'Gandhi's methods can bring peace in universe'

Mumbai, Feb 4: Nobel Laureate and former President of Poland Lech Walesa has praised Mahatma Gandhi as the universal authority on non-violence.

''His struggle for solidarity and his methods could be emulated to bring peace and stability in the universe'', Mr Walesa told mediapersons at a function organised by the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), Indo Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCC) and the World Trade Centre (WTC) here yesterday.

Mr Walesa said the decisive and aggressive actions and efforts of the US after 9/11 ''very correct'' otherwise much more damage would have been done to the world by terrorists, had it not acted firmly. The next target would have been Moscow by Chechanya activists. Terrorism of any sort should be curbed irrespective of who is doing it and who is behind it.

''When I fought the struggle for economic reforms and a market economy with the sole criteria that everybody should grow, I was misunderstood. But in years to come, my countrymen and others who opposed me shall realise that I was correct,'' Mr Walesa said.

He exprened concern over the growing gap between the least developed countries like Africa, of which the developed world is not aware, and not looking at it in the right perspective.

''There will be a revolution if we neglect the Least Developed countries who are amongst the have nots. In the name of globalisation, one should not squeeze others or take undue advantage but one should bring in upliftment amongst the poorest of the poor and his fight in this regard would continue,'' Mr Walesa added.

AIAI President Vijay Kalantri said ''here is a man who brought democracy from communism, fought for countries in East Europe against racial discrimination and has grown from scratch to the highest position of the country and is also the winner of the Nobel people Prize. We have a lot to learn from Mr Walesa, who is the idol for the modern world,'' he added.

UNI