World marks Gandhi’s sesquicentennial

New Delhi, Oct 2 : From schoolchildren in Kazakhstan drawing pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, to Lebanon issuing a commemorative stamp on him, to walks for peace and tolerance held in many cities, the world paid tribute to Gandhi on his sesquicentennial in various ways.

The Nobel Prize Foundation tweeted a quote of Gandhi: "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."

"Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on what would have been his 150th birthday.

Gandhi was nominated for the #NobelPeacePrize on 12 occasions," it said.

Clarence House, the British royal residence, tweeted: "Today marks 150 years since Mahatma Gandhi's birth," and attached a message from the Prince of Wales celebrating Gandhi's life and contribution to people all across the world.

"Gandhi's message of peace and non-violence, tolerance and forgiveness, and love for the whole of humanity, are every bit as powerful and relevant in today's world as they were in his lifetime.

India was blessed to have such a man as one of their own, and his example has inspired countless millions.

Gandhi's remarkable life was a gift to all humankind, which is truly worthy of global celebration on his 150th anniversary of his birth," the message read.

Greenpeace tweeted: "150 years and the peace and teachings of #MahatmaGandhi still ring true.

#MahatmaGandhi's message of non-violence (and) his views on environment transcends boundaries. Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th Birth Anniversary. This Gandhi Jayanti, take a stand for what is right and protect India's environment," it said.

Schoolchildren in Kazakhstan drew pictures of Mahatma Gandhi to celebrate his life.

In a special function, the Lebanese government released a commemorative stamp on Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian embassy in Beirut tweeted.

In Dubai, a four-km Walk for Peace and Tolerance witnessed great enthusiasm among people from all walks of life to pay their homage to Gandhi, the consul general in Dubai tweeted, with videos and pictures.

At the British High Commission in New Delhi, the staff members sang Gandhi's favourite bhajan "Vaishnav Jan To" and posted a video of it on Twitter.

UNESCO tweeted a saying of Gandhi, "Truth alone will endure, all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time".

It also urged people to join it on a dialogue about education, peace and development with a hologram of #Gandhi.

The Indian embassy in the US tweeted urging people to attend an exhibition that the life and message of Mahatma Gandhi at Whittall Pavilion to celebrate the "momentous occasion".

US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster tweeted: "Honored to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of #MahatmaGandhi in the company of United States @SenatorMenendez.

(Senator Bob Menendez US Senator from New Jersey is visiting India).

"#Gandhi's profound influence on Dr.

Martin Luther King and his tremendous contributions to mankind will never be forgotten. #USIndia #GandhiAt150 #GandhiJiyanti," he posted.

The Indian High Commission in South Africa tweeted that inter-faith prayer meetings were organised in different cities of South Africa at 9 a.m.

to mark the occasion. "Amid soulful renditions of Vaishnava Jana Toh a fitting tribute was paid by people from all communities to the life and work of the Great Soul," it said.

The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi tweeted that the roadway leading to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is named as Honorary Mahatma Gandhi Way.

The US Consulate in Mumbai tweeted a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr.

and his wife Coretta Scott King as they laid a wreath at Rajghat during a visit to India in 1959 with the hashtag #MahatmaGandhi #Gandhi150.

The UN mission in India tweeted that Gandhi "promoted non-violence not just as philosophy and a political strategy, but as a means to achieve justice and change.

Indeed, many of his ideas foreshadow the holistic thinking behind the 2030 Agenda."

--IANS

rn/kr.



Source: IANS