Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1082 Sun. June 17, 2007  
   
International


UN declares Gandhi's birthday as day of non-violence


The United Nations will observe the birth anniversary of Indian icon Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence every year, it said in a statement yesterday.

The UN called upon all member nations and individuals to commemorate October 2 in "an appropriate manner and to disseminate the message of non-violence."

The resolution was introduced by India.

Gandhi's descendants hailed the move, but said the gesture should not only be symbolic. "It's welcome but not enough. If they have declared it as non-violence day, they should ensure that it is observed as one among member countries," said the leader's great grandson Tushar Gandhi.