.
131