Following Gandhian And Mandela’s Principles For Better Future

The Gandhi Mandela Peace Initiative organized at Imperial, New Delhi on July 11, celebrated the 150th birth-anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 100th birth-anniversary of Nelson Mandela. In his welcome speech Dr. Anurag Batra, Founder, Believe Foundation appreciated the efforts of Tarina Patel, Founder of RBP Foundation and Kartikeya Sharma, Founder of The Guardian Foundation for organizing the initiative along with him.    

Batra said that Gandhi has the possibility of being the tallest leader in the world and Nelson looked up to Gandhi. "The two individuals were epitome of sacrifice, forgiveness - whom we all can look up to", Batra added.    

Giving his own background of coming from a middle-class family from Gurgaon and reaching to where he is now, Batra emphasised the core principle of his foundation was 'whatever you believe in, comes out to be true'.    

Looking forward, Batra said that in the next five years Gandhi and Mandela Initiative will become as big as any initiative in the world.   

While addressing the audience, Tarina Patel showed gratitude for partnering with the Believe Foundation for this noble initiative. She further remembered her father Ramanbhai Patel’s teachings on the real meaning of wealth which is not in ‘monetary’ terms but the wealth that promotes active citizens to spread good work, give, uplift, and above all, influence. 

Focussing on the issue of availability of healthcare services to the impoverished, Patel said, “As a doctor he selflessly serviced, and he held to believe that the world is entitled to healthcare. Further, he strongly argued that healthcare shouldn’t be the prevailer of the privilege but a right for”.   

Throughout her speech, Tarina focused on the importance of Gandhian and Mandela’s values of giving, sharing, and helping society. She also focussed on the importance of the dialogue in accepting willingness and diversity through which we can construct harmony in the world.    

Kartikeya Sharma highlighted through his speech that although the world might be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 100th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela, the focus should be on their doctrine of peace.   

Further, acknowledging Gandhian and Mandela’s values, Sharma quoted Gandhi “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed”. Further, he said, “For the world, humans are letting it down with never-ending social fabric and growing disparity, Gandhi and Mandela have always shown the way out of the issue”.   

Utilising the opportunity, Kartikeya informed about ‘Askgandhi.in’, a platform which will aim to connect individuals. The platform will contribute to and promote the knowledge and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.