Mahatma Gandhi's values serve as moral compass for enlightened leadership: PM Modi
New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the values promoted by Mahatma Gandhi serve as moral compass for enlightened leadership, hosting a high-level event on the sidelines of the 74th UNGA in the ECOSOC Chamber of the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
In his address, Modi said that Mahatma Gandhi’s faith in collective will, shared destiny, moral purpose, people’s movements and personal responsibility are extremely germane to contemporary times.
He said that violent conflict, terrorism, economic inequalities, socio-economic deprivation, pandemics and the looming existential threat of climate change are impacting people, states and societies. Leadership is crucial to addressing any and every one of these issues and the values promoted by Gandhi serve as moral compass for enlightened leadership.
The Prime Minister talked about the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi to the cause of greater human freedom in the 20th century; emphasis on the welfare of all (Sarvodaya); championing of the downtrodden (Antyodaya); and prescient concern for environmental sustainability.
Mahatma Gandhi never held positions of power.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2019
Yet, he motivates people around the world.
Millions of people, several nations drew strength from his ideals and attained freedom. pic.twitter.com/bGQYjLjlIX
The event was graced by António Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand.
Other dignitaries who took part in the event include Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering, First Lady of Republic of Korea Kim Jung-Sook, senior officials of the UN and diplomats from member states.
The participating dignitaries together inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park at the UN Headquarters (contributed by Government of India to the UN), the Gandhi Peace Garden at State University of New York College at Old Westbury and unveiled the special commemorative edition of the Gandhi@150 Postage Stamps brought out by the UN Postal Administration.
In a time when everybody is thinking- how to impress, we must remember what Mahatma Gandhi stood for- how to inspire. pic.twitter.com/qvnX7o2La6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2019
Secretary General Guterres said that Gandhi gave us a talisman to judge any policy and indeed any action – to assess if the proposed action would enhance the life, dignity and destiny of the poorest person we had met. Sanitation, maternal health, primary education, gender balance, women empowerment, reduction of hunger, and ensuring partnerships for development formed the basis for Gandhi's life and practice long before the MDGs or SDGs were designed. In fact, the Sustainable Development Goals are Gandhian philosophy in action.
Image Credit: Narendra Modi Twitter
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