UN urged to declare Oct 2 as World Non-violence Day

New Delhi, Jan 30 (UNI) The two-day international conference to mark the commemoration of the centenary of Satyagraha Movement,organised by the Congress, concluded here today with an appeal to the United Nations to declare Mahatma Gandhi's date of birth,October 2,as International Non-violence Day.

The appeal was made a through a Declaration adopted on conclusion of the 'International Conference on Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment-Gandhian philosphy in the 21st century' and was read out by Ahmad Katrada, as associate of Nelson Mandela who underwent imprisonment along with Nelson Mandela for over 20 years.

The conference, which was attended by delegates from 90 countries and 122 organisations, adopted a Declaration acknowledging the historical contribution made by the Mahatma. It declared that it deeply cherishes the ideals of non-violence and peace which guided him in his struggle against injustice.

The Declaration urged the UN to strengthen the system as the principal mechanism for conflict resolution and pacific settlement of disputes.

The Declaration also appealed to the UNto work for reforming the various organs of the UN in order to reflect the changes that have taken place since its inception.

The Declaration resolved to work towards a world free from hatred and violence, a world united in mutual trust and harmony and friendship, a world with more equitable access to global resources ,a world united in its struggle against poverty, illiteracy, disease, injustice and hunger, a world free from nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and world where territorial boundaries become irrelevant, where cultural frontiers are in an inclusive and ever expanding mode and where local values merge in the four oceans of universal humanitarianism .

"As representatives of the mankind, we take a solemn vow to pursue truth, to prefer peace to violence in all our activities to have respect for diverse view points and to practice the philosphy of non-violence to win over the forces of violence and injustice through tolerance, empathy and love,"the Declaration stated.

UNI