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December 15, 2022
At the Inauguration Ceremony for Mahatma Gandhi Bust, UN Secretary-General said Peace Leader's Vision was Foundational for United Nations
Photos: Ceremony to Unveil Mahatma Gandhi Bust at UN Headquarters, a gift to the United Nations from India. The plaque says, “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” The event was attended by, among others, the Secretary-General António Guterres, Csaba KÅ‘rösi, President of the seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India. December 14, 2022. United States of America. New York. Images provided by & copyright © UN Photo/Mark Garten.
New York, December 15, 2022 — Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the inauguration ceremony for Mahatma Gandhi’s Bust in New York:
“It’s a great pleasure to join you today to mark the installation of this bust of Mahatma Gandhi. I thank the Government and the Permanent Mission of India for donating this tribute to one of the giants of the modern age.
“My visit to India earlier this year reminded me that there are few people in history so aligned with the goals and values of the United Nations as Mahatma Gandhi.
“Gandhiji’s anti-imperialist vision was foundational for the United Nations. As the Charter states, our Organization is built on the principle of “equal rights and self-determination of peoples .” Indeed, the drafters of the Charter took great inspiration from Gandhi’s message of peace, non-violence, and tolerance.
“Gandhi’s success in mobilizing millions for anti-colonial resistance while adhering to the principles of non-violence inspired people worldwide. But Gandhi is not only a historical figure. His visionary ideas and values, including his concern for justice and social transformation, continue to resonate today.
“Many of his ideas prefigured the concept of sustainable development — including his view that “poverty is the worst form of violence .” Likewise, his belief that societies should be judged on their record of uplifting the most vulnerable holds important lessons for today’s leaders.
“Gandhi was one of the first to recognize the dangers of the plunder and destruction of our environment, observing that the earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. He was a famous supporter of sustainable local products like khadi - India’s homespun cotton.
“He championed women in politics and rejected discriminatory practices. Gandhi was an uncompromising advocate for peaceful coexistence, non-discrimination, and pluralism. Recognizing that diversity is one of India’s greatest assets, he strove for harmonious relations between religions, cultures, and communities.
“The focus of his life was pressing for social and political reform through non-violent resistance while creating a culture of peace. His legacy is everywhere, including in the daily work of the United Nations worldwide for equality, solidarity, and empowerment.
“Once again, I thank the Government of India for its generous donation of this bust. I hope its installation here at the Headquarters of the United Nations will remind us of the values Gandhi upheld and to which we remain committed.”
Source: United Nations, New York
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:22 PM | Link to this Post
