Remembering
the Mahatma
By
Priya Nauth
MAHATMA
(Great Soul) Gandhi, as he is commonly called, is undoubtedly one of
the most exemplary figures to have walked this earth, with his
philosophy that freedom can be achieved through the path of
non-violence (ahimsaa) and passive resistance (satyagraha).
Acting
President Samuel Hinds (second from right) next to Ashton
Chase, and from left, Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir
and his wife; Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green; and
Personal Assistant to President Bharrat Jagdeo, Shree
Prakash Gossai.
Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi, also known as ‘Bapu (Father)’, or ‘Father
of the Nation’, was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbander, a
coastal town in present day Gujarat, India, and died on January 30,
1948.
The
traditional ceremony organised by the Indian High Commission was
held yesterday morning to commemorate the Mahatma’s 139th birth
anniversary.
In
attendance at the ceremony in the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown
,where a statue of this great soul is mounted, were Indian High
Commissioner, Mr. Subit Kumar Mandal; Acting President Samuel Hinds;
Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir; Mayor of Georgetown Mr.
Hamilton Green, representatives of various political parties and
religious leaders, among others, who all gathered to join others
across the globe in paying homage to the life and work of the
Mahatma.
Minister
of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir (fourth from left) and Indian
High Commissioner, Subit Kumar
Mandal.
Acting
President Hinds noted in an address that this occasion has become an
opportunity for individuals and nations to reflect on Gandhi’s
beliefs and values.
ȁThroughout
his life, he led a personal revolution with great humility and
determination against intolerance, discrimination and violence,”
the Acting President noted.
ȁHe
led the challenge against inequality and injustice not only for the
people of his native India, but for many around the world,” Hinds
advocated.
He
noted that, “Today, as we celebrate the 139th anniversary of his
birth, we do so in a world where people are still suffering
humiliation and indignities from there fellow men and where
terrorist acts and violent conflicts threaten nations’ peace –
all of which Gandhi spoke out against.”
ȁIt
is frequently remarked that even now we can be witnessing these acts
of ‘man’s inhumanity to man’, despite the efforts of so many
over so many years and in countless international forums to advocate
for tolerance, social justice and equality,” the Acting President
further noted.
ȁOn
the other hand, we from time to time remark on the continuous
struggle between right and wrong…,” he stated.
A
section of the gathering
ȁIt
is necessary therefore that we never allow ourselves to become
disheartened over the many injustices still being experienced by
people in different parts of the world, but to demonstrate our
compassion by working with others in the international community to
find practical solutions that will influence a better life for those
still suffering,” he encouraged.
He said, “As we honour today once more the memory of the Mahatma,
whose name is synonymous with peace, I leave with you these words
which he spoke: “Peace will not come out of a clash of arms, but
out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in face of odds,”
Gandhi
did not resort to guns and weapon in his journey against injustice
but resorted to truth and non-violence hence inspiring many great
leaders of today’s world.
He
studied law in the United Kingdom and practiced in South Africa; but
he left his profession and returned to India to join the Indian
freedom struggle.
Friday,
October 03 2008
