New Delhi: Delhi University (DU) will celebrate 2009 as the anniversary of 'Hind Swaraj' - one of the thought provoking works of Mahatma Gandhi authored by him in 1909.

An action plan on the initiative, taken by the varsity's Gandhi Bhavan, has been drawn up on activities to be spread over the whole year.

"We held a meeting this past week on how to plan the centenary year celebrations. A number of schools, journalists and directors of Gandhi Bhavan across the country took part at the meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Deepak Pental. The Principal and teachers in-charge of the Gandhi study circle at different colleges also attended the brainstorming session", said Ashum Gupta, Director of Gandhi Bhavan at the University.

"Mahatma Gandhi's ideas are highly relevant these days", added Ashum Gupta.

The main purpose of all-the-year-long activity would be to actively involve the youth.

As part of the activities, students will serve as volunteers in and around the National Capital Region (NCR) to interact with the local people.

Quiz, essay writing, photo exhibition and painting exhibition on issues covered in Hind Swaraj will be organised first at the college level thereafter which the best entries will compete at the university level.

"The college level programmes will begin by October, while the final rounds will start next year. The main event that will kick off the centenary year celebrations will be an international seminar on Hind Swaraj", said Prof Gupta.