The Hindu : New Delhi News : International Day of Non-Violence observed

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New Delhi

International Day of Non-Violence observed

Staff Reporter

– PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

IN MEMORY OF MAHATMA: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi on Thursday, the first anniversary of the International Day of Non-violence.

NEW DELHI: Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 139th birth anniversary at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti here on Thursday.

A highlight of the programme was a message by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in honour of the Father of the Nation. It was read out by Shalini Dewan of the UN Information Centre here. The occasion was significant as it marked the first anniversary of International Day of Non-Violence.

United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Education Minister Arjun Singh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma were present as 2,000 children from 18 schools in Delhi and the National Capital Region sang patriotic songs during the commemorative programme.

Samiti vice-chairperson Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee and director Savita Singh also paid homage at the Martyr’s Column.

Children perform

Children from different institutions including Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Srijan, the Samiti’s educational centre, spun the “charka” (spinning wheel).

An inter-religious prayer meeting was also held on the occasion.

Hindustani classical singer Shubha Mudgal offered “bhakti” sangeet and “Ram dhun” as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

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