October 2 to be observed as 'International Non-violence Day'

United Nations, June 16 (UNI) Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2 from now on will be observed as 'International Day of Non-violence'.

The UN General assembly, through a unanimous vote yesterday, adopted a resolution, mooted by India, in this regard.

India introduced the resolution late last month in the global body to commemorate October 2 as the Non-violence Day in honour of Mahatma Gandhi. The resolution comes into effect with the beginning of the 62nd session of the General Assembly in September.

New Delhi decided on the resolution as 2007 was the centenary year of Satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi's method of protest both in South Africa and in India against the colonial British rulers through non-violent cooperation.

In January, the month during which the apostle was assassinated in 1948, the ruling Congress party had organised a conference in New Delhi with participants representing at least 90 nations.

Yesterday, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma addressed a UN meeting at which the resolution was finalised as part of the ongoing 61st General Assembly session. He also spoke at meetings at the Permanent Mission to the UN and the Consulate General of India later in the evening.

''This is a significant year for us (India). This is a centenary of the Satyagraha, the 60th anniversary of Independence and 150th anniversary of India's first war of Independence,'' Mr Sharma told the consulate gathering, comprising community leaders.

''It (the adoption of the UN resolution on non-violence day) conveys a larger message.'' Envoy to the UN Nirupam Sen explained to UNI later that 142 nations initially supported the Indian resolution and eventually it was adopted unanimously by the General Assembly.

Bollywood film ''Lage Raho Munnabhai'', based on the Mahatma's ideals, was screened at the United Nations last year to the appreciation of all participants at the screening, including secretary-general Kofi Annan.

UNI