United Nations:
UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres underscored Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violence, peace and equality as he voiced deep concern over a world “bristling with violence” and conflicts raging from Ukraine to the Center East.
“On the Worldwide Day of non-violence, we commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and reaffirm the values to which he devoted his life: equality, respect, peace and justice,” Mr Guterres mentioned in his message for the day, commemorating Gandhi’s birthday on October 2.
Voicing concern that the world at this time is bristling with violence, Mr Guterres mentioned throughout the globe, conflicts are raging.
“From Ukraine to Sudan, the Center East and much past, conflict is making a hellscape of destruction, destitution and worry. Inequality and local weather chaos are undermining the foundations of peace. And hate whipped up on-line is spilling over onto the streets,” he mentioned.
The UN chief underscored that Gandhi believed non-violence was the best pressure out there to humanity, extra highly effective than any weapon. He known as on the worldwide group to collectively construct establishments to “assist that noble imaginative and prescient.” A particular occasion was deliberate on Wednesday on the UN headquarters titled ‘Gandhian Values and UN Constitution’, organised by the Everlasting Mission of India to the UN to commemorate the Worldwide Day of Non-Violence.
Throughout that occasion, Ivor Fung, Chef de Cupboard of the President of the 79th session of the United Nations Common Meeting Philemon Yang, mentioned that Gandhi’s life stands as a robust testomony to the effectiveness of peaceable protests, inspiring individuals internationally, significantly in Asia and Africa.
Delivering a message on behalf of Yang, Mr Fung mentioned that leaders equivalent to Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr have been deeply influenced by Gandhi’s idea of ‘Satyagraha’.
“Because the world endures a turbulent interval with conflicts raging in Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Mahatma’s message of peace resonates extra strongly than ever,” he mentioned.
Mr Fung known as on members of the worldwide group to not solely honour the values that Gandhi embodied however reaffirm “our dedication to the ideas enshrined within the Constitution of the United Nations.
“Allow us to resolve to finish battle, halt violence, shield human rights and try for a extra simply and equitable world. By doing so, we feature ahead the legacy of Gandhi and the founders of the United Nations, shaping a future the place peace and justice prevail.”
In his handle, India’s Everlasting Consultant to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish mentioned that at this time when the world grapples with violence, armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, the beliefs of non-violence, dialogue and tolerance, promulgated by Gandhi proceed to “information our actions in making certain peace and stability all over the world.” Earlier within the day, Harish paid floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the North Lawns of the United Nations.
He mentioned the bust “stands as a reminder to humanity to observe his beliefs in letter and spirit and to create a greater and peaceable world, which is a elementary goal of the United Nations.” Harish confused that the story of India displays Mahatma Gandhi’s perception that power comes from righteousness, not pressure; that energy comes from reality, not may, and that victory comes from ethical braveness, not imposed submission.
Harish mentioned that at this time’s commemoration “helps us in reflecting on the life” of Gandhi and reaffirming the common relevance of the precept of non-violence to safe a tradition of peace, of tolerance and understanding all over the world.
Addressing the particular occasion, Sri Lanka’s Everlasting Consultant to the United Nations Ambassador Mohan Pieris mentioned that the present-day world is passing by way of a interval of transition.
“Unimaginable modifications have been witnessed these previous years,” he mentioned.
Pieris drew a comparability between the “highest values which were prescribed for humanity by one of many biggest of humankind and an entity which has been created by we the individuals in a Constitution with the intention to uphold the very best values of freedom for humankind within the hope of making certain that we dwell in peace and in dignity.” Pieris mentioned that the UN Constitution’s give attention to the peaceable decision of conflicts and the prevention of wars “mirrors Gandhi’s lifelong dedication to resolving disputes by way of dialogue and non-violent means.” He mentioned that Gandhi’s precept of ‘Ahimsa’, non-violence in thought, phrase and motion is foundational to his worldview.
Non-violence is a way of life in concord with others.
“Now, while you distinction that with Article 1 of the UN Constitution, it stresses the significance of sustaining worldwide peace and safety by way of peaceable means, mirroring, I say, Gandhi’s advocacy for non-violent decision.” Pieris highlighted that Gandhi’s philosophy instantly has a profound affect on the founding values of the United Nations, and has continued to encourage worldwide actions.
He nonetheless famous that whereas Gandhian values align with the UN Constitution, “some critics argue that the worldwide system, together with the United Nations, typically prioritises Western political and financial pursuits which can battle with Gandhian imaginative and prescient of decentralised energy and financial independence.” He mentioned that because the UN continues its efforts in direction of international peace and justice, the ideas of nonviolence, reality, and equality as espoused by Gandhi stay essential in shaping a extra simply and sustainable future.
The UN observes the Worldwide Day of Non-Violence on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
In response to the Common Meeting decision of June 2007, which established the commemoration, the Worldwide Day is an event to “disseminate the message of non-violence, together with by way of schooling and public consciousness”.
The decision reaffirms “the common relevance of the precept of non-violence” and the will “to safe a tradition of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
