DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration leadership led by President Dr Lobsang Sangay organised a brief function at the Kashag Secretariat today to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, referred to as the father of nation.

The function was attended by Kalons, Secretaries and senior officials of the various departments of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) is also marked as the International Day of Non-violence as per a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly on 15 June 2007.

President Dr Sangay lighted a butter lamp in front of a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and hoisted the Indian national flag to honour the occasion.

Speaking to the press following the brief ceremony, President Dr Lobsang Sangay reaffirmed the CTA’s deep commitment to non-violence under the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the issue of Tibet.

“Like India, we the Tibetan people follow non-violence in our freedom struggle. We hope and pray that we will succeed in the path of non-violence for the cause of Tibet just like India,” Dr Sangay said.

“Gandhiji is not just the father of the Indian freedom struggle. He is also a strong advocate of education and environmental conservation. Likewise, the Tibetan administration emphasises on education as its most important domestic priority,” he added.

“Environmental conservation is also a key focus of Gandhiji. Even in the case of Tibet, environment is of crucial significance as it is the water tower of Asia. Therefore, I hope Gandhiji’s messages are spread across the world even more so now than before in this age of growing violence, nationalism and extremism,” Dr Sangay said.

Employing non-violence and peaceful agitations against the British Raj, Gandhiji has led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2 October 1869.