UN event in Geneva marks Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary

The event, titled "Celebration of International Day of Non-Violence: Preventing Human Rights Abuses and Violations Through Education on the Principles of Non-Violence," was organised by RADDHO, Interfaith International, Brahma Kumaris and other NGOs. Diplomats, civil society representatives and international observers attended the gathering, reported ANI.

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness".

The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence", reads the UN website.

Biro Diawara, Representative of RADDHO and Interfaith International, highlighted the importance of the day and told ANI: "Since the adoption of the resolution by General Assembly in 15 June 2007, we started to initiate from our organisation Interfaith International the celebration of International Day... Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is the same International Day of Non-Violence. The message is to promoting education, primary school on the principal of Non-Violence, to promoting Mahatma Gandhi philosophy."

"God created him, he born in India, but his spirit is universal. Mahatma Gandhi is a patrimony of world universal values. And all nations, people, he inspired," he said.