Guterres stresses relevance of Gandhian values of peace, justice

The UN representative to India, Shombi Sharp, on Wednesday said India was an important source of optimism in an increasingly conflict-ridden world.

Sharp was speaking at the 155th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti here. After reading out UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ message on the occasion, which the UN has marked as the International Day of Non-Violence since 2007, Sharp, interspersing his speech with chaste Hindi, said the very existence of the UN embodied Mahatma Gandhi’s vision.

“In these times of fragmentation and conflict, between people and with nature, we need this (Gandhi’s vision) more than ever. And India, connecting East and West, North and South through Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, is an important source of optimism,” he said.

The UN Resident Coordinator said, “India, with an immeasurable wealth of multicultural diversity, as a voice for climate justice and the greatest contributor to UN peacekeeping since the beginning, has emerged as an engine driving the Sustainable Development Goals and peace and security, here and on the global stage”.

“Aaj ke din, hum Bharat ko dil se dhanyavaad kehtey hain (today, we thank India with all our hearts),” Sharp said, quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless words—”Shaanti ke liye, koi raasta nahin hai. Shaanti hee raasta hai (there’s no way to peace; peace itself is the way).”

Earlier, Sharp read out the message of the UN Secretary General on the occasion. In his remarks, Guterres said, “On the International Day of Non-Violence, we commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and reaffirm the values to which he dedicated his life: equality, respect, peace and justice.”

He said the world today was bristling with violence. “Across the globe, conflicts are raging. From Ukraine to Sudan, the West Asia and far beyond, war is creating a hellscape of destruction, destitution and fear. Inequality and climate chaos are undermining the foundations of peace. And hate whipped up online is spilling over onto the streets,” the UN chief noted. He referred to last month’s “Summit of the Future” saying it offered hope.

“Countries came together to lay the groundwork for a renewed multilateralism, equipped to support peace in a changing world. That includes a renewed focus on the underlying causes of conflict—from inequality to poverty and division. Now, we need countries to transform those commitments into reality,” the message said.

Courtesy: The Tribune India :03rd Oct , 2024