By IANS,
United Nations : The United Nations has released a one-dollar colourful postal stamp of Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate the 140th birth anniversary of the apostle of peace observed Friday as the International Day of Non-violence.
The stamp, released here Friday by the UN Postal Administration, the world body’s postal agency, has been designed by Miami-based artist Ferdie Pacheco, with the Father of the Nation in red, blue and gold.
First Day Covers marked with the stamp and the United Nations’ seal were also put on sale.
A successful pharmacist and doctor, who has worked as a corner man for 12 world champions, including Muhammad Ali, Pacheco has also served as a commentator for NBC and won two Emmy awards. The artist was represented by his daughter Tina and granddaughter Alexis.
Several UN envoys, present at a function organised by the Indian mission to celebrate his 140th birth anniversary, reiterated the influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s life.
“In many ways, Mahatma Gandhi pre-visioned the UN. Much of the work that we do in the area of human rights owes its genesis in the struggle against racial discrimination, which he focused on,” said Hardeep Puri, India’s permanent representative to the UN.
Paying tribute to Gandhi, US envoy to the UN Susan Rice said, “Gandhi had influenced millions of Americans. Gandhi believed that physical force could be turned aside by moral forces.”
All over New York City, small and big events were organised to mark the occassion. In the morning, New Yorkers gathered to sing Gandhi’s favourite songs and paid floral tribute at his statue at Union Square in Manhattan.
“Gandhi has to be celebrated all over the world because his message echoes around the globe,” said Prabhu Dayal, the consul general of India in New York.