Distinguished Panelists, Guests, Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,

A very Good Afternoon to you all.

1.       It gives me great pleasure to join you all at to mark the “Shaheed Diwas”, the day when we recognize the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian Nation who led India’s freedom movement through non-violent struggle and inspired the whole world.

2.       I am also delighted to be at Noakhali. Noakhali has a special position in the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhiji embarked on an epochal tour of Noakhali, at a difficult time of the journey of our nationhood. He covered over 100 miles and visited around 50 villages. His efforts played a pivotal role in maintaining communal harmony in those turbulent times.

3.     January30 every year is a special occasion. As we recognize the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi and reflect on his philosophy, we feel amazed at the continued, or possibly even stronger, relevance today of those simple, yet profound messages in Gandhiji’s teachings and ideals.

4.      Gandhiji’s philosophy of truth, humanism and non-violence shows us the path to deal with today’s global menace of extremism and terrorism. It is in recognition of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and the enduring relevance his philosophy that the whole world marks his birth anniversary every year as the “International Day of Non-violence”

5.      The theme of today’s discussion “The relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in this contemporary world” is greatly pertinent as we realize the profoundness of Gandhiji’s vision of harmony with nature as fundamental to addressing today’s challenges of climate change and environmental degradation and to building a sustainable future for our children.

6.      Even as the world witnesses the widespread shock created by the COVID-19 pandemic for the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, Gandhiji’s message of compassion and care for others, his ideals of empowering the poorest, his emphasis on local economic rejuvenation in the villages, his standing up for the dignity of labour – all these show us different pathways to deal with the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

7.      Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam– that is, the whole world is one single family, is vividly manifest in today’s world more than ever before, when we see developments in one part of the world making an impact across all others. It strengthens our aspirations to connect with each other more strongly and teaches us to work together to overcome the common challenges, such as this pandemic.

8.      I am delighted to share that during its G20 Presidency in 2023, India has decided to adopt the the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which is so closer to our heart. India looks forward to share its development experience with all partner countries, including Bangladesh.

9.    Mahatma Gandhi always set the benchmark for judging any action or policy by the impact it would create on the lives of the poorest. His dream of empowering the poorest of the poor today guides India’s quest for inclusive development through the vision of “Atma-nirbharBharat” and human-centred globalization.

10.    Mahatma Gandhi has given us the universal and timeless message of love, peace, non-violence and Satyagraha, of equality of all peoples and harmony between all religions for all societies and for all peoples.

11.     Gandhiji’s message is more important today than ever before since nations across the world continue to grapple with the threat of conflict, violence and terrorism. For as long as there is temptation to resort to violence in the human mind, the Mahatma’s message of non-violence will tug at our hearts.

12.     As long as there is strife and injustice, as long as there is inequality and indignity in the human condition, as long as there is pain and suffering, as long as there is violence and hatred, the ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi will resonate and find followers everywhere.

13.    I am happy to note that the Noakhali based Gandhi Ashram Trust in Bangladesh is continuing to uphold the ideals of The Mahatma under difficult circumstances by organizing this seminar on Peace, Non Violence and Communal harmony. I am grateful to them and also grateful for giving me an opportunity to speak about the Mahatma. If we can keep striving for promoting Gandhian values our world will be a better place to live in.

14.    I wish the Gandhi Ashram Trust all success in their noble endeavor and appeal to all, including the Bangladesh Government to provide assistance and support to the Gandhi Ashram Trust to preserve this common and valuable heritage.

Thank you.