International Day of Non-Violence Image: The UN tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
October 2 is marked as International day of non-violence every year by the United Nations. Mahatma Gandhi gave the world the philosophy of non-violence or Ahimsa. It was Mahatma Gandhi’s firm belief that only a non-violent movement can achieve the highest goal of freedom. “Non-violence is the greatest force available to mankind. It is more powerful than the most powerful weapon of destruction devised by human ingenuity,” Mahatma Gandhi said.
The United Nations General Assembly, in a resolution of June 15, 2007, commemorated the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence. The UN said the goal for the day is “to spread the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.”
International Day of Non-Violence 2020: What the United Nations Said
“On this International Day of Non-Violence, I reiterate my call for a global ceasefire. Making this a reality before the end of the year would alleviate suffering, help reduce the risk of famine, and create space for peace negotiations. It is time to step up our efforts, ”said UN chief Antonio Guterres.
On this International Day of Non-Violence, I reiterate my call for a global ceasefire.
Making this a reality before the end of the year would alleviate suffering, help reduce the risk of famine and create space for negotiations towards peace.
Now is the time to step up our efforts. pic.twitter.com/BI06r7USsh
– António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 2, 2020
International Day of Non-Violence: Quote from Mahatma Gandhi on Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
- “Ahimsa is the most powerful force known”
- “Ahimsa means infinite love, which again means infinite capacity to suffer”
- “Ahimsa is not a simple question of dialectic: it transcends it”
- “Ahimsa is an attribute of the brave. Cowardice and ahimsa are no more together than water and fire.”
- “Ahimsa and love are one and the same”
- “Ahimsa and Truth are so closely related that it is virtually impossible to disentangle and separate them”
- “Ahimsa is my God, and the truth is my God”
- “Truth and ahimsa will never be destroyed”
- “The suppression of untouchability is one of the highest expressions of ahimsa”
- “Whatever strength of the masses is entirely due to ahimsa, however imperfect or defective its practice may be”
- “The scriptures of Christians, Muslims and Hindus are all filled with the teaching of Ahimsa”
