Press Releases
Embassy of India
Baku
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Press Release
02 October 2017
International Day of Non-Violence on Mahatma Gandhi Birth Anniversary celebrated by Tree-Planting Event in Baku
The International Day of Non-Violence on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi was observed in Baku by a tree-planting and cleaning event at Dendrology Park in Mardakan. The UN-established International Day of Non-Violence was observed across the world on October 2 to spread Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violence.
The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is being observed in India by ‘Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS)’, which means ‘Cleanliness is service’, campaign being run in India from 15 September to 2 October 2017. On this occasion, the Embassy of India in Baku along with the Indian Association in Azerbaijan and the students of the Azerbaijan Language University held a cleanliness drive and tree-planting event at Dendrology Park, Mardakan.
In India, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is leading a ‘Clean India Mission’ to fight dirtiness and build toilets in all homes in villages to stop the practice of open defecation. On September 15, 2017, President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind launched a nationwide sanitation campaign (SHS) whereby the people resolved to create a clean and healthy India. The Clean India Mission and SHS campaign have generated a strong interest among the people, particularly among the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Director of Dendrology Institute Mr. Tofiq Məmmədov welcomed the tree-planting initiative with participation of youth. He shared information about the steps being taken in Azerbaijan to increase forestation and preserve bio-diversity of nature.
Leading the Tree-planting event, Dr. Rajani De’Mello, Chairperson of the Indian Association in Azerbaijan reiterated the words of Mahatma Gandhi who had famously said “Cleanliness is Godliness”. She said, Gandhi’s idea about nature and cleanliness are relevant for all times and places. She also thanked the Dendrology Institute, Azerbaijani students as well as the members of the Indian Association in Azerbaijan for taking in the tree-planting and SHS campaign in big numbers.
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