Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday said Mahatma Gandhi's conviction in the innate goodness of humanity and his unwavering faith in peace and non-violence as a force for change remain as relevant today as they were during India’s freedom struggle.
He highlighted that Gandhi's historic visit to Noakhali in 1946 exemplified the extraordinary power of dialogue, empathy, and understanding, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
"His unyielding dedication to the principles of non-violence and communal harmony not only brought solace to Noakhali, but also left an indelible mark on the conscience of humanity," said the Indian High Commissioner while addressing a seminar.
On the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, High Commissioner Verma visited the historic Gandhi Ashram in Noakhali and offered floral tributes to the Father of the Indian nation.
He also addressed the seminar hosted by the Gandhi Ashram Trust on the theme “Gandhiji’s quest for peace and harmony in Noakhali and its relevance in the contemporary world”.
The envoy also pointed out that the commemoration of International Day of Non-violence on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary every year reaffirms the universality of the values of peace, non-violence, tolerance and understanding, and highlights their relevance in dealing with the current global challenges such as terrorism.
The International Day of Non-violence is a strong affirmation of India’s long-standing belief that no cause can justify acts of violence and that humanism shall always prevail, said the High Commissioner.
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High Commissioner Verma also visited the museum at the Gandhi Ashram showcasing memorabilia associated with Gandhiji’s stay at the Noakhali in 1946 and encouraged the Gandhi Ashram Trust to forge regular cooperation and exchanges with various institutions devoted to Gandhian studies in India.
