NEW DELHI: The two-day international conference commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha has appealed to the United Nations to declare Mahatma Gandhi’s date of birth, October 2, as the International Non-violence Day. They have also asked for an international forum of civil society to tackle the problem of violence and to internationalise Gandhi. The declaration adopted by the conference, at its concluding session on Tuesday, also reaffirmed its commitment to Gandhi’s philosophy, maintaining it would remain relevant for all times to come.
The most eloquent tribute to Mahatma Gandhi came from Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. An associate of the legendary Nelson Mandela in South Africa’s long and painful battle against apartheid, he is also a living practitioner of Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and reconciliation and was instrumental in helping prevent South Africa from descending into a racial bloodbath after the end of the apartheid regime.
Tutu’s speech at the valedictory session elevated the conference to an altogether different level. Speaking with the conviction and the moral halo that he has come to acquire over the years, Tutu emphasised the key tenets of Gandhian philosophy of peace and non violence. “We can be safe, free, prosperous and human only so long as we remain together. There is no way we will win the war against terror till we treat others as rubbish,” he told the gathering.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used the occasion to underline the country’s commitment to the Gandhian values of pluralism and tolerance. “Our pluralism is our most enduring and biggest tribute to Gandhi. As long as the idea of India lives in our hearts and minds so will the legacy of the Mahatma,” said the Prime Minister.
Delegates from 90 different countries and 122 organisations took part in the two-day conference. Though the show was billed as an attempt to showcase Rahul Gandhi at an international fora, the member of parliament from Amethi maintained a low profile.
Sonia Gandhi played the genial host, spending time at each of the four panel discussions.
