Kathmandu, October 2

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today urged party leaders and cadres to embrace Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as that could pave the way for peace and prosperity.

Addressing an interaction organised by Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Memorial Foundation here today to mark the 150th Gandhi Jayanti, Deuba said Gandhi, who offered a new philosophy of non-violence, was a great and far-sighted world leader and Nepal could benefit a lot if Gandhi’s non-violence was adopted as the guiding principle here. He said Gandhi freed India from colonial rulers with his philosophy of non-violence.

Senior NC leader Ramchandra Paudel said Gandhism inspired Nepali leaders who championed the cause of democracy in Nepal. He said Gandhism could alone save the world from the danger of nuclear weapons. Paudel said Gandhi and Gautam Budhha spread the message that welfare of human beings was possible through peace and non-violence.

NC Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi said no matter what the opponent said, it was Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence that played catalytic role to bring revolutionary political changes in Nepal. “There are still signs of threat against our federal republican system and I think all Nepalis need to remain vigilant to counter such threats and protect democracy,” he said.

Indian National Congress leader Salman Khurshid remembered the contribution of Gandhi in the development of India. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Sonkar Shastri said Gandhi, who never had a chance to visit Nepal, had tried his best to help Nepal in the aftermath of the 1934 earthquake by writing letters to world leaders seeking help for Nepal.

He said Gandhipath would alone pave the way for peace and prosperity in Nepal.

India’s Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri also highlighted the contribution of Gandhi.