Homage to the International Day of Non-Violence
His Holiness Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda with His Excellency the Ambassador of India, Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma and his wife, and other guest
To mark the auspicious occasion of the first International Day of Non-Violence as declared by the United Nations, the Sri Swami Madhavananda World Peace Council under the patronage of its founder His Holiness Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda honoured the Satyagraha legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by holding a Gandhi Jayanti in Austria's capital Vienna festival hall at Karl-Borromaus-Plaz.
His Excellency the Ambassador of India, Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma informed the gathering that this day of 2nd October 2007 actually marked a combination of anniversaries namely the 100th anniversary of Satyagraha, the 60th anniversary of India's independence, and the 100th anniversary of India's 1857 first stand against British rule.
His Excellency Dr. Sharma conveyed that Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence -without the aid of modern internet - touched the hearts of millions of people the length and breadth of India. This was because Gandhi Ji radiated his principles of non-violence, truth and exaltation of means above ends, via direct personal contact with people. He was a living sermon.
During the evening a video presentation depicted the biography of the humble Mahatma and the occasion was highlighted by the colourful and joyful cultural performance of Samandar Khan Manganiar and the Folk Heritage Foundation of India.
His Holiness, Vishwaguru Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda closed the evening with a poignant message saying that we cannot be Mahatma Gandhi but we can strive to live life according to his principles. His Holiness Swamiji then asked all to stand in reverence and to dedicate one minute silent thought and respect to the great life of Mahatma Gandhi, an exemplar of truth, non-violence and self-sacrifice for all times and to also offer a prayer to the citizens of Burma who are suffering due to great turmoil in their country.