World will rediscover relevance of Gandhi: PM

As the world observes the first International Day of Non-Violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hoped the global community will rediscover the relevance of the eternal message of Mahatma Gandhi for fighting conflict, violence and terrorism.

"Mahatma Gandhi's message of love and peace, of non-violence and satyagraha, of equality of all people, and harmony between all religions is a universal message. It is a message for all times, for all societies, for all people," Singh said on the occasion of the 138th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Prime Minister administered a pledge epitomising Gandhian values to the nation and released a commemorative postal stamp.

Singh said people of the country were proud and grateful that the international community has declared October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence.

"This unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly originates in a declaration of the International Conference on Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment - Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st century, that met in New Delhi earlier this year."

He said the conference, commemorating the centenary of the Satyagraha Movement launched by Gandhiji, underscored the universal relevance of his message of non-violence and the fight for truth.