Indian Embassy in Damascus holds a celebration on Mahatma Gandhi’s 152nd birth anniversary
“When restraint and courtesy are added to strength, the latter becomes irresistible.
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Where there is love there is life.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Who was this man whom some liken to prophets?Who was this man who was able to introduce to a violent and bloodthirsty world the notion of non-violent resistance?
He is Mahatma Gandhi born on October 2nd, 1869.
Every year, his birth anniversary is celebrated across the world.
Globally, Gandhi Jayanti ( birth day) is marked as the International Day of Non-Violence, after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on 15 June 2007. Gandhi’s contribution to the propagation of non-violence or ahimsa is recognised by the global body on the occasion.
The non-violent resistance campaigns led by MK Gandhi in South Africa had huge consequences not only for the history of the country but also for world history in general. Gandhi’s campaigns forged a new form of struggle against oppression that became a model for political and ethical struggles in other parts of the world – especially in India (the struggle for independence) and the United States (the civil rights campaign of the 1960s).
In Syria, Damascus the Indian Embassy held a special event to commemorate this noble day. People flocked to the embassy in the hope of being part of this cultural and great event.
In a statement to Syriatimes, the Ambassador of India said,”
The Embassy of India, Damascus celebrated 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to pay tribute to the apostle of peace and nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi – an institution of nonviolence – envisioned a world where every citizen has dignity and prosperity. He epitomized trust among all sections of the society, combined ordinary objects with mass politics and awakened the inner strength of the people to bring about changes and reforms. Mahatma Gandhi had deep faith in the goodness of every individual and in truth and nonviolence. Truth was his God and nonviolence the means of realizing Him. Respect, understanding, acceptance, appreciation and compassion are Mahatma Gandhi’s five pillars which r basic to existence and which if inculcated can not only keep one selves happy but also make others happy.
The life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi provide a powerful tool to discern on which path to tread and offer many opportunities to negotiate challenges of modern day society.
Syriatimes attended the event and carried out some interviews
Reem haddad
Editor-in-Chief
The Indian Embassy in Damascus held on Saturday a celebration on the occasion of 152nd anniversary of the birth of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi in the presence of a number of officials and clergymen, intellectuals and yogin.
The program included short videos on Mahatma Gandhi and speeches delivered by the ambassador and guests on this occasion besides a show performed by yoga groups coming from all Syrian cities that came to celebrate this holy occasion.
Mahender Singh Kanyal, the Indian ambassador to Syria, said in his speech during the celebration, that Mahatma Gandhi contributed to changing people’s behavior towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the assimilation of the world as one family, through nonviolence. ” Gandhi’s philosophy is based on not harming anyone through thoughts, actions, or words because nonviolence is the highest moral value, and this contributed to preserving the dignity of every citizen within groups and in society.”
He pointed out that the Mahatma established a self-standing rule that does not depend on the government, and has strengthened what can stem from the self for reform, in all fields of life, and it depends on trust in God.
For his part, the Secretary of the Damascus branch of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Muhammad Husam al-Samman, affirmed that Syria’s leadership, people and party highly appreciates the positions of the Indian government and people towards Syria in its war against terrorism.
“Gandhi’s achievement is unique in the world, and on his birthday, we must remember his words and actions,” he added.
The Director of General Iftaa and Religious Teaching at the Ministry of Endowments, who represented the Mufti of the Republic, Ahmed Badr El-Din Hassoun, and Sheikh Muqbil Al-Hamad from the Zainabiya Hawza, emphasized that those who have no history have no future, considering that the values embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, which are peace, tolerance, non-violence and humanity, are common values for all religions.
During the event Mr. Hassan Issa was honored for winning second place in a yoga video blogging competition which was launched in 2020.
Reported by: Nada Haj Khidr