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	International Day of Non-violence by UN News / Press Trust of India & agencies   September 2009   " When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always.   What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?   An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for." - Mahatma Gandhi.   Oct. 2009   Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day of Non-violence, to be observed on 2 October:   Mahatma Gandhi, whose legacy this annual observance celebrates, once observed that “non-violence, to be worth anything, has to work in the face of hostile forces”. In today’s world, we face many hostile forces - multiple and persistent crises that demand a response from leaders and grass roots alike.   Gandhi understood that a powerful idea could change the world. He knew that individuals, working alone and together, could realize what others might dismiss as impossible dreams. Inspired by Gandhi’s life of non-violence, the United Nations today works to end violence.   We strive, for example, to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction. Our recent WMD campaign - we must disarm - sought to raise awareness about the high cost of weapons of mass destruction. Recent initiatives and meetings, including last week’s Security Council summit on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, have improved prospects for reductions in global arsenals. We must sustain this momentum, and press for success at next year’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and beyond.   The call to non-violence need not apply only to the use of deadly weapons. The United Nations and its grass-roots partners have long campaigned to stop the human assault on our planet. Greenhouse gas emissions have been part of this onslaught, and now threaten catastrophic climate change. I urge activists everywhere to turn up the heat on world leaders to seal a deal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.   The appalling violence inflicted on women and girls throughout the world must also be at the centre of our concerns. An estimated 150 million women and girls are victimized each year. Rape is increasingly widespread as a weapon of war. Victims of sexual coercion are more likely to suffer sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. I urge all partners to join my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, which aims to raise awareness and funds to fight this problem in all parts of the world - since no country is immune.   On this International Day, let us celebrate - and embody - the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by heeding his call for a movement of non-violence. Let us end violence in all its manifestations, and strengthen our collective work for a safer, greener and more peaceful world.   Oct 2009   "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi. (Indian Government portal)   This month we celebrate "Gandhi Jayanti", the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Bapu, as we fondly know him, was known globally for his lessons of tolerance and respect for humanity. Today, he is remembered, not only for his perseverance and dedication in finding peaceful solutions to violence, but also for his efforts to advance the cause of social and economic justice.   Gandhiji had once described non-violence to mean communal harmony, eradication of untouchability, economic equality, promotion of primary education and improvement in the status of women. The emancipation of untouchables being one of his foremost concerns, Gandhi worked endlessly to end social discrimination against them and ensure measures for their welfare in Free India.   Mahatma Gandhi was not only a brave leader of our freedom struggle but also one of the greatest modern spiritual leaders of Indian society.   Working from his Sabarmati Ashram, also known as Harijan Ashram, Gandhiji was always approachable. It was from here that he laboured for the upliftment of people from the underprivileged sections of society and for the equality of all mankind.   Gandhi pushed for education as a mass weapon for salvation, freedom and success in life. He worked to improve the condition of people and bring about social justice in areas such as universal education, women"s rights, communal harmony, the eradication of poverty.   Gandhi"s campaign against the ills of society was strongly tied to his political movements for freedom from colonial rule. Through Gandhiji"s efforts, India finally won her Independence on the 15th of August, 1947.   As a result of the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, other national leaders and social reformers, the Constitution of India, through the Fundamental rights, granted equality before the law to all citizens of India. It prohibits discrimination on the grounds of caste, religion, race, sex or birth and abolishes untouchability.   The relevance of the values of truth and non violence enshrined by Mahatma Gandhi decades ago stand true even today. Respect for various cultures and religions can be brought about only if we listen to, speak to and appreciate each other. A vibrant democracy is one where the concerns of everyone, predominantly, the poor, women and disadvantaged communities are addressed.   The philosophy of Satyagraha and non violence is also held in high esteem by the world community, which lead to the United Nations adopting Gandhiji"s birthday on the 2nd of October, as the International Day of Non-Violence. This emphasizes that the timeless message of the "Father of the Nation" continues to prevail in many cultures, for a long time to come.   Oct. 2009   America has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi says Obama. (Press Trust of India)   As the world celebrates International Day of non-violence, US President Barack Obama on Thursday said America has its "roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi."   "His teachings and ideals, shared with Martin Luther King Jr. on his 1959 pilgrimage to India, transformed American society through our civil rights movement," Obama said on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Americans owe enormous gratitude to Gandhi, he said.   "The America of today has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi and the nonviolent social action movement for Indian independence which he led," Obama said in a statement.   