Celebration of sesquicentennialof Mahatma Gandhi
Venkat Raman
More than 1000 people, primarily of Indian origin, including women and children joined the ‘Global March for Peace,’ at Auckland’s Central Business District this morning, remembering the works and words of Mahatma Gandhi that non-violence wins attention and issues.
Organised by the Indian High Commission and the Hon Consul of India in Auckland, the Peace Walk moved from Downtown and marched towards the Aotea Square where it concluded.
There were a few hundred people of various other ethnicities as well.
Peace Works: Jenny Salesa
About 30 Indian organisations participated in the Peace March, led by Ethnic Communities Minister Jenny Salesa, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Hon Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon. They were joined by National List MPs Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Parmar.
Speaking to Indian Newslink, Ms Salesa said that she was proud to represent the Labour Government at this historic event.
“Today we celebrate the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi who demonstrated to the world that Peace Works. We have learnt that humanity can achieve a lot through peace and non-violence. I also wish to recall the words of our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the UN (see our website for her speech) that New Zealanders value kindness,” she said.
Ms Salesa said that some politicians in some parts of the world resort to violence sometimes.
“However, if they were to learn from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, they will realise that they can achieve more through non-violent means. Indeed, Peace Works,” she said.
International Inspiration
Dr Parmar told Indian Newslink: Mahatma Gandhi continues to be a source of inspiration internationally and people believe that non-violence is the only way to achieve sustainable and long-term peace. His 150th Birthday Celebrations will continue until October 2, 2019,” she said.
Mr Dhillon said that non-violence and peaceful co-existence are at the heart of every Indian.
“This Global March for Peace is a momentous occasion to remember the teachings and cherished ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. We remember and pay our respects to his inspiring leadership. I am extremely happy that the community has come together on a Sunday morning. It is even more pleasing that more than 100 children are participating in this endeavour,” Mr Dhillon told Indian Newslink.
International Day of Non-Violence
In an earlier communique, India’s High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli had said, “This year, we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. United Nations has declared October 2 as ‘The International Day of Non-Violence.’ This great occasion will be celebrated proudly by Indians all over the world. The purpose of this March is to highlight Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophy of Peace and Non-Violence.
The Salt March
‘Peace Walk’ was popularised by Mahatma Gandhi when he conducted the ‘Salt March’ on March 12, 1930. Also called, ‘The Dandi March’ and ‘The Dandi Satyagraha,’it was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India.
His mission was to produce salt from the seawater in the coastal village of Dandi (now in Gujarat), as was the practice of the local populace until British officials introduced taxation on salt production, deemed their sea-salt reclamation activities illegal, and then repeatedly used force to stop it.
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Photo Caption:
Jenny Salesa with members of the community at the March
(Picture for Indian Newslink by Ronny Kumaran)
