Embassy of India in Beirut Commemorates 157th Gandhi Jayanti and International Day of Non-Violence at Embassy premises and Ebel El-Saqi

The Embassy of India in Beirut organized a special commemoration to mark the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi Jayanti) and the International Day of Non-Violence. The event brought together members of the Indian diaspora and Lebanese friends of India to honor Gandhi's timeless legacy of truth, tolerance, and unwavering non-violence.

The commemoration at the Embassy started with a symbolic floral tribute offered to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi by Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh, who was joined by Dr. Younan and the attendees. Following the tribute, an Embassy official Kamal Kumar sung Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite Bhajan- Vaishnav Jana to.

Ambassador Sheikh delivered his remarks emphasizing that Gandhi’s message of truth (satyagraha) and Non violence (Ahimsa) remains more vital in today's world than ever before.

Guest of Honour Dr. Ogarit Younan, founder of the Academic University for Non-Violence and Human Rights and Jamnalal Bajaj International Awardee for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India, also addressed the gathering, sharing an enlightening perspective on how Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophical ideals continue to remain relevant to contemporary human rights and educational initiatives across the region.

Ambassador Sheikh and Dr Ogarit also jointly released the revised Arabic edition of Comic Book on the Life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Two short documentary films, including one by noted Gandhian Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna, were also screened, highlighting the life, global impact and enduring legacy of the Father of the Nation.

Certificates to the winners of the Viksit Bharat competition were presented by H.E. Ambassador, recognizing their exceptional contributions. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the Viksit Bharat winners alongside Ambassador Sheikh and Dr. Younan.

Another Commemoration was held by the Embassy, in association with INDBATT, at the Mahatma Gandhi Park in Ebel El-Saqi, South Lebanon.

The commemoration which was started with a Unity for Peace walk in Ebel Saqi and concluded at the Mahatma Gandhi Park, was attended by Ambassador Sheikh, Mayors, Municipal Council members, UNIFIL’s Sector East Commander Brigardier General Antonio Ortiz Martínez, CONTICO of INDBATT XXVII Col Prasoon Singh, senior UNIFIL officials, and personnel from the Indian Battalion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Indian Ambassador praised the Indian peacekeepers of INDBATT for going beyond their mandated duties to build strong bonds of trust, friendship, and humanitarian cooperation with the people of South Lebanon. The Ambassador noted that the Mahatma Gandhi Park—originally established by INDBATT in 1999—stands as a physical symbol of this tripartite bond between India, UNIFIL, and the local population.

Ambassador Sheikh also detailed several ongoing Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) designed to meet the immediate, practical needs of local municipalities. In this context, the Embassy recently provided five Made-in-India motorcycles to the Jezzine Municipality to boost emergency and local administrative services. Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh also inaugurated a new IT Lab at the Al Fardiss Municipality, featuring 10 computer sets donated by the Government of India, adding that a bust of Mahatma Gandhi would be installed at the Al Fardiss Municipality soon.

Furthermore, the Ambassador announced plans to expand the fully-funded Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme from 75 to 150 civilian training slots, allowing more Lebanese professionals to undergo specialized training in India and enhance professional skills and institutional capacity.

The event concluded with a call to allow Mahatma Gandhi's universal ideals to continue guiding the future of India-Lebanon relations- prioritizing dialogue over division, peace over conflict, and human welfare above all.