Gandhi Jayanti celebrated in Moscow, 02 October 2014
Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated on 02 October at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Indira Gandhi Square in Moscow. About 250 members of the Indian community and Russian friends of India attended. Floral tributes were offered by the Ambassador of India, the Ambassador of Mauritius and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of India, H.E. P.S. Raghavan recalled the extraordinary political movement led by Mahatma Gandhi to secure India’s independence, with non-violence and national unity as its cornerstones. He said the universal and perennial relevance of Gandhiji’s message is illustrated by the international observance of October 2 as International Day of Non-violence. The Ambassador drew attention to the influence of Russian author-philosopher Leo Tolstoy on the evolving political philosophy of Gandhiji in the late 19th century.
Ambassador Raghavan informed the gathering of the Swachh Bharat initiative launched today by the Prime Minister of India and administered the “Swachhata Pledge” (Pledge for cleanliness) to all Indians present.
In his remarks, Prof Sergei Serebriany of Russian State University for Humanities highlighted the need for more literature in the Russian language on Mahatma Gandhi’s life and philosophy.
Children of the Embassy of India School enthralled the gathering with patriotic songs and bhajans.
