Indian Ambassador joins Consulate in New York and community for Gandhi Jayanti celebration

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The Indian Consulate in New York celebrated Gandhi Jayanti Oct. 2, 2022, at Union Square where Mahatma Gandhi’s statue stands. The celebration is held every year on Gandhiji’s birthday. This was the 153^rd anniversary of Gandhiji’s birth. The International Ahimsa Foundation New York and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA joined the Indian Consulate to celebrate the event.

Close to 50 people including India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal, Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph and several Indian-Americans, including President of Federation of Indian Associations NYNJCTNE Kenny Desai, were at the event.

The statue of Gandhiji was garlanded by the Ambassador and Consul General.

Consul General Jaiswal spoke briefly thanking everyone for being there and about living the life and treading the path laid out by Gandhiji.

Ambassador Sandhu was presented with a painting of himself done by well-known local New York artist Manoj Vyas who was also present. The Ambassador thanked organizers for the gift and spoke about Gandhiji’s legacy being relevant to this day, and the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam (The World is One), where “There is no compartmentalization in the world,” and what happens in one place affects another. He also spoke of India’s achievements since independence, and the strides India has made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He focused on the medical field and the production of vaccines at affordable prices was an immense contribution of India to the world, including for treating COVID. India and the U.S. were playing a very important role in the welfare of the world, Ambassador Sandhu noted.

The event was part of the year-long celebration of India’s 75^th year of Independence, the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

ADDON FROM ANI

October 2 also coincides with the International Day Of Non-Violence.

“On this day every year, the world celebrates the International Day Of Non-Violence, remembering the life path and strategy of the pioneer of the philosophy of Non-Violence, Mahatma Gandhi. It is an occasion to spread the message of Non-Violence through education and public awareness.”

According to the UN General Assembly resolution of June 15, 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day of Non-Violence is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.”
The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding, and non-violence,” the UN noted.

Globally, Gandhi’s birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events are held in India and across the world to mark the occasion.