A Day of Truth in Pudukkottai -The Gandhian Festival

Pudukkottai breathed Gandhi on that 2nd October morning.

The All India Mahatma Gandhi Social Welfare Association marked its _23rd Annual Gandhian Festival_ — not as a ritual, but as a reminder.

At 9 a.m., the town gathered at Gandhi Park. A garland was offered to the Mahatma, and from his silence, a march began. It was not just a procession of people; it was a procession of ideals.

The gathering at the Municipal Hall was led by the Founder-President, _Vaira. Na. Dinakaran_ — a man who still believes that service is the only prayer.

The Association's _Malar_ was unveiled by Dr. M. Palaniappan_, Principal, Government Arts College, Thirumayam, whose words echoed the spirit of Nai Talim.

The soul of the day was the Gandhian Seminar.

_Dr. A. Palanisamy_ of Bharathidasan University spoke on _'Our Association in National Welfare'_ — how a nation lives only when its villages live.

_Chinnaya Natesan_ spoke on _'Our Association in Natural Welfare'_ — reminding us that to exploit nature is to exploit ourselves, a truth Gandhi foresaw.

Then came the moment of honouring the true Satyagrahis of our times.

The _Gandhian Award for Selfless Service_ was conferred upon:

_Shri A. Vedarethinam_, Vedaranyam Kasturba Gurukulam, and

_Shri Sevai K. Govindarajan_, Trichy.

In recognition of their dedicated service to society through art and social work, Shri M. Valli Narayanan_ and renowned stage drama actor Shri Kaviraj were also honoured on the occasion.

The awards and prizes to the young winners were presented by former Vice-Chancellor of Alagappa University, _Dr. S. Subbiah_, who reminded the students that education without character is no education at all.

The cultural programme by school students, woven around Gandhian values, was deeply appreciated — innocence interpreting truth with song and dance.

What followed was a simple yet delicious lunch, enjoyed by all, served with the same discipline and grace that marked the entire proceedings.

All the participants, including _Padma Shri Subburaman_, lauded the organizers for conducting the festival in such an elaborate manner, with mass discipline and clockwork punctuality.

The day ended as Gandhi would have loved it to end — with the songs and smiles of students, and a quiet confluence of Gandhians and social workers, sharing not just tea, but dreams of a better India.

It was not a festival. It was a vow, renewed.* Govin