UN calls for non-violence on Gandhi birth anniversary

Marking Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary as the International Day of Non-Violence, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on member states to "draw strength from the courage of individuals like Mahatma Gandhi".

"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent," Ban said quoting the Indian freedom leader at a special event at the UN hosted by India's Permanent UN mission.

Delivering the keynote address, Ban emphasised that it was from this ideology that the UN has "insisted throughout the war in Syria that all concerned must work for a political solution".

"Whatever one's sympathies or convictions, violence is a poor means to an unsatisfactory end," he reiterated.

UN General Assembly president John Ashe said as the General Assembly embarks upon setting the post-2015 development agenda, it was important that "laying the groundwork for this new agenda, is laying the groundwork for a non-violent world - one that values peace and well-being for all".

Those who attended included 65 Permanent Representatives of member states, members of the media and several other dignitaries, including Vijay Nambiar, special adviser on Myanmar to Ban and other senior UN officials.

Welcoming the guests, India's Permanent Representative to UN Asoke K. Mukerji underscored the increasing relevance of Gandhian ideals by stating that "the path of non-violence and dialogue is the surest path to sustainable peace, sustainable development and indeed, sustainable reforms".

"It is through such an approach that we would be best equipped to deal with the challenges of change, whether political, social, economic or environmental, and find solutions on the basis of the strength of dialogue," he said.

Renowned Indian artist R.D. Pareek, who had flown in from Mumbai to attend the event, presented Ashe with a life size portrait of Mahatma Gandhi.

A special edition book on the life of the Mahatma was presented to Ban for his personal collection by Mukerji.

The event also featured an exclusive sarod recital by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan.

The performance included special renditions of tunes of "Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye" and "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram".