Press release Observance of International Day of Non-Violence in Bangkok

Observance of International Day of Non-Violence in Bangkok

Embassy of India
Bangkok

Press Release

Observance of International Day of Non-Violencein Bangkok

               On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Embassy of India, Bangkok in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of the Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) celebrated the International Day of Non-Violenceon 2 October 2013 at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok.

               Dr. NoeleenHeyzer, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP read out the message of Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations and emphasized importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace and harmony to the world.Ambassador Anil Wadhwa in his address underlined significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence in today’s interdependent world.

                To mark the 7th International Day of Non-Violence this year, Dr. RajniBakshi, Senior Gandhi Peace Fellow at Indian Council for Global Relations, Mumbai delivered a special talk titled, “a Force More Powerful: Non-violence For Our World Today”.Amusical band of students,from eight different countries, of the New International School of Thailand (NIST) performed rendition of the song ‘One day’ by Matisyahu conveying the message of harmony. The programme also included ascreening of short film “The legacy of Mahatma’ produced by the Aditya Birla Group. An exhibition of posters containing quotes of Mahatma Gandhi and a film ‘The Simple Man” produced by Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs was displayed at UNCC and shall continue to be played for one week at the UN Conference Centre.The event ended with offering of floral tributes by the attendees at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed in UNCC.

                The function was well-attended by Ambassadors andmembers of the Diplomatic corps, members of UN agencies, teachers and students of various Universities in Thailand (Thammasat, Mahidol, Siam, Silpakorn and Assumption), representatives of various Indian companies andIndian Associations.

(Bangkok-October 3, 2013)

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