The power of non-violence -4/10/10

A lot of Indians are now abusing Gandhi. Criticise him by all means, but pl don't abuse him. Let me remind them that Einstein, Tolstoy, Martin Luther King, Mandela, Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi and Obama think that Gandhi was one of the greates man to guide the mankind in modern times. As an Indian we should be proud of him, Hate and abuse only reflect on you.

The power of non-violence -4/10/10

Hamilton Peace March Hamilton, Ontario, Saturday, October 02, 2010 - Annual Gandhi Peace March and activities at Hamilton City Hall Saturday. Despite the rain, an enthusiastic group took to the streets to march.
Barry Gray, The Hamilton Spectator
As a practitioner of “ahimsa,” Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi swore to speak the truth and encouraged others to do the same.

More than 200 people, representing a cross-section of Hamilton’s diverse ethnicity, converged on City Hall Saturday to remember the great spiritual leader’s legacy to the world and to celebrate the 141st anniversary of his birth.

The Peace and Justice Fair, organized by McMaster University’s Centre for Peace Studies, also marked the 18th annual Mahatma Gandhi Peace Festival in this city.

Dr. Yaser Haddara, an electrical engineering professor, gave the keynote address on this year’s theme, The Power of Non-Violence.

“We are here to accomplish something. People who want to be activists for peace, people that want to stand up for justice, people who wish to speak the truth, we need to be a force for change. We need to be a force for good.

“I take it as a test of faith, whatever your faith is, in whatever way you believe in God, in whatever way that you believe in humanity and in whatever way you express your values … I take it as a test of faith that you should want to be a positive force in the lives of the people around you,” said Haddara.

Gandhi pioneered non-violent resistance to political oppression through mass civil disobedience. He was the spiritual leader of the Indian people during their struggle to gain independence from British rule, which occurred on Aug. 15, 1947.

“Gandhi was a galvanizing symbol of world peace, and it is fitting to honour his contributions to building peace and the continued relevance of his philosophy today,” said McMaster professor Rama Singh.

Haddara’s speech was followed by a peace walk through downtown Hamilton and a free vegetarian lunch of Indian food, and entertainment. The festival’s other sponsors are the India-Canada Society and the City of Hamilton.

Mac Peace Week activities continue this week, with a range of activities on campus, including lunch hour lectures and evening workshops.

bbrown@thespec.com

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