Invoke Gandhian ideology against terror: India, SA

Durban, Oct 1 (UNI) India and South Africa today called for confronting global terrorism and violent international conflicts through Gandhian ideology and warned that Mahatma Gandhi's vision and message could be ''ignored at our own risk.'' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South African President Thabo Mbeki, while inaugurating the centenary celebrations of 'Satyagrah', said Mahatma Gandhi's relevance was today more than ever for defeating terrorism and ushering in an era of peace and human dignity.

''What of the relevance of his (Mahatma Gandhi's) message today ? Genocide, ethnic cleansing, religious and territorial wars and the ever-growing menace of international terrorism are afflicting many parts of the world. In this background, the Mahatma's philosophy of peace, tolerance and the inter-dependence of the humankind is surely even more relevant than a hundred years ago,'' the Prime Minister said in his inaugural address.

The South African President said ''as surely today, as we confront the spectre of violent national conflicts, war and international terrorism, we can only ignore Mahatma Gandhi's vision and message at our own risk. For the human solidarity, human dignity, self-respect and equality among the peoples, for which Gandhiji fought and died, are the core values that we need to pass on to the generations...'' The ceremony held at the sprawling Kingsmead-Sahara Stadium in the heart of Durban, was marked by Indian and South African cultural programmes, including Bharatnatyam presentation and zulu dances.

Mahatma Gandhi's grand-daughter Ela Gandhi released ten doves before the ceremony, each dove marking each decade.

The ceremony was also preceded by references made from Hindu, Muslim and Christian scriptures.

Dr Singh said today's commemoration was a reminder that no one must forget what 9/11 had imbued with a horrific significance, so different from all that Satyagrah implied. He said that in an age when people worried about the so called 'clash of civilisations,' Gandhi's message would have been that it is indeed possible to work for the ''confluence of civilisations.'' Through the institutions of a pluralist democracy and the process of inclusive development, the world could be made safer for peace, equality and freedom.

Referring to Indo-South African relations, Mr Mbeki said ''we may have to see how the strategic partnership can be imbued with the Gandhian philosophy so that we can create sustainable human family where 'Satya' (Truth) will prevail underpinned by universal values of human solidarity, dignity and self-respect.'' UNI