PM welcomes declaration of Oct 2 as International Non-Violence Day

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has welcomed the United Nations General Assemblys adoption of an Indian resolution declaring October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence.

New Delhi, June 16 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of an Indian resolution declaring October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence.

In a statement, Dr Singh described it as "a great tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and a proud moment for India."

The UN General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution reaffirming the universal relevance of non-violence, initiated by India and co-sponsored by more than 120 of the 191 members of the Assembly during its plenary session.

The resolution said that October 2, the birth anniversary of the 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi, will from this year be observed as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The External Affairs Ministry has said that this reflects the enormous respect across the world for Mahatma Gandhi as the apostle of "peace and non-violence and for his powerful message of truth, love, compassion, peace and ahimsa (non-violence)".

India's neighbouring countries from South Asia and Russia, Britain, France and Germany are among the co-sponsors.

The resolution stresses that non-violence, tolerance, full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect for diversity are interlinked and reinforcing.

ANI