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Ambassador's speech on occasion of Gandhi Jayanti

Posted on: October 02, 2021 | Back | Print

Dear Presidents of the various Indian communities,

Friends from the media, 
Ladies and gentlemen,

Today is a very special day as we celebrate the 152nd birth anniversary of a great man, Mahatma Gandhi. Albert Einstein had said- "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." As India is celebrating 75 years of its independence , through series of events under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it gives me immense pleasure to know that an inter community sports competition has been organized today. Promoting social harmony and inter community brotherhood is an apt tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.

Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest pravasi bhartiya was born in Gujarat, and Madagascar has a strong Indian community that has its roots in Gujarat. The Embassy had inaugurated an exhibition celebrating the Indian diaspora in Madagascar which is currently located in the mandir.

Mahatma Gandhi was an ardent believer and practitioner of non-violence. Today is also the International Day of Non-violence. His non-violence was not only towards other human beings but also towards nature. He said- "“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."

Our violence towards nature has led to biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and climate change. On his birthday and on international day of non-violence today, we must commit ourselves to non-violence towards nature. 

Today, we also celebrate the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India. During the course of more than thirty years of dedicated service, he came to be known as a man of great integrity and competence. Humble, tolerant, with great inner strength and resoluteness, he was a man of the people who understood their language. He was also a man of vision who led the country towards progress. 

Lal Bahadur Shastri was deeply influenced by the political teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and said: “Hard work is equal to prayer”.

I would like to thank each one of you for gracing the event with your presence. 

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