The United Nations General Assembly has decided to declare October 2 - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in recognition of his role in promoting the message of peace around the world.

The move to get the international community to pay tribute to Gandhi’s ideology was a follow-up to the Satyagraha conference organised by the Congress early this year and a subsequent campaign launched by the government. Speaking at the conference, titled ‘Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment — Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century’, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had called for steps to get the Mahatma’s birthday marked as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The resolution to respect the apostle of humanity and peace was moved in the UN General Assembly by India and co-sponsored by 120 of total 191 members. The resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of non-violence, the gospel taught by Gandhi through out his life and followed by many leaders world over to win the heart of the enemy. Almost all major players of the world like the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and countries from subcontinent like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bhutan are among those co-sponsoring it.

The resolution stresses the need for non-violence, tolerance, full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect for diversity as reinforcements for peace and growth of mankind.

Great leaders such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela achieved immortal success following the Gandhian method of truth and non-violence where everything was perceived impossible by many. If you are interested in more what and who Gandhi was, here is a nice document presented by UNESCO - Commemorating 125th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (PDF)

Brother Mandus once gave a prayer “Beyond a Minute for Peace” in the United Nations Chapel in New York. He believed then; as I do now in a universal brotherhood and that God loves us all. I would now like to offer this prayer again as a healing for all mankind.

Be still and know one truth, that the Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Love. That in the Kingdom of Love we commune with and release love, unto every person on earth. In this love is founded the brotherhood of man, and the eternal purpose of God.

Brother Mandus

9^th January 1907 – 8^th March 1988

“Beyond a Minute for Peace”

A Prayer By Brother Mandus

“Beyond a minute for Peace, is a minute in which we become one with the Father of all mankind. In that state of eternity all things flow under Divine government. The vision of a minute for peace is not a static minute, but is that state of mind through which the wondrous, creative, infinite powers of the Universe spill forth in the highest productivity. It is a moment when one by one across the world we can really come back to God, and discover this channel of communication, this oneness through which God’s love is released into the entire world community.

Therefore, it is much more than just being still, just being quiet even more for the sake of peace. It is being still in the midst of God, out of which the peace, the harmony, the creative surge, the infinite majesty, the perfect everything flow into our experience.

“In this sacred moment, this minute for peace, be still and know one truth, that the Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Love. That in the Kingdom of Love we commune with and release love, unto every person on earth. In this love is founded the brotherhood of man, and the eternal purpose of God.

Thank You, Father for the privilege and miracle of being alive and for the joy of having brotherhood with all people of every race, every colour, every creed and every religion. This is established in Thee, and everyone everywhere, and Thank You Father, that it is so.”