Mahatma Gandhi's 'ideals are relevant in all eras': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Mahatma Gandhi has shown a way to mitigate the menace of terror and climate change, adding that his ideals are relevant in all the eras.

"Even if Mahatma Gandhi was born in India, his personality was such that his ideals belonged to the world. Mahatma Gandhi's personality transcends ages, his ideals are relevant in all the eras. Mahatma Gandhi does not belong to any era. He will guide us forever," Prime Minister Modi said after unveiling statue of Mahatma Gandhi here.

"The world is facing two problems - that of climate change and the other is terrorism. It was Mahatma Gandhi who has shown a way to mitigate these two menaces, terror and climate change," he added.

The Prime Minister further said that Mahatma Gandhi had shown the world that freedom can be attained without bloodshed.

"Many people have fought for freedom, but fighting for it without bloodshed, and by means of satyagraha was shown to the world by Mahatma Gandhi. Many people say great things, but what Mahatma Gandhi said was based on his experiences, his ideals were relevant in all the ages," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Violence has not done any good for anyone. Look back at history, violence has never brought satisfaction to anyone. Non violence and dialogue are the ways ahead. Violence is no solution and Mahatma Gandhi has demonstrated that," he added.

Prime Minister Modi further said that Kyrgyzstan and India were connected by geography, history and culture. He also thanked Kyrgyzstan for their hospitality.

Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Djoomart Otorbaev, was also present on the occasion.