PM’s speech at ECOSOC Chambers on relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in today’s era
Secretary General Antonio Gutteres,
President Moon,
Prime Minister Lee,
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
Prime Minister Andrew Holness,
Prime Minister Ardern,
Prime Minister LotayTshering,
Excellencies, Friend’s,
Today we all have gathered here to discuss the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the current era on his 150th birth anniversary.
I welcome all the distinguished guests here.
I express my special thanks to the UN for issuing a commemorative stamp on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi Ji was an Indian but he was not only for India. Today this platform is a living example of the same.
This is not seen anywhere in history when a person which does not have even far-fetched relationship with the administration and with the power of truth and non-violence, he not only shook the centuries-old empire but also instilled the spirit of freedom in many patriots.
Mahatma Gandhi was such a person and despite being so far away from power, he is still ruling the hearts of crores of people.
You can imagine how impressed people have been with his life even though he never met them. Whether it was Martin Luther King Jr. or Nelson Mandela, the basis of their ideas was Mahatma Gandhi, it was Gandhi’s vision.
Friends,
Today the definition of democracy has a limited meaning that the people should choose the government of their choice and the government should work according to the expectations of the people. But Mahatma Gandhi emphasized on the real power of democracy. He showed the direction in which people should not depend on governance and become self-reliant.
Friends,
Mahatma Gandhi was the focal point of India’s freedom struggle, but for a moment we should also think that if Gandhiji had been born in a free country, what would he have done?
He fought the freedom struggle, this is important but it is not the total expansion of Gandhiji’s work.
Mahatma Gandhi pioneered a social system that did not depend on the government.
Mahatma Gandhi brought change, it is well known, but it is also fair to say that he awakened the inner strength of the people and awakened them to bring about change.
Had Gandhi not been responsible for the freedom struggle, he still would have gone ahead with the basic elements of Swaraj and self-reliance.
This vision of Gandhiji is becoming a great medium of solving big challenges that India is facing today.
In the last 5 years, we have given priority to Peoples Participation. Whether it is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital India, the people are now leading these campaigns themselves.
Friends,
Mahatma Gandhi used to say that his life is his message. Gandhiji never tried to make an impact from his life, but his life became the cause of inspiration. Today we are living in the era of How to Impress but Gandhiji’s vision was – How to Inspire.
I want to tell you an incident related to what was the strength of Gandhiji’s loyalty towards democracy. When I met Queen Elizabeth of Britain a few years ago, she showed me a napkin with great emotion. This was a handkerchief made from Khadi, which Gandhi had gifted her at the time of her marriage.
Just imagine, with whom he had a conflict of principles, still he had so much sensitivity in his relationship with her. He also wanted, the wellbeing and respect for those who were against him, with whom he was fighting the freedom struggle.
Friends,
It was this commitment to the principles that drew Gandhi’s attention to seven such perversions that everyone should be aware of. These are
Wealth Without Work
Pleasure Without Conscience
Knowledge Without Character
Business Without Ethics
Science Without Humanity
Religion Without Sacrifice
Politics Without Principle
Whether it is climate change or terrorism, corruption or selfish social life, these principles of Gandhi ji act as a guide to protect humanity.
I believe that this path shown by Gandhiji will prove to be a motivator in creating a better world.
I understand that as long as this flow of ideas of Gandhiji with humanity continues, Gandhiji’s inspiration and relevance will also remain among us.
Once again I express my gratitude to all of you!
Thank you.
Paying tributes to the great Mahatma Gandhi!
In a short while from now, a programme on ‘Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Contemporary World’ will be held at the @UN. This special event is being hosted by India.
PM @narendramodi will share his thoughts during the programme.
2,8213:39 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy621 people are talking about this
हम सभी महात्मा गांधी की 150वीं जन्म जयंती पर, आज के युग में उनकी प्रासंगिकता पर बात करने के लिए एकजुट हुए हैं।: PM8044:16 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy187 people are talking about this
महात्मा जी की डेढ़ सौ वीं जन्म-जयंती पर एक Commemorative Stamp जारी करने के लिए मैं U.N. का भी विशेष आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। : PM1,0654:17 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy223 people are talking about this
गांधी जी भारतीय थे, लेकिन सिर्फ भारत के नहीं थे। आज ये मंच इसका जीवंत उदाहरण है।: PM1,5474:17 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy278 people are talking about this
आप कल्पना कर सकते हैं कि जिनसे गांधी जी कभी मिले नहीं, वो भी उनके जीवन से कितना प्रभावित रहे। मार्टिन लूथर किंग जूनियर हों या नेल्सन मंडेला उनके विचारों का आधार महात्मा गांधी थे, गांधी जी का विजन था।: PM1,4214:18 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy291 people are talking about this
आज लोकतंत्र की परिभाषा का एक सीमित अर्थ रह गया है कि जनता अपनी पसंद की सरकार चुने और सरकार जनता की अपेक्षा के अनुसार काम करे। लेकिन महात्मा गांधी ने लोकतंत्र की असली शक्ति पर बल दिया। उन्होंने वो दिशा दिखाई जिसमें लोग शासन पर निर्भर न हों और स्वावलंबी बनें।: PM8504:18 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy208 people are talking about this
महात्मा गांधी ने एक ऐसी समाज व्यवस्था का बीड़ा उठाया, जो सरकार पर निर्भर न हो।
महात्मा गांधी परिवर्तन लाए, ये सर्वविदित है, लेकिन ये कहना भी उचित होगा कि उन्होंने लोगों की आंतरिक शक्ति को जगा कर उन्हें स्वयं परिवर्तन लाने के लिए जागृत किया।: PM8774:19 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy239 people are talking about this
अगर आजादी के संघर्ष की जिम्मेदारी गांधी जी पर न होती तो भी वो स्वराज और स्वावलंबन के मूल तत्व को लेकर आगे बढ़ते।
गांधी जी का ये विजन आज भारत के सामने बड़ी चुनौतियों के समाधान का बड़ा माध्यम बन रहा है।: PM1,0544:20 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy230 people are talking about this
बीते 5 वर्षों में हमने Peoples Participation-जनभागीदारी को प्राथमिकता दी है। चाहे स्वच्छ भारत अभियान हो, डिजिटल इंडिया हो, जनता अब इन अभियानों का नेतृत्व खुद कर रही है।: PM9014:20 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy240 people are talking about this
गांधी जी ने कभी अपने जीवन से प्रभाव पैदा करने का प्रयास नहीं किया लेकिन उनका जीवन ही प्रेरणा का कारण बन गया। आज हम How to Impress के दौर में जी रहे हैं लेकिन गांधी जी का विजन था- How to Inspire. : PM1,4884:21 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy326 people are talking about this
चाहे क्लाइमेट चेंज हो या फिर आतंकवाद, भ्रष्टाचार हो या फिर स्वार्थपरक सामाजिक जीवन, गांधी जी के ये सिद्धांत, हमें मानवता की रक्षा करने के लिए मार्गदर्शक की तरह काम करते हैं।मुझे विश्वास है कि गांधी जी का दिखाया ये रास्ता बेहतर विश्व के निर्माण में प्रेरक सिद्ध होगा।: PM2,2784:23 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy508 people are talking about this
मैं समझता हूं कि जब तक मानवता के साथ गांधी जी के विचारों का ये प्रवाह बना रहेगा, तब तक गांधी जी की प्रेरणा और प्रासंगिकता भी हमारे बीच बनी रहेगी।: PM1,5234:24 AM – Sep 25, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy327 people are talking about this
