Press Release No. 35

23 September 2009

 

Celebration of the 3rd International Day of Non-Violence

 

On the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Non-Violence, the Embassy of India, Cairo and the League of Arab States are organizing a panel discussion on Sunday, 4 October 2009 on “The Relevance of Gandhi’s Philosophy and Ideas in Today’s World” and a photo exhibition titled “Gandhi: His Life and His Message” at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, Tahrir Square, Cairo.

 

His Excellency Mr. Amre Moussa, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, will be the Key Note Speaker for the panel discussion. H. E. Mr. Ahmed Maher, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Abdel Moneim Said Aly, Chief of Board of Directors, Al Ahram Institution; and Mr. Mahmoud Abaza, President, Al Wafd party are other eminent panelists. The discussion will start at 1030 hrs and will be moderated by H. E. Dr. Ali El Din Hilal, President, Egypt-India Friendship Association (EIFA). The photo exhibition will be jointly inaugurated by H. E. Amre Moussa and H. E. R. Swaminathan, Ambassador of India to Egypt on 4 October 2009 at 1245 hrs.   

 

Of all the national leaders associated with India’s freedom struggle, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) is the most revered. Mahatma Gandhi was the pioneer of Satyagraha resistance which is based on the twin principles of truth and ‘ahimsa’ or total non-violence. His vision and philosophy inspired not only India’s freedom struggle, but also movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He is commonly known and addressed world-wide as Mahatma (‘Great Soul’ in Hindi).

 

On 15 June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution piloted by India with the co-sponsorship of 142 countries to annually observe and celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday 2nd October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

 

For further details, please contact: The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, Tel: 23933396/23960071; Fax: 23936572; e-mail: macic@indembcairo.com.

 

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