By TCN News,
New Delhi: Assalam Alaikum. Namaskar. May ya haan aakar bahut khush hoon! (I am so happy to be here). With these words United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon began his speech at Jamia Millia Islamia here on Friday. He went on to appreciate the contribution of India in world democracy and that of Jamia Millia in the composit culture of India.
Jamia held a ‘Special Convocation’ on April 27, 2012 to confer the degree of ‘Doctor of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) on Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations. In 2011, Mr. Ban Ki-moon ran unopposed for a second term as Secretary-General and was unanimously re-elected to the post of Secretary General by the General Assembly. He will continue to serve in his current position until 31 December 2016.
The newly appointed Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia Lieutenant General M.A. Zaki (Retired) presided over the special convocation and conferred the degree on Mr. Ban Ki-moon. Mr. Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor, presented him the citation wherein he said: “In honouring him, Jamia Millia Islamia celebrates one of the most acclaimed figures of our times, who – in his person and action – combines the strong foundations of morality and ethics with equally important principles of human rights and dignity. In recognition of his immense contribution to development and world peace, Jamia Millia Islamia confers upon him the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on this 27th day of April, 2012.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Ban Ki-moon said “Thank you for this distinguished recognition. For decades, I have been a student of India. Now I finally have a degree to prove it! Today you do me and the United Nations a special honour. In that spirit, I accept this honorary doctorate on behalf of the women and men who serve the United Nations around the world.”
In his speech full of phrases charming the local audience, Ban Ki-noon said: “For decades, I have been a student of India. Now I finally have a degree to prove it!”
“Because you have been so kind to recognize me – let me begin by sharing a bit of personal history. My journey in foreign service started right here. I arrived in New Delhi exactly 40 years ago, on my first diplomatic posting. It was one of the best things that happened to me. Ever since, I have drawn lessons from the proud history of India. I have learned deeply from your traditions. I have been inspired by your example.”
“The bonds go deeper, still. My son was born in India. Years later, my daughter chose to marry an Indian man. The couple produced what I consider to be the world’s finest joint venture between our two countries – my grandson, Jai! For all these reasons, I say: When I am in India, I am at home.”
After the role of India in making his family, he talked about the role of India in the democracy of the world.
“But far more important than India’s role in my family, is India’s role in the family of nations. That is what I want to speak with you about today. You are the world’s largest democracy. You are an emerging economic leader. You are a superpower on the information superhighway. You are a beacon for the world – proving that democracy and development are one and the same path. As the world’s third largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping – you are the backbone of our efforts to prevent further conflict and keep peace worldwide. You are a co-founder and second-largest contributor to the United Nations Democracy Fund. You are now serving as a crucial member of the UN Security Council, sharing your experiences throughout the Arab Spring.”
Appreciating the role of Jamia Millia Islamia, the UN Secretary General said: India is a union of cultures … religions … languages … all coming together within the fabric of tolerance, understanding and collaboration. Jamia Millia Islamia University richly encapsulates the best of the Indian Muslim tradition reflecting a true cosmopolitan creed.”
“Yet we know that tolerance is being tested here and around the world. It is crucial for India to pass those tests – not only for the country but for our world in which your profile is so distinct and admired. Maulana Azad, a founder of this great university, once said: “The Indian genius has always recognized that truth has many facets. And conflict and hatred arise because people claim a monopoly on truth and virtue. That Indian genius – that need for respecting and safeguarding diversity – is needed everywhere.”
While appreciating women empowerment in India, he also talked about the challenges being faced by the half of the Indian population.
“On the one hand, we see India as the rising global power. On the other hand, India faces many of the challenges of a developing nation. India has a rich tradition of outstanding women leaders. They include not only political figures but, also, vibrant voices of civil society speaking out for women’s rights. You have elected more than one million women to local village councils – a remarkable achievement…”
“There has been progress and innovation and I look forward to seeing that for myself tomorrow in Mumbai. But there is much we must do. Every week, more than 1,000 Indian mothers die from pregnancy or childbirth. Every 20 seconds, an Indian child under five dies from a largely preventable cause. This is one of the most difficult development challenges we face anywhere around the world. But if we can make progress on women’s and children’s health, we can unleash progress across the Millennium Development Goals.”
At the end he asked the young generation to have a big dream and look beyond their own community.
“Look beyond your community. Look beyond your country. Be a global citizen. Bring your energy and your ideas to the United Nations. Be part of our quest for peace, development and human rights everywhere. Remember the words of your own great poet Rabindranath Tagore.
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and, behold … service was joy.”