SPEECH BY SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO VENEZUELA ON THE OCCASION OF 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF MAHATMA GANDHI AT GANDHI SQUARE CARICUAO ON 2 OCTOBER 2020
His Excellency Ruben Dario Molina, Vice Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania
Representatives of the Local Community Council,
Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Let me, at the outset, convey how privileged I feel to be in Caricuao. Moments ago, we paid tribute at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. It is truly a matter of immense satisfaction for us that we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Today, also marks the grand finale of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. Father of my nation - Mahatma Gandhi remains one of the most respected figures in the human history. The reason for this is the impact that his philosophy had on the people of India and the countless millions across the world. Gandhiji transformed the way people thought. His teachings were not merely theoretical but practical and action oriented. He changed the way one looked at strength and weakness per se. What may seem as a symbol of strength, actually may be a great reflection of weakness and vice versa. This transformational thought process was experimented by him. In the process, it changed him, then it changed India and finally it changed the world. Luckily, this transformational thought process continues to deeply impact and guide the world.
3. Gandhiji was a philosopher, political personality, strategist, humanist, saint and much more. I cannot recall any one human being to embody such qualities. We are so blessed that Gandhiji stepped on this planet in 1869 and transformed it for all times to come.
4. Gandhiji’s views on non-violence, civil disobedience, gender equality, self-reliance, cleanliness continues to guide people and nations. It is no wonder that people across the world celebrate Gandhji and his philosophy of non-violence. The great lesson from Gandhiji is that finally truth and ahimsa or non-violence triumphs as in the words of Gandhiji ‘truth and non-violence are as old as hills’.
5. When several parts of the world are embroiled in conflict due to parochial interests, the solution to these problems does not lie in violence but Gandhiji philosophy of non-violence. Gandhiji had famously said that ‘eye for an eye will make the whole world blind’.
6. We need to avoid the temptation for quick resolution of issues by force. One, it will not happen. Secondly, even if it seems to happen, it will be short lived and not durable. Gandhiji’s philosophy is more relevant today than ever before.
7. As we celebrate the grand finale of the 150th birth anniversary, let’s hope that following his ideals, we are able to make this earth better, greener and a place where peace and harmony coexist on a sustainable basis. Let us do our best making Gandhiji’s dream of peaceful coexistence of all a reality.
8. Long live India-Venezuela friendship.
9. Long live the great legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
10. Jai Hind.
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