By IANS
New Delhi : Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee Monday emphasised the need for “fostering international peace and security” on Commonwealth Day.
“Let us on this occasion rededicate ourselves to the cause of the Commonwealth, that is, fostering international peace, security and democracy,” Chatterjee stated in a written observation in the house.
Chatterjee also emphasised the need of “liberty of the individual and equal rights for all, and eradication of poverty, ignorance and disease”.
The origins of Commonwealth Day date back to 1898 when Clementina Trenholme, author and social organiser, introduced Empire Day in Canadian schools on the last school day before May 24, Queen Victoria’s birthday. It was instituted in England in 1904 by Lord Meath.
In 1958, Empire Day was renamed Commonwealth Day, in accordance with the new post-colonial relationship between the nations of the former empire. The day is marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey in London and is normally attended by the queen of England, who is head of the Commonwealth.