Mandalay Regional Government, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust (New) organized a Sandalwood Tree Planting Ceremony near the East of the moat in Mandalay in commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. 

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Ye Lwin, Mayor & Minister for Development Affairs, Mandalay Region Government, Mr. Nandan Singh Bhaisora, Consul General of India, U Maung Shwe, Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust (New), members of the Trust and various prominent Community Leaders.  Mayor in his speech said that he was very happy to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who has been a great leader and it was very auspicious to have a plant in his memory in this prominent place and also, prior to this Mandalay had rain, according to a press release. 

Consul General thanked the Chief Minister, Mayor and the entire Mandalay Region Government for this gesture of organizing the Tree Planting Ceremony. The Consulate has been organizing a number of events during the last one year; he also mentioned about the recently released commemorative postal stamp, cultural performance - Mahatmarpan: A Musical Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi attended by more than 1,000 people at the National Theatre, Mandalay;

Gandhi Ji is a global icon of peace, truth and non-violence; he is a man for all times and all ages and stands an example for humanity across the globe, his thoughts on various issues like truth, non-violence, unity, human values, empowerment of women’s right, tolerance, simple living, Panchayati Raj (building self-sufficient communities), primary education, etc. need to be followed; these are all the more relevant today when the world is facing the issues of economic inequality, climate change, terrorism, inequality, injustice, and so on.  He also mentioned about the visits of Mahatma Gandhi to Burma and how these experiences became an inspiration for him; certainly, by planting this tree it would remind us of the ideals that he tried to achieve in his life and certainly this event will go a long way in strengthening the cultural bonds between the people of India and Myanmar and lead its people to a better life, peace, prosperity, happiness and economic growth. 

At the event, Professor Khin Maung Cho, Member of the Trust also made a speech. Thereafter, the Sandalwood Tree was planted by Mayor, Consul General, Chairman of the Trust and other dignitaries.