Global Indian International School (GIIS) and the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Singapore commemorated the UN International Day of Non-Violence to observe the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at GIIS Queenstown Campus, Singapore. The gathering saw eminent speakers address students of the school on the relevance and importance of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and values of non-violence.

H. E. Ms Vijay Thakur Singh, High Commissioner of India to Singapore, presided as the Guest of Honour at the event while H.E. Ms Hazel Francis Ngubeni, South African High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador Mr K Kesavapany were present as Special Guests. The Keynote Speaker for the event was Prof Seeram Ramakrishna, Vice President (Research Strategy), National University of Singapore. Notable dignitaries included Mr Ameerali Jumabhoy, Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi Committee, GOPIO; Dr V P Nair, President, GOPIO; Mr Lee Kwang Boon, Vice President, United Nations Association of Singapore (UNAS); Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar, Mrs Aparna Temurnikar, Mrs Smita Wargantiwar, Mr Rajiv Vasudeva, Commander Bharat Unercat, GIIS Principals - Ms Madhu Khanna and Ms Melissa Maria, Vice Principal Ms Rekha Varghese, members of GOPIO, GIIS students and teachers.

The event began with a reverential homage to Mahatma Gandhi by the dignitaries which was followed by the traditional lamp lighting at the auditorium. GIIS students delivered a melodious rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn, "Vaishnav Jan to".

Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar formally welcomed the guests to the school as he highlighted the importance of Gandhian values at GIIS which are guided by GSF President, Dr Justice C S Dharmadhikari. H. E. Ms Vijay Thakur Singh, in her address to students, said, "Do your best to integrate with the community (in Singapore), and make your life more meaningful".

The keynote speaker, Prof Seeram Ramakrishna, Vice President (Research Strategy), National University of Singapore, expressed how Mahatma Gandhi inspired him. "He (Mahatma Gandhi) creatively and innovatively united people with diverse motivations and rallied them behind common goals. I believe that such abilities are due to his deep understanding of society and philosophical underpinnings, and compassion for the people," said Prof Ramakrishna. He pointed out that the commemoration of the International Day of Non-Violence on Gandhi Jayanti confirms timeless, global relevance of his philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa or non-violence and Truth, adding, "The ongoing unrest in some parts of the world reiterates the relevance of his insistence on nurturing goodwill among diverse faiths for the world peace. He said that the eye for eye approach would leave the world blind."

Mr Lee Kwang Boon, Vice President, United Nations Association of Singapore (UNAS) presided on the occasion to deliver a special message from United Nations@aps@ Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, on this occasion. "We have to foster a culture of peace, built on dialogue and understanding, for living together in harmony while respecting and celebrating humanity@aps@s rich diversity. There is no greater tool than education to enhance human dignity, promote a culture of non-violence, and build lasting peace. Through education, we can craft new ways of living with each other and the planet," read the message.

GIIS@aps@ IB Year 2 student, Harshjyot Singh addressed the audience and emphasised on the relevance of Gandhian values which are imparted through a structured @aps@Peace Curriculum@aps@ across GIIS campuses worldwide. He ended his speech with a quote which resonated on the minds of all GIIS students in the auditorium. "I would like to speak a few lines written by our beloved Bapu as a message to the youth. @aps@Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny@aps@."

H.E. Ms Hazel Francis Ngubeni, penned message to commemorate the occasion, "Bapu Mahatma Gandhi would be at peace if his principles lived on in each one of us, honouring his memory".