MAHATMA GANDHI – An enlightened leader, an emblematic figure of the 20th century
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi -Mahatma Gandhi is widely known, which in Sanskrit means “Great Soul”, was an enlightened spiritual leader with international influence.
An advocate of non-violence against oppressors at all levels of his political and social life, he faithfully served the principles and values he had set at first for himself, which are reflected in the phrase “The only tyrant I accept is the harsh voice inside me”.
Guided by a well-known phrase “Be you, the change you want to see in the world”, he managed to inspire both his Indian supporters and the international community in the fight against colonialism, racial discrimination and violence.
To honor the memory of the Indian leader, the UN General Assembly decided on June 15 2007 to establish the celebration of International Day of Non-Violence on October 2nd, after Gandhi’s birthday, 02/10/1896.
As part of the strengthening of its relations with India, Greece accepted the donation of the Embassy of India, which concerned the statue of Gandhi which stands now close to the Embassy of India after the event for his unveiling on June 27th. The modest ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr. Nikos Dendias and his counterpart of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmaniam Jaishankar. The ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Athens Mr. Costas Bakogiannis as well as of former Prime Minister Mr. George Papandreou, who is also the chairman of the Greek-Indian Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The symbolic nature of the event shows the respect that the Greek political elite has for the face of the Indian spiritual leader and is the seal of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which began in May 1950, three years after India’s independence in August 15, 1947.
