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Remarks of Ambassador of India to Venezuela H.E. Mr. Abhishek Singh on the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Square, Caricuao on 2 October, 2022

Posted on: October 02, 2022 | Back | Print

Remarks of Ambassador of India to Venezuela H.E. Mr. Abhishek Singh on the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Square, Caricuao on 2 October, 2022

 

His Excellency Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa, Foreign Minister of Venezuela

Her Excellency Capaya Rodriguez, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Representatives of local Community Council,

Members of the Indian community in Venezuela,

Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

          Let me, at the outset, convey our sincere greetings to all on the 153rd birth anniversary of the father of my nation, Mahatma Gandhi.  It is also a matter of great happiness for all of us that once again we are celebrating Gandhiji’s birth anniversary during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is the celebration of India’s independence.  We also recall that it was under the guidance and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi that countless millions of Indians joined the freedom struggle and attained independence for my country. Today we also remember all the freedom fighters.

 

2.       I am truly privileged to be at the Gandhi Square in Caricuao for the third time during my tenure in Venezuela.  In fact, I always look forward to coming to Caricuao not only to meet and greet the very hospitable people, but also to seek the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi at this famous Gandhi Square.  The occasion of the celebrations of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is one for deep reflection of the continued relevance of his philosophy as also the abiding need to spread Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless philosophy of Ahimsa or non-violence.

 

3.       Since March 2020, the world has witnessed unprecedented disruptions due to Covid-19.  The pandemic has further strengthened the resolve of the world to discard any divisive ideas and to adopt, for all times to come, ideals of peace and unity.

Friends,

4.       While fighting against what seemed to many at that time a daunting task, Gandhiji stuck to the ideals of non-violence and did not compromise the same to achieve quick results.  Gandhiji always believed in the philosophy of ‘simple living and high thinking’ and not the other way around.  During the Covid pandemic, the world has realized that we have to live within our limited means.  In the initial part of the pandemic, when movement was highly restricted, the world was also forced to restrict the use of material goods which one took for granted.  Gandhiji had always laid emphasis on ‘to be guided by one’s need and not by one’s greed’.

Amigos,

5.       Government of India, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took upon itself the task of not only to take care of the 1.3 billion people living in India, but also to do its utmost for the people across the world.  Be it the supply of vaccines as part of ‘Vaccine Maitri’ or supply of Covid-related medicines during the initial phase of the pandemic.  In fact, one of my first duties as Ambassador was to hand over 4 tons of Covid-related medicines to the Government and the people of Venezuela in August 2020.

 

6.       Friends, the world continues to witness several conflicts which have led to unacceptable levels of violence and destruction.  Gandhiji’s abiding faith in peace and non-violence is even more relevant today.  The path of peace has never been easy, as it requires considerable maturity and self-restraint, which does not seem to be the order of the day in many parts of the world.  I would think that it falls on the current generation and the next generation to ensure that despite provocations, one must never leave the path of non-violence.  History has shown that though the path of non-violence may be long and arduous, but the results are also longlasting.

Amigos,

7.       India is a shining example of what Mahatma Gandhi preached.  Though it took many years for us to obtain our independence, and we also lost countless freedom fighters, the polity and the society that came out of our struggle is indeed an ideal for many countries.  Today India is not only the world’s largest democracy, but also one of the fastest growing economies of the world.  Despite the huge diversity that India presents, the people of India have lived in harmony and have shown to the world the truest meaning of what ‘Unity in Diversity’ stands for.

Friends,

8.       India has an abiding faith in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the world is one family.  During the Covid pandemic, India as a nation, rose to the occasion by not only taking care of its own people, but of people across the world, whereby not only generating unprecedented goodwill and friendship, but also contributing in one of the most significant manners to the global public health.  If somebody truly embodies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to my mind, it is Mahatma Gandhi.  Today we not only honour Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy, but also rededicate ourselves to the causes for which Mahatma Gandhi also laid down his life.

 

9.       Friends, in conclusion, I would again like to thank His Excellency Carlos Faria Foreign Minister of Venezuela, for his kind presence.  I would also like to thank the local authorities of Caricuao Municipality for assisting us in organizing this celebration.  We look forward to our continued friendly engagements with the people of Caricuao and with the people of Venezuela.

 

Long live India-Venezuela Friendship!

Long live the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi!

Thank you!

 

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