The Hague launching Gandhi@150 celebrations in the Netherlands
Special commemorative stamps marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi issued by the Indian Postal Department were presented by Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony to former Foreign Minister and Chairman of Carnegie Foundation, Dr. Bernard R. Bot and Director General Erik de Baedts at a function this morning in front of the iconic Peace Palace of The Hague, home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. A large gathering of members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India participated in the function.
Ambassador Venu Rajamony, members of the Indian community, friends of India also participated in a function at the Gandhi statue in The Hague. Ambassador Venu Rajamony garlanded the statue and members of the gathering placed flowers at the feet of the statue as a mark of respect amidst speeches, singing of favourite songs of Mahatma Gandhi. Similar functions to mark Gandhi@150 are also to be held at the location of Gandhi statues in the cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht and Zoetermeer.
An outreach programme called “Follow the Mahatma” is being conducted by the Embassy of India between October 1-5, 2018 under which over 100 volunteers fan out to around 20 schools of the Netherlands to spread the message of non-violence and educate students about life of Mahatma Gandhi. Books on Mahatma Gandhi are being presented to the schools. Ambassador Venu Rajamony visited the Indonesian school in The Hague as part of the program and spoke to students about the life and relevance of Mahatma Gandhi.
A social media campaign with the hashtag #FollowTheMahatma is also being conducted inviting people to post messages reiterating their commitment to the principle of non-violence.
