Mahatma Gandhi: A Global Ambassador for Non-Violence

Jaya Laxmi writes: Mahatma Gandhi and his world-recognized initiatives for establishment of peace and non-violence are no more confined to India and its people alone with the whole humanity across the globe resolving to follow his footprints in letter and spirit. The first official move came from United Nations General Assembly, which in 2007 had declared the observance of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s birthday on 2nd of October every year as the International Day of Non-Violence. Two years later, the second move comes from another world body, UNESCO, which is all set to approve New Delhi’s proposal for having an UNESCO Category-I Institute to be named after Mahatma Gandhi. Thus India is poised to become the first country in Asia to have such an institute to promote the peace efforts of the Father of the Nation. The Executive Body of UNESCO has approved India’s proposal to set up Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. This will be the first Category –I Institute of UNESCO to be established in the Asia Pacific Region. At present, there are eleven UNESCO Category-I institutes and except three of them, all are located in developed countries and none is located in Asia. The overall focus of the activities of the proposed Institute will be on fostering a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights. The decision is being viewed as a historic one reinforcing India’s key role in UNESCO and its leadership position in building the defences of peace in the minds of the people. The proposal will be formally approved by the General Conference of UNESCO in its 35th Session, to be held from 6 – 23 October, 2009 at its headquarters in Paris. The celebration of the 140th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year is poised for a big leap with the Comity of Nations joining the celebrations of the mega event for the third consecutive year in recognition of his role in promoting the message of peace around the world. The UN resolution in 2007 stressed that non-violence, tolerance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect for diversity are interlinked and reinforcing. The world body’s move to recognize the life-long struggle by the Father of the Nation in spreading the message of peace, harmony and non-violence, is in the right direction and comes at a time when the Comity of Nations is riddled with violent conflicts and growing terrorist activities.
Gandhism, Truth, Simplicity & Religion
Gandhi dedicated his whole life to the wider purpose of discovering truth or Satya. Truth in Gandhi’s philosophy is “God.” His simplicity shown in his simple lifestyle, his dress advocating the use of homespun Khadi by the spinning wheel. He believed all religions to be equal and at the core of every religion was truth and love.
Gandhi & Non-Violence
Non-Violence and Truth were his time-tested weapons throughout his life and he had applied them meticulously even in the extreme situations. He lived on a simple vegetarian diet and fasts rigorous for long periods, for both self-purification and protest in support of his justified demands. By means of a hunger strike, Gandhi had helped bringing about India’s Independence from British Rule, inspiring colonial people to work for their own independence and ultimately dismantle the British Empire. Gandhi’s principle of Satyagraha (truth force) has inspired generations of democratic and anti-racist activists including Martin Luther King Junior and Nelson Mandela. He had often stated that his values were simple, drawn from traditional belief – Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence). Gandhi’s philosophies and his ideas of truth and non-violence had the influence of the Bhagvad Gita and the writings of Leo Tolstoy. He was also inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s famous essay on Civil Disobedience.
Gandhi & Non-Cooperation
Gandhi used two other powerful tools, Non-cooperation and peaceful resistance, in his fight against injustice. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of civilians in Punjab, which followed violence thereafter was the eye-opener for Gandhi that led him to demand a complete self-government and control of all Indian government institutions into Swaraj or complete individual, spiritual and political independence. Of late, there has been a noticeable trend among leaders across the globe showing keen interest in the non-violent methods to address problems, they are truly following Gandhi in letter and spirit and this is perhaps the reason that led the United Nations to adopt the resolution to observe his birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi & South Africa
The civil Rights movement launched by Gandhi in South Africa was a major turning point in Gandhi’s life as he had faced the discrimination commonly directed at blacks and Indians. The incidents like throwing off a train, not allowing him to travel by stagecoach and barring him from entering into several places, had changed him totally. Gandhi extended his period of stay in South Africa only to assist Indians in opposing a bill to deny them the right to vote. Though he failed to halt the passage of the bill, his campaign was most successful in drawing the attention to the grievances of Indians in South Africa. He founded the National Indian Congress in 1894, and through this, he moulded the Indian community of South Africa into a homogeneous political force.
Celebrations In India And Abroad
Enthused by the developments across the globe, at home, the government has decided to observe Gandhi Jayanti in a big way this year. Several states including Delhi are organizing Gandhi Jayanti Melas by offering heavy discount on Khadi clothes, handicrafts, free health check ups and encouraging measures to ensure cleanliness and sanitation. The United Nations is releasing a stamp on Gandhi on his birthday to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence. The Association of World Without Wars (WWW), which works to promote and foster activities potential of helping put an end to war in the world, is organizing a long World Peace March in New Zealand on 2nd October this year to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence. The three-month long March will conclude in Argentina on 2nd January 2010 with the participation of people across the globe.