Namaskar, Bonjour, Akwaba, Vanakam, Salam
allaikum & Good evening
Honourable Vice President of Cote d’Ivoire
Monsieur Daniel Kablan Duncan, Minister of Monsieur Isaac De, Senior
government officials from the government, prominent members of Indian community
and my dear friends’ good afternoon and welcome to this significant event of
India-Cote d'Ivoire government.
At the outset I thank Vice President for his August
presence and thank you one and all for coming joining us.
It is my pleasure and privilege to stand before you
and say few words on life and message of the Mahatma Gandhi, Great Soul as he
is called, on the occasion of the release of the Commemorative Postage Stamp of
Mahatma Gandhi brought out by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Post, Government
of Cote d'Ivoire as part of the celebration of his 150th birth
anniversary.
Let me take this opportunity to express, appreciation
of the people and the government of India to the Cote d'Ivoire government and
Ministry of digital Economy & Post for working together with Embassy of
India, in bringing out this commemorative postage stamp. I thanked friends
of India and prominent members of Indian community for taking great efforts to
cement India-Cote d'Ivoire bilateral relations and cooperation.
Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology played a vital role in
India's independence and referred to him as the Father of the Nation. Mahatma
Gandhi was an exceptional leader, a person who stood up on what he believed and
practised what he preached. Mahatma Gandhi was a real champion in the
fight against inequality and oppression. He was a devout Hindu yet advocated
equal respect and appreciation for all Religions. He believed in unity of all
mankind & religions and devoted his whole life towards the cause of uniting
people across ethnic and religious lines.
Gandhi's life and message had
influenced and inspired many world leaders and continued to do so. His
philosophy for humanity, equality, justice and non-violence have gained
global recognition. In the year 2007, the United Nations
declared Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, the 2nd of October, as the
International Day of Non-Violence, and is to celebrated all over the world today.
Gandhi’s teachings also remind us to be the changed
that would you want to see in the world. He strongly believed and practiced
that all human being has the capability to change his own world. In this
context he emphasized the importance of choosing the correct means to
achieve your goal. He said” an eye and an eye, would make the whole world
blind".
Dear
friend after 150 years, Mahatma Gandhi’s life, his teachings and ideology
continue to inspire and guide the world. As we celebrate 150th Birth
Anniversary, let us examine ourselves, choose the right means to achieve our
gaol.
With these few words let me once again thank Vice
President for his August presence here, Thank Minister Isaac De for taking deep
interest in bringing out this commemorative stamp, Thank department of Post and
Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the wonderful cooperation.
I thank you all.
