Prime Minister Samuel Hinds urged the public to emulate Mahatma Gandhi by demonstrating honesty and integrity, in his address at a ceremony held on Saturday to observe International Day of Non-Violence and to commemorate Gandhi’s 142nd birth anniversary.
“It is what he stood for that obliged us to commemorate his name and for the world to reflect upon the principles which he fearlessly espoused,” Hinds, said, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release. He noted that Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi’s selflessness and sincerity in pursuing justice for the oppressed and disadvantaged should be emulated and that it is a fitting tribute that a day set aside to foster peace should be observed on his birth anniversary.
The Prime Minister said government also advocates equal rights for men, women and children and has taken certain steps to ensure their access to skills that will foster economic and social progress. He said recently government has embarked on an initiative to join with leaders of faith-based organisations to tackle societal ills and he called on the nation to cooperate.
Indian High Commissioner Subit Kumar Mandal told the gathering that Gandhi was a great leader whose relevance and spirit has been increasing the world over. “His message was not just for India, nor was it just for the times we lived in, Mahatma Gandhi’s message of love and peace, of non-violence, of the equality of all peoples, of harmony among all religions is a universal message.”
In addition, Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council Yvonne Pearson referred to Gandhi as a man of greatness who cared for the poor. She advocated that persons should emulate these virtues as “if you believe in something and not live it, is dishonest.”