On behalf of the American people, Obama said he wants to express appreciation for the life and lessons of Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his birth. "This is an important moment to reflect on his message of non-violence, which continues to inspire people and political movements across the globe," he said.   "We join the people of India in celebrating this great soul who lived a life dedicated to the cause of advancing justice, showing tolerance to all, and creating change through non-violent resistance," Obama said.   As the world remembers the Mahatma on his birthday, Obama said: "We must renew our commitment to live his ideals and to celebrate the dignity of all human beings.   Oct 2008   The life and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.   Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence, has been the inspiration for non-violent movements for civil rights and social change across the world. Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to his belief in non-violence even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.   The theory behind his actions, which included encouraging massive civil disobedience to British law as with the historic Salt March of 1930, was that "just means lead to just ends"; that is, it is irrational to try to use violence to achieve a peaceful society. He believed that Indians must not use violence or hatred in their fight for freedom from colonialism.   Definition of Non-Violence   The principle of non-violence — also known as non-violent resistance — rejects the use of physical violence in order to achieve social or political change. Often described as "the politics of ordinary people", this form of social struggle has been adopted by mass populations all over the world in campaigns for social justice.   Professor Gene Sharp, a leading scholar on non-violent resistance, uses the following definition in his publication, The Politics of Nonviolent Action: "Nonviolent action is a technique by which people who reject passivity and submission, and who see struggle as essential, can wage their conflict without violence. Nonviolent action is not an attempt to avoid or ignore conflict. It is one response to the problem of how to act effectively in politics, especially how to wield powers effectively."   While non-violence is frequently used as a synonym for pacifism, since the mid-twentieth century the term non-violence has been adopted by many movements for social change which do not focus on opposition to war.   One key tenet of the theory of non-violence is that the power of rulers depends on the consent of the population, and non-violence therefore seeks to undermine such power through withdrawal of the consent and cooperation of the populace.   There are three main categories of non-violence action: protest and persuasion, including marches and vigils; non-cooperation; and non-violent intervention, such as blockades and occupations.   * Source: 2008 UN International Day for Non Violence website. Visit the related web page
	Dialogue, understanding best possible option in quest for solutions to Terrorism by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon United Nations   Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki moon’s message, delivered by Muhammad Rafiuddin Shah, Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, to the International Conference on the Global Fight against Terrorism.   Over the past several years, the scourge of terrorism has afflicted almost all regions of the world, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.   It is critical that the international community increase cooperation in countering this grave threat to international peace and security.   The Member States of the United Nations demonstrated their clear resolve against terrorism through the adoption, by consensus, of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2006, and its subsequent review resolutions in 2008 and 2010.   The Strategy is not only a political statement on the unacceptability of terrorism, it is also a strategic policy framework for addressing all aspects of this menace.   It is based on four pillars: measures to address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism; measures to prevent and combat terrorism; capacity-building measures; and rule-of-law and human rights measures. And it emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multifaceted approach.   While law enforcement, border control and so-called “hard” security measures are essential, we must also invest more attention and resources in socio-economic development, conflict-prevention, human rights and education. We also need to better understand the reasons people are drawn to violence, so that we can prevent others from following that path.   The Strategy also underscores the importance of dialogue, understanding, and principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter.   Under the Charter, all Member States have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Under the Charter, all Member States have the same rights and obligations.   Denial of established historical facts will be gravely misleading. It is important that we look forward and put more emphasis on dialogue and understanding and on building bridges between countries and peoples. This is the best possible option to find lasting solutions to the difficult problems.   As custodians of the Strategy, Member States have the primary responsibility to ensure its implementation. That means putting in place cohesive national and regional counter-terrorism strategies, strengthening international coordination, marshalling the relevant expertise and demonstrating the necessary political will.   The United Nations system, for its part, is fully engaged, including through the efforts of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, to provide good practices and recommendations.   In adopting the Strategy, Member States pledged “to consistently, unequivocally and strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes”.   Let that unambiguous position be our guide as we seek to address a global challenge that seeks to do such harm to us all and while we pay tribute to victims of terrorism.
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