ROME -- The Indian Ambassador, Anil Wadhwa, celebrated the anniverary of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti at the ‘Gandhi Institute’ Secondary School in Narni, Umbria, the Embassy said. During the celebration Wednesday, over 900 students, along with their professors and local authorities took part in a wreath laying ceremony.

 Gandhi Institute is a state run Higher Secondary School located in the town of Narni, around 100 km north of Rome. The school was named after Mahatma Gandhi in 1987 to promote principles of non-violence and coexistence of different cultures.

 A bust of Gandhi, commissioned by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR, was installed Oct. 2, 2006 at the school. The school has been celebrating Gandhi Jayanti function -- the Indian annual festival held on Gandhis' birthday -- for the past 10 years in collaboration with the Embassy. Ambassador Wadhwa addressed 900 students of various schools in Narni gathered on this occasion.

 The function started with the wreath laying ceremony by Ambassador and the Principal of the school, Ms Anna Maria Amici. Representatives of local authorities and students placed floral tributes by the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. The choir of the school, headed by the music professor, accompanied the celebration with rendition of classical music. 

 The ambassador stressed the relevance of the values preached and embodied by Gandhi. His address was followed by speeches by representatives of local municipal and school authorities.

 The ceremony was followed by a conference on peace and disarmament and Question & Answer session.

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