Mahatma Gandhi "great gift" to world

New York (PTI): In a moving ceremony, India's UN Ambassador Nirupam Sen presented a bust of Mahatma Gandhi to President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly Father Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, who described the apostle of peace as a "great gift" to the world.
"This is the best present that I have ever got and I will cherish it forever," Father d'Escoto, who has been greatly influenced by the Gandhian philosophy and had also been a close friend of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, said making no attempt to suppress his emotions.
Describing Mahatma Gandhi as a "great gift" to the world, he said he plans to keep the bust on the main podium of the General Assembly hall as a reminder to the delegates of the importance of following the principles espoused by the Mahatma in fighting the ills of the world.
The world, he stressed, has no choice but to follow Mahatma Gandhi's principles if it is to survive.
He would also ensure that the world body observes the Mahatma's birth anniversary, which it has declared a "Day of Non-Violence", in a big and befitting manner, he said.
People forget, he said, that non-violence is not the only message that the Mahatma had given to the world. His message to fight poverty and ensure equality should not be forgotten.
Asked how the Mahatma would resonate in the UN, he replied that he hoped Gandhi's spirit would take over and guide him and the UN General Assembly if they are to achieve results that would benefit mankind.

Courtesy:thehindu.com
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