Remarks of Ambassador of India to Venezuela H.E. Mr.
Abhishek Singh on the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Square,
Caricuao on 2 October, 2022
His Excellency Carlos Rafael
Faria Tortosa, Foreign Minister of Venezuela
Her Excellency Capaya Rodriguez, Vice Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
Representatives of local Community Council,
Members of the Indian community in Venezuela,
Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me,
at the outset, convey our sincere greetings to all on the 153rd
birth anniversary of the father of my nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is also a matter of great happiness for
all of us that once again we are celebrating Gandhiji’s birth anniversary
during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is the celebration of India’s
independence. We also recall that it was
under the guidance and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi that countless millions of
Indians joined the freedom struggle and attained independence for my country.
Today we also remember all the freedom fighters.
2. I am truly privileged to be at the Gandhi
Square in Caricuao for the third time during my tenure in Venezuela. In fact, I always look forward to coming to
Caricuao not only to meet and greet the very hospitable people, but also to
seek the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi at this famous Gandhi Square. The occasion of the celebrations of the birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is one for deep reflection of the continued relevance
of his philosophy as also the abiding need to spread Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless
philosophy of Ahimsa or non-violence.
3. Since March 2020, the world has witnessed
unprecedented disruptions due to Covid-19.
The pandemic has further strengthened the resolve of the world to
discard any divisive ideas and to adopt, for all times to come, ideals of peace
and unity.
Friends,
4. While fighting against what seemed to
many at that time a daunting task, Gandhiji stuck to the ideals of non-violence
and did not compromise the same to achieve quick results. Gandhiji always believed in the philosophy of
‘simple living and high thinking’ and not the other way around. During the Covid pandemic, the world has
realized that we have to live within our limited means. In the initial part of the pandemic, when
movement was highly restricted, the world was also forced to restrict the use
of material goods which one took for granted.
Gandhiji had always laid emphasis on ‘to be guided by one’s need and not
by one’s greed’.
Amigos,
5. Government of India, under the visionary
leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took upon itself the task
of not only to take care of the 1.3 billion people living in India, but also to
do its utmost for the people across the world.
Be it the supply of vaccines as part of ‘Vaccine Maitri’ or supply of
Covid-related medicines during the initial phase of the pandemic. In fact, one of my first duties as Ambassador
was to hand over 4 tons of Covid-related medicines to the Government and the
people of Venezuela in August 2020.
6. Friends, the world continues to witness
several conflicts which have led to unacceptable levels of violence and
destruction. Gandhiji’s abiding faith in
peace and non-violence is even more relevant today. The path of peace has never been easy, as it
requires considerable maturity and self-restraint, which does not seem to be
the order of the day in many parts of the world. I would think that it falls on the current
generation and the next generation to ensure that despite provocations, one
must never leave the path of non-violence.
History has shown that though the path of non-violence may be long and
arduous, but the results are also longlasting.
Amigos,
7. India is a shining example of what
Mahatma Gandhi preached. Though it took
many years for us to obtain our independence, and we also lost countless
freedom fighters, the polity and the society that came out of our struggle is
indeed an ideal for many countries.
Today India is not only the world’s largest democracy, but also one of
the fastest growing economies of the world.
Despite the huge diversity that India presents, the people of India have
lived in harmony and have shown to the world the truest meaning of what ‘Unity
in Diversity’ stands for.
Friends,
8. India has an abiding faith in the
philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the world is one family. During the Covid pandemic, India as a nation,
rose to the occasion by not only taking care of its own people, but of people
across the world, whereby not only generating unprecedented goodwill and
friendship, but also contributing in one of the most significant manners to the
global public health. If somebody truly
embodies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to my mind, it is Mahatma
Gandhi. Today we not only honour Mahatma
Gandhi and his philosophy, but also rededicate ourselves to the causes for
which Mahatma Gandhi also laid down his life.
9. Friends, in conclusion, I would again
like to thank His Excellency Carlos Faria Foreign Minister of Venezuela, for
his kind presence. I would also like to
thank the local authorities of Caricuao Municipality for assisting us in
organizing this celebration. We look
forward to our continued friendly engagements with the people of Caricuao and
with the people of Venezuela.
Long live India-Venezuela Friendship!
Long live the legacy of Mahatma
Gandhi!
Thank you!
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