PM hopes global community will rediscover relevance of Gandhi

NEW DELHI: As the world observes the first International Day of Non-Violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday hoped the global community will rediscover the relevance of the eternal message of Mahatma Gandhi for fighting conflict, violence and terrorism.

"Mahatma Gandhi's message of love and peace, of non- violence and satyagraha, of the equality of all people, of harmony between all religions, is a universal message. It is a message for all times, for all societies, for all peoples," he said on the occasion of the 138th Birth Anniversary.
   
The Prime Minister administerd a pledge epitomizing Gandhian values to the nation and released a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion.

Singh said the people of the country were proud and grateful that the international community has declared October two as the International Day of Non-Violence.

"This unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly originates in a declaration of the International Conference on Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment - Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st century, that met in New Delhi earlier this year," he said.

He said the conference, commemorating the centenary of the Satyagraha Movement launched by Gandhiji, underscored the universal relevance of his message of non-violence and the fight for truth.
   
"The decision was truly historic and universally welcomed. We are truly grateful to all those who supported this magnificent idea," he said.

The Prime Minister said as long as there was temptation in the human mind to resort to violence, "the Mahatma's message of non-violence will tug at our hearts".
    
Observing that Gandhi's philosophy has stood the test of time, he said it would continue to do so till humankind sought peace and equality of all. "Wherever and whenever injustice is redressed and freedom won through peaceful means, Gandhiji will be remembered," he said.

Singh said Gandhi had abiding regard for the dignity of labour and showed the meek the power they could conjure up from within them.

"Let us not forget that Gandhiji was not some lofty saint. He was a political leader. He was regarded as a Mahatma because he practised what he preached, because he cared for the poorest of the poor, the weakest of the weak," he said
    
Singh said Gandhiji's idea of communal harmony and non-violence continues to have great relevance "even in our present troubled age".
   
"As long as there is strife and injustice, as long as there is inequality and indignity in the human condition, as long as there is pain and suffering, as long as there is violence and hatred, the ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi will resonate and find followers," he added.

In the welcome address, Culture Minister Ambika Soni said intolerance, conflicts and hatred led to violence and terrorism and added that a solution had to be found out.
   
Union Ministers P R Dasmunsi, Shakee Ahmed, Prithvraj Chavan, former Prime Minister I K Gujral, Mahatma Gandhi's grand daughter Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee and senior officials were among those present on the occasion.