Marking the International Day of Non-Violence and the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, UNIFIL’s Indian peacekeepers organized a series of activities including “peace walk” and painting competition for differently abled children earlier this week.

Local residents joined UNIFIL peacekeepers in the 30 September “peace walk” from Mahatma Gandhi Park in Ibl al-Saqi to the surrounding areas, covering the distance of eight kilometres and spreading the message of peace as championed by the legendary Gandhi.

UNIFIL’s Indian peacekeepers organized the painting competition at the Hasbaya Centre for Care and Development on 1 October. The main ceremony was organized at the Mahatma Gandhi Park on 2 October, with the participation of India’s ambassador in Lebanon, Sanjiv Arora, UNIFIL’s Sector East Commander Brigadier General Luis Sanchez Martinez-Falero and local officials.

On 15 June 2007, the UN General Assembly established 2 October, the birthday of India’s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-Violence to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to his belief in non-violence even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the world to follow example of Gandhi.