UN chief highlights relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violence

The United Nations:

The 151st anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth is a timely reminder to strive to uphold his values, UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Friday as diplomats around the world stressed the importance of Gandhi’s principles to justice and equality for all on the occasion of the International Day of Non-Violence.

UN Secretary-General Guterres, in his video message, said: “Marking Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, this International Day highlights the remarkable power of non-violence and peaceful protest.

“It is also a timely reminder to strive to uphold the values ​​Gandhi lived – the promotion of dignity, equal protection for all and communities living together in peace.”

India’s Permanent Mission to the UN hosted the virtual celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence and the culmination of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Gandhi’s birth.

The special commemoration included a video showing the reactions of UN diplomats in the Security Council to Gandhi’s assassination. He also showed images of world leaders, including former US President Barack Obama, citing Gandhi’s principles and ideologies in their speeches to the United Nations General Assembly over the years.

India’s Permanent Representative to United Nations Ambassador TS Tirumurti said: “When we view Gandhi primarily as the apostle of peace and non-violence, I think we will miss it. This is because we are not discussing nonviolence. In a vacuum. “

Mr. Tirumurti said that Gandhi’s ultimate goal was truth and he realized that only the search for the truth could lead to true non-violence.

“Just like for him, non-violence itself has become the search for truth,” he said, adding that Gandhi did not see political freedom as the only freedom for which it was worth striving for. fight “but was involved with equal fervor and conviction in the liberation of human beings from all forms of bondage and injustice.”

Tirumurti stressed that for Gandhi, non-violence was not simply the absence of violence but non-violence was a weapon to fight injustice, both internal and external.

Guterres said that in this year’s celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence, nations have a special duty: “to stop the fighting to focus on our common enemy COVID-19. There is only one left. only one winner of the conflict during a pandemic – the virus itself. “

During the special virtual commemoration, many UN Permanent Representatives spoke about Gandhi’s legacy and his principles of equality and justice.

US Envoy to UN Ambassador Kelly Craft said Gandhi’s life and teachings are as relevant today as they were during India’s struggle for independence and that his message of non-violence has long resonated with the American people.

“Gandhi, we can truly use your presence today. Fortunately, your inspiration and guidance still resonates around the world. Gandhi’s message of love, unity, compassion and tolerance is needed more than ever.” in a world full of politics, social and economic challenges.

“This is especially true in 2020 as we fight an unprecedented pandemic and witness autocratic governments in Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the torture and murder of dissidents. and the violent repression of peaceful protests, ”she said.

“We are all suffering the devastating effects of COVID-19. Gandhi’s message of compassion and sacrifice to improve the lives of our neighbors rings louder than ever, ”she said.

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Rabab Fatima, said it was a “happy coincidence” that her country is celebrating the centenary of the birth of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman this year.

“Gandhiji’s love for the good of ordinary people and his ideals of non-violence also influenced Bangabandhu and his lifelong struggle to bring justice and freedom to his people,” she said.

Japan’s UN envoy Ishikane Kimihiro said Gandhiji’s philosophy of “Sarvodaya” – the well-being of all and “Antyodaya” – leaving no one behind now takes the form of the Sustainable Development Goals .

“Today, the challenges we face are greater than ever, in diversity and magnitude, due to the COVID-19 crisis,” he said, adding that human security is at stake in due to the pandemic and that the international community should unite to keep ‘Sarvodaya’ and ‘Antyodaya’ in mind.

Sri Lanka’s envoy to the UN Kshenuka Senewiratne said that “Gandhi’s timeless thought, principles and philosophy of non-violence have left an indelible mark across the world, shaping the way we seek to resolve conflicts, overcome hatred and promote justice. “

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said that throughout his life Gandhi had remained “committed to his belief in non-violence even under a brutal oppressive regime and in the face of apparently challenges. insurmountable “.

Permanent Representative of Maldives to the UN Thilmeeza Hussain said: “What is the significance of Satyagraha in these times when the multilateral perspective is being tested by pandemic, conflict and climate change. What would Gandhiji say about the world so prone to disintegration precisely when unity is needed. “

She added that this is precisely the time nations need to foster trust and collaboration between countries and “re-engage in multilateralism.”

UN envoys to Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Bhutan, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, South Africa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also spoke during the special commemoration

(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)