Mahatma Gandhi Makes a Historical Appearance in New York on International Day of Non-Violence

In a historically important appearance, Mahatma Gandhi addressed the value of education at the United Nations as the world organization marked International Day of Non-Violence to celebrate the anniversary of the father of the nation.

International Day of Non-Violence was established by the General Assembly resolution of June 2007. An occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."

Gandhi's life-size hologram was on show on this particular occasion at a panel discussion that took place on Friday at the UN's New York headquarters. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and India's Permanent Mission to the UN jointly organized the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “This Gandhi Jayanti is, even more, special because India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. May we always live up to Bapu’s ideals. I also urge you all to purchase Khadi and handicrafts products as a tribute to Gandhi Ji.”

India's permanent representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj shared the news on her Twitter along with a picture of Gandhi's hologram at the UN, she wrote, "Join us today for 5th Ahinsa/#NonViolence Lecture in Commemoration of #InternationalDayOfNonviolence featuring a life-size hologram of #MahatmaGandhi"

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nation also twitted "On the International Day of Non-Violence, we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday & values of peace, respect & the essential dignity shared by everyone. We can defeat today's challenges by embracing these values & working across cultures & borders to build a better future."

Gandhi had described himself as a farmer and weaver by occupation in a special court in Ahmedabad during the famous sedition trial of 1922. In November 1929, he issued the following declaration for the Navjivan Trust in Ahmedabad. Before moving to South Africa, Gandhi had no connection to agriculture. He knew nothing about farming or farmers because he was born into a family of senior officials from princely states. In South Africa, he had his first experience with farming.