155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Hanoi
WVR - Embassy of India in Vietnam organised an event to celebrate the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2024.
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Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Dy Nien graced the event by offering a floral tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi Bust at the Chancery premises along with Ambassador Sandeep Arya, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Vietnam-India Friendship Association (HAVIFA) Phan Lan Tu, researcher in-charge of Journal for Asian-African Studies of Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga, University of Social Science and Humanities Professor Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Thao, Indian community, University of Social Sciences and Humanitarian (USSH)’s students, friends of India in Vietnam and the Embassy's officials.
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| Former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien (second from left) and Ambassador Sandeep Arya offer a floral tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi Bust at the Chancery premises. |
On the occasion, Ambassador Sandeep Arya remembered the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, thoughts and actions in numerous fields of leadership, economic principles, social reforms, environment, life in general, over and above leading India’s freedom movement. He mentioned its impact recognised by various leaders in numerous countries around the world. He cited the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of Gandhiji’s birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence in acknowledgement of universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and securing a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding.
Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien, in his remarks, appreciated the profound impact of Mahatma Gandhi globally and deep interest it generated in Vietnam, while recalling the visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Gandhiji’s monument in New Delhi in 1958. President Ho Chi Minh is known to have admired Gandhiji and had once said “I and others may be revolutionaries but we are disciples of Mahatma Gandhi directly or indirectly, nothing more nothing less”. He also referred to similarities in the personality of the two leaders and the relevance of Gandhiji’s thoughts and activities in the world today. He also remembered his meeting former Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Van Dong which discussed Mahatma Gandhi for hours where he elaborated the principles of Satyagraha (Truth) and ahimsa (Non-violence). He underscored it is time for us to apply Gandhi's ideas to build a world of no violence, of peace, unity and cooperation.
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| Ambassador Sandeep Arya speaks at the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2024. |
A short video on the life of Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle was run by the Mission followed by a song “Bande Mein Tha Dum” by students of the University of Social Science and Humanities (USSH), recitation of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes, recitation of poems by famous poet Harivansh Rai Bachan dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and a presentation on “Salt March (Dandi March) by USSH Department of Indian Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies Professor Phung Thao. Members of Indian community sang Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite song “Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kaheyey” – which was also sung by famous Vietnamese singer “Phi Nhung”.
To mark the occasion, the Embassy also organized a “Swachhata Hi Sewa” campaign which is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. The member of the Embassy took up cleanliness drive on the premises of the Embassy.
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| Arts performance at the event. |
