International Day of Non-Violence is observed to spread public awareness on peace, love and harmonious co-existence.
When is International Day of Non-Violence 2021?
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2nd October every year to commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The day marks the promotion of peace and non-violence, something that Gandhiji preached throughout his life. United Nations internationally recognize this day and thus celebrated to create awareness on peaceful co-existence.
Why is Non-Violence Day celebrated on 2nd October?
The first-ever International Day of Non-Violence was celebrated on 2nd October 2007. The day was perfectly aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday celebrations. Education and public awareness mediums were sought out to send out messages of universal brotherhood and peace throughout the world. The United Nations launched this intellectual endeavour. Nations at war with each other were mainly focused on bringing in cultural transitions between them and establishing peace and communal harmony at all levels.
International Day of Non-Violence 2021 Theme
The common theme surrounding non-violence day is the ideas of peace, nonviolence, service in the name of humanity, spreading love and bringing social reforms. Positive messages are circulated on this day on social media to get people’s attention towards commonly celebrated themes. Some of the standard quotes that rule the day include, “Peace is cheaper when compared to costly wars”.
The theme for International Day of Non-Violence 2021 is undecided yet. The year 2020 theme was “Shaping Peace Together”. Some of the other common theme-inspired quotes include, “Violence spreads more violence, let’s spread love and peace everywhere”. “It’s important to teach peace to attain peace” is another famous themed quote.
Non-Violence Day 2021 Significance
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, is well known for his relentless fight and struggle, which eventually led to India’s independence from British rule. Indians had to put up a stiff battle against every strike from the British to secure freedom from the clutches of British dominated law.
Such was the poignant role of Mahatma Gandhi that people celebrate his father figure even today. He is internationally known for fighting against racial discrimination and facing oppression peacefully’s throughout his life.
Mahatma protested against British rule but maintained his act of non-violence. He conducted marches, movements, protests, and hunger strikes while not crossing the path of non-violence. He intervened and spoke against many of the acts and rules passed by the British.
The Non-cooperation movement, Dandi march, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India movement are examples of his unstoppable spirit in his fight against foreign rule. To celebrate his vigour and continue to preach the message of non-violence to the world, the UN recognized his efforts and set up world ahimsa day.
The international body intends to spread the word of solving disagreements between nations by establishing peace talks. They want to communicate to governments that war is not the only solution to end disputes between countries. Still, peace talks and peaceful resolutions could avoid the majority of people’s problems.
International Day of Non-Violence 2021 Celebration
There are thousands of ways in which this day is celebrated worldwide. The most popular and significant form of celebrating the international day of non-violence is by spreading Mahatma Gandhi’s message. We can volunteer and campaign his preaching and beliefs. We can make slogans and placards displaying peace and love messages and host walkathons to create awareness amongst people.
We can visit schools and colleges and address the student community to tell them about Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and arrange essay and speech writing competitions. We can create a short documentary on Gandhi’s life and showcase it to educational institutions.
This way, people of all age groups could re-visit his experience and learn more about the challenges and oppression he faced during his lifetime. Schools could instil values of non-violence in children by organizing small skits involving children in different roles. Spreading the message of love in little minds could impact a lifetime and make them adapt to living values in peace and calmness.
Let’s serve humanity at its behest and hold back any apprehensions on forging disruptions and economic progress through nuclear warfare’s.