On the 15th June of the current year United Nations decided to observe the International Day of Non-Violence on 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi.
It was in a way the official ratification by the world body, of the relevance of the Gandhian ways in the modern society, which is still grappling with violence and economic disparities all over the globe.
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.
This move to get the world community together in paying tribute to the unflinching faith in non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi came after the developments which happened after the Satyagraha conference held by Congress this year and the campaign followed by the Government in this regard.
The idea, originally gained ground when Sonia Gandhi in the month of January this year, speaking at a conference titled ?Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment – Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century? in New Delhi called for steps to get Mahatma Gandhi?s birthday marked as the international day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi who is better known throughout the world as a freedom fighter of the sub-continent who led the unarmed masses to raise their voice for freedom against the powerful and armed establishment in whose empire it was said the Sun never set. The adoption of his birthday as an International Day for Non-Violence is yet another stamp on his ideas which endeavoured to fight for the poorest of the poor in the most democratic ways.
Today when the world is armed with the most destructible weapons which can wipe out human civilization in a matter of hours and the world progress is challenged by the ever increasing gaps between the rich and poor where equitable distribution of wealth still remains an unfulfilled dream, this declaration can be said to have come at the most appropriate time.
As Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, Shri Md. Ali Ashraf Fatmi says, that the country is still being guided by the ways of the Mahatma Gandhi when it comes to the development of human resources.
Mr Fatmi says like yesterday Gandhi is relevant even today and will remain so in the times to come. ?His ideas of education kept all the oppressed and disadvantaged sections of the society in mind. We are following in his footsteps by making provisions of higher education to the greater number of people with each passing year,? the minister elaborated.
He also added that the country?s Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (India’s flagship programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education) is also guided by the Gandhian values wherein the programme strives to provide the basic education to all including the downtrodden sections of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled tribes and the minorities.
?We are trying to increase the infrastructure in all aspects to make the dreams of Gandhi come true, who, earnestly desired all his countrymen to be educated and hence empowered ? Fatmi said.