International Non-violence Day Speech by Dr Ausaf Sayeed

Gandhi Jayanti is being observed all over the world for many decades as a tribute to such a noble and great soul as Mahatma Gandhi. However, this year the hearts of every Indian, in every corner of the world is filled with joy, at this great moment when the UNGA declared this auspicious day as the International Day of Non-Violence or to call it in the Indian terms, the Ahimsa Day.

On this memorable day I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the Indian nationals, PIOs and all peace lovers, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As you may be aware, the move to get the international community to pay tribute to Gandhi’s ideology was a follow-up to the Satyagraha Conference titled ‘Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment — Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century’, which was organised earlier this year wherein a call was made to initiate steps to get the Mahatma’s birthday marked as the International Day of Non-Violence.

It was a matter of great satisfaction that the resolution moved in the UN General Assembly by India was co-sponsored by as many as 120 of the total 191 members, including all major players of the world like the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and countries from subcontinent like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

The resolution stresses the need for non-violence, tolerance, full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect for diversity as reinforcements for peace and growth of mankind.

Mahatma Gandhi’s novel mode of mass mobilization and non-violent action brought down colonialism, strengthened the roots of popular sovereignty, of civil, political and economic rights, and greatly influenced many a freedom struggle and inspired leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.

On this memorable day, the UN SG Ban Ki-Moon said that Mahatma Gandhi's inspiration is needed now more than ever. Mr Ban said: "May it help spread Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence to an ever wider audience, and hasten a time when every day is a day of non-violence."

Indeed, Gandhiji’s message is more important today than ever before since nations across the world continue to grapple with the threat of conflict, violence and terrorism. For as long as there is temptation to resort to violence in the human mind, the Mahatma’s message of non-violence will touch our hearts.

I would like to conclude by reminding you of the pledge taken by Mahatma Gandhi’s and administered again today to the Nation by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and I quote:

“I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability, or the curse of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men. We shall be at peace with all the rest of the world. This is the India of my dreams.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us all salute this extraordinary statesman and leader who has transformed the ideology and thought processes across the globe for all times to come.

Jai Hind!