— during 151st birth anniversary

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed world renowned Indian freedom fighter, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as a man who was physically small but towering in moral, religious and political stature, during the observance of his 151st birth anniversary.

In a televised message, President Ali said the life of Gandhi is globally known and the admiration and respect of succeeding generations bear testimony of what a great soul he was.
“The grandeur of human achievements – including fame, status, reputation and glory – often fade with the passage of time. The enduring achievements are those which impact greatly and positively on the lives of others. It is for this reason that Mahatma Gandhi continues to enjoy the adoration and respect of each succeeding generation. He was truly a Great Soul,” the President emphasised.
He added: “The Mahatma (great soul) remains a timeless figure in history, a man of deep moral and spiritual convictions whose impact on history and especially on the lives of the people in his country cannot be devalued or diminished, not by time or revisionists. Mahatma Gandhi’s life straddled historical developments in both the 19th and 20th centuries; he remains respected the world over.”

Recalling his defiance against injustice and his defence of civil rights, President Ali said Gandhi’s ideals for a free and democratic society is significant to India’s independence, along with his impact on the anti-colonial struggles everywhere.
The President said India remains the world’s most populous democracy as Gandhi’s values, vision and his virtues have been an important foundational stone in India’s democracy.
“Gandhi once said, ‘Democracy, disciplined and enlightened, is the finest thing in the world’. He described true democracy as one which promotes the ‘welfare of the people’,” the President noted.
Gandhi, he said, tapped the human, economic and spiritual resources of all sections of society and deployed this in “the service of the common good”.
“The Republic of Guyana has just emerged from a bruising test of its democracy. My government is committed to strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and to insulating them from the threat of being undermined. In this task, we can draw wisdom from the Mahatma. His commitment to non-violence and his respect for civil liberties are important cornerstones in erecting an impregnable democratic rampart,” the Head of State said.

NON-VIOLENCE
Gandhi preached non-violence as a path to freedom as democracy requires disputes to be settled through peaceful and lawful means, Dr. Ali said.
“It involves a commitment to respecting the law and the rights of others and rejecting violence as a solution to resolving differences, disputes and discontents. Gandhi shared the view that violence and democracy were incompatible. According to him, democracy which is sustained by violence cannot protect the weak,” President Ali said.
Gandhi, he said, is considered as champion of non-violence. Non-violence, for him, involved the absence of ill-will and required considerable restraint as he urged the avoidance of inflicting injury and harm to others.

“He viewed non-violence, not as a weakness, but as an ethically superior model to violence. It is for this reason that Gandhi chose non-violence above hatred, love over hatred, forgiveness over retribution and order in preference to chaos,” the President added.
Underscoring that respect for civil rights is an essential element of democratic governance, the President said these rights assure citizens protection of the law and from discrimination whilst facilitating their fuller participation in society.
“When we engage in strife, we undermine the very foundations of our democratic system. For each of us, therefore, we have a duty to preserve peace and justice in our society. Change begins with each person. Each of us makes a difference by banishing the vices of hatred and bitterness from among our hearts. We must build a society based on understanding, respect and tolerance,” the President said.
Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, on Friday morning, also observed the birth anniversary of the Indian civil rights icon and was present at a function held at the Mahatma Gandhi Monument, located in the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown.

WORTH EMULATING

Phillips said the qualities of Gandhi are worth emulating, pointing out few individuals throughout history have left such influential and far-reaching marks in their lifetime, from civil rights in South Africa, to championing women’s rights and empowerment, to fighting for Independence for his beloved India.
Gandhi’s legacy, he said, is one that encapsulates a widespread, genuine interest in peace, freedom and humanity.
But more importantly, the Prime Minister said his greatest gift to this world was his philosophy of Satyagraha or non-violence with regard to political and social progress.
“The most extraordinary gem of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and his principles is that they do not serve one people. They serve the world– every country, every nation and every generation. These doctrines can enlighten our children and our children’s children no matter their religion, location, class, or culture,” PM Phillips said.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister laid floral tributes in honour of the Mahatma and was gifted the auto biography of Gandhi, “The story of my experience with truth”. He also received a commemorative stamp to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi that was issued by the Guyana Post Office Corporation.
The items were handed over to the Prime Minister by High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa.
Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; and Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine. They also received tokens of appreciation.