Your letters: Advocacy for universal peace Your letters: Advocacy for universal peace

Your letters: Advocacy for universal peace

Your letters: Advocacy for universal peace

The Jakarta Post | Readers Forum | Thu, October 10 2013, 12:06 PM

This refers to the photo published under the title “Gandhi’s birth anniversary” (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 2)

This photo was circulated by the Associated Press from Bhubaneswar, India, the very day when the international community was celebrating the 144th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, which was proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence.

In Bangkok, a large commemoration of this event took place at the United Nations Conference Centre.

In a special presentation dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi as the leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy of non-violence, Rajni Bakshi, Gandhi Peace Fellow and the Indian Council for Global Relations, stated inter alia, from the perspective of non-violence: “Through the centuries and across diverse cultures there are many sources of inspiration. And yet, in our times, there is a pervasive faith and conviction that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a beacon for the present and future of the human race.”

Many years ago, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an Indian philosopher and President of India from 1962 to 1967, strongly emphasized that Gandhi was a prophet of a liberated life-wielding power over millions by virtue of his exceptional holiness and heroism. In the acid test of experience, he remains not a politician or a reformer, not a philosopher or a reformer, but someone composed of them all.

In the opinion of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mahatma Gandhi is a global giant for justice, respect for diversity and fundamental human rights. His legacy of non-violence still resonates. He showed the power of peacefully opposing oppression, injustice and hatred.

With such credentials, during the current turbulent times, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday celebration by 193 members of the United Nations under the motto of non-violence should further inspire and consolidate the fight for universal peace and pacific settlement of disputes.