On the occasion of the 139th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which was also the Second International Day of Non-violence, a function was jointly organised by the Indian High Commission, London, and the India League at Tavistock Square in Central London on October 2, 2008.

The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, Deputy Mayor of Camden Council, Councillor Omar Faruque Ansari, senior members of the India League, President of the Overseas Indian Congress, Mr. Balwant Kapoor and members of the media paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee dwelt on the teachings of the apostle of peace and non-violence - Mahatma Gandhi - and how the principles of non-violence were practised by Mr. Nelson Mandela to transform the South African society.

He also impressed that the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi are still relevant to the society and called on the people to follow the path of non-violence.

Paying tributes, the Deputy Mayor Camden Council said that they were very fortunate to have the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the vicinity of the Council. He added that he and his colleagues in Council draw inspiration from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

In the evening, a programme to celebrate Second International Day of Non-violence was organised by the Nehru Centre, Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India. Prof. Lord Bhikhu Parekh, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and of the Academy of the Learned Societies for Social Sciences and a Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Westminster, delivered a talk on “International Day of Non Violence – Is Gandhi Still Relevant?” The talk was followed by screening of a short film ‘Does Gandhi Matter?’ and singing of Bhajans. The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, other members of the High Commission and the general public were also present on the occasion.

The High Commission of India also brought out a special issue of ‘India Digest’ dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the Second International Day of Non-violence.