Bhubaneswar, Jan 31: Speaking in a National Conference on “Remembering Mahatma Gandhi: Compassion and Relevance for our times” at Xavier University City Campus Governor Dr SC Jamir said, Gandhiji’s socio-economic is as striking as his political impact.

The two-day long Conference, organised by the Centre for Humanities and Compassion Studies, Xavier University, Bhubaneswar will culminate on January 31.

Stressing upon the relevance of Gandhian thoughts the Governor said, Gandhi accepted the reality of interconnectedness of all spheres of life and discussed their essential and inevitable effect on one-another and, therefore, called for solution of conflict, disputes, problems and struggles without any prejudice. He particularly inspired and encouraged people to be ready to action to win justice, freedom and equality on the basis of high human values, particularly non-violence. Gandhiji called for readiness to compromise always, but without surrendering self-respect, and by abiding to truth and morality.

Governor further said, Gandhiji’s dedication to non-violence (Ahimsa) was uncompromising. The non-violence, as always in Gandhian thought, meant not only avoiding violent action, but cleaning the heart of hatred and bitterness. The world has recognized Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence as United Nations honoured him by declaring 2nd October, his birth anniversary as International day of Non-violence.

In the current perspective, when globalization is on rise day-by-day. Gandhian view fully imbued by non-violence, has special significance for those fighting or working for peace at the global level. It is because Gandhian view accepts all the spheres of human life as the essential parts of an ‘Indivisible Whole’, Governor observed.

Now in the 21st century, Gandhiji is a world phenomenon. It means, as if he has been reborn. The world knows that Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and a host of the geniuses of the world have followed the footprints of the great Mahatma, the Governor recalled.

Dignitaries on the dias, Major General Chris J Eze (retired), High Commissioner, Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Ashok Das, Vice Chairman, Odisha State Higher Education Council, and SN Sahu, Former OSD and Press Secretary to the late President of India, KR Narayanan, Prof. Dr. Fr. Paul Fernandes, S.J., Vice Chancellor, Xavier University, Fr. E. A. Augustine, S.J. Registrar, Xavier University spoke on the occasion.

Various technical sessions were conducted in which the teachers and students spoke on the various subjects.