New Delhi:
Gandhi Mandela Foundation organized ‘Mandela Day’ at Satyagraha Mandap, Gandhi Darshan and Gandhi Smriti, Rajghat, New Delhi on the 107th birth anniversary of the great South African leader and father of the nation, Nelson Mandela.
The program began with paying floral tribute to the photo of Nelson Mandela. The ceremony began with Advocate Nandan Jha, founder and general secretary of Gandhi Mandela Foundation, speaking about the foundation and introducing the dignitaries present. Describing the foundation, he said, ‘This organization promotes the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela such as individual freedom, civil liberty, truth, non-violence and human rights across the world.
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation awards the world’s prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award to honour leaders who promote peace, non-violence, culture and social welfare throughout the world. He informed that the first Gandhi Mandela Award for promoting global peace was given to spiritual guru Dalai Lama.
The second award has been given to human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, feminist, ‘Rigoberta Manchu Tum’ in Mexico.Â
On this occasion, Vice President of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Vijay Goyal said that, ‘The more Nelson Mandela stayed away from us, the more his thoughts came closer to us.
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Whatever we are talking about Mandela’s ideas, we are not doing it for others, but for ourselves. During the Emergency, I went to jail after doing Satyagraha. During the 17-18 years when Mandela was in jail, his supporters and wife kept the movement alive, they should also get credit for that. Today is the day for all those people who are fighting for humanity, equality. Because of Mahatma Gandhi, they remained steadfast on non-violence. Nelson Mandela never met Mahatma Gandhi but he imbibed Gandhi’s thoughts.
Ram Lal, Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)’s Sampark Vibhaag, said, ‘Some people follow the path made by others but Mandela made a different path and the world walks on it. Following the path made by him will bring happiness, peace and goodwill all over the world.Â
Today is a day to remember those who fought for freedom, equality and against oppression, and for press freedom. He said that after Mandela became president, apartheid ended but fears were being expressed that there should be no movement or discrimination against the whites who oppressed people on the basis of their skin colour. It was the personality of Nelson Mandela that there was no discrimination or oppression against the whites.
The vote of thanks for the function was given by Shyam Jaju, former National Vice President of BJP and National President, Gandhi Mandela Foundation.Â
Other dignitaries present on the occasion of Mandela Day included Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (Jury Chairman, Gandhi Mandela Award, GMF), former Chief Justice of India and former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, “Mandela and Gandhi stand as towering pillars of peace, justice, equality, and non-violence. From building homes to shaping nations, their legacies continue to inspire generations. Today, we salute both of them for their unwavering commitment to humanity and their timeless contributions to a better world”, he said.Â
Dr. Obijiofor Egyinam (Director, UNESCO MGIEP), “Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to the fight for justice, equality, human rights, and against racial discrimination. On this auspicious occasion of International Nelson Mandela Day, I feel deeply honored and proud to be part of such a significant and meaningful event”, he said.
Mr. Sanjeet Kumar (Director, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti), and ambassadors and representatives of several countries were present.
