Hello everyone! How are you all doing in this pandemic situation of 2020? Today is the International Day of Peace and Non-violence. So, I am going to provide you with the complete information about this International Day of Peace, its themes, some inspirational quotes, history, why it is celebrated & how it is celebrated etc.
The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, which is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September. In the Hindi language, it is –
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय शांति दिवस की स्थापना 1981 में संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा द्वारा की गई थी। दो दशक बाद, 2001 में, महासभा ने सर्वसम्मति से अहिंसा और संघर्ष विराम की अवधि के रूप में इस दिन को नामित करने के लिए मतदान किया।
International day of peace was started way back in 1981 through the resolution 36/67 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the day and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.
History of International Day of Peace
The United nation’s International Day of Peace & Non-Violence is annually celebrated in 21th of September to recognise the efforts of individual, organizations & governments to end conflicts and promote peace.
The dove is a symbol often associated with the international day of peace. To inaugurate the day, the United Nation’s peace bell is rung at United Nations headquarter in New York City.
Traditionally it is only rung twice a year. One the 1st day of spring to symbolise the harmony of nature and rededicate the world’s commitment to peace and care of the earth. Then again, exactly six months later, on the 21st of September to celebrate the international day of peace.
The first peace day was celebrated in 1982 and was held on the third Tuesday of September each year until 2002, when September 21 became the permanent date for the international day of peace.
It has grown to include millions of people worldwide and many events are organized each year to commemorate and celebrate this day.
Some groups observe a minute of silence at noon in every time zone across the world on this auspicious day. By creating the international day of peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged people to work in cooperation for this goal.
On the international day of peace, the UN secretary-general rings a bell made from the coins donated by 60 countries and holds a special ceremony to observe this special day.
Themes: International Day of Peace and Non-Violence
This International Day of Peace & non-violence is celebrated every year with different themes to generate interest among people about this day.
The theme for 2017 was “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” This theme is based on the TOGETHER global campaign that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life.
In the year of 2018 United Nation’s Peace Day Theme was “The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70.”
The International Day of Peace 2019 theme was “Climate Action for Peace”. This theme was selected by the United Nations. According to the UN website, “The United Nations calls upon all to take action to tackle climate change.” The theme emphases on the need for combating climate change as a way to defend and promote peace throughout the world.
The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace & non-violence is “Shaping Peace Together.” So, celebrate this day by spreading sympathy, consideration and expectation despite the pandemic. Stand together with the United Nation against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred.
Why peace is important in life?
So, what is peace? Peace is freedom from violence and oppression. Peace is equality regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, religion and cultural background. Peace is respecting the inherent dignity of every person.
What does it mean to you today? Simply for myself, peace is global stability and that people respect each other voices. It is just that simple. Peace helps you understand the surroundings. It makes the mind is like a base to the home, roots to the tree.
Without peace, our friends can be our enemies. At the point when we have peace in our life, we can live next to each other with everybody, attempting to make something delightful or helpful for mankind. So, peace is very important in our life.
If we have peace in our mind and in everybody’s mind/life then no one will spend vitality and money on jealousy, leg-pulling, fighting and ultimate on wars. Peace unites you better with other people. There is a very famous quote given by Mother Teresa about life. That is,
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is a beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it.
6 Pillars of Peace: –
- Low levels of corruption
- Sound business environment
- Well-functioning government
- Good relations with neighbours
- High levels of human capital
- Equitable distribution of resources
What is the importance of non-violence?
Non-Violence is the best power at the removal of humanity. It is the mightiest weapon formulated by the inventiveness of Man, once Mahatma Gandhi said.
Tibetan profound master the Dalai Lama has said that religions underline on the significance of empathy, an apparatus to control savagery. Men execute men for the sake of religion.
One of the important factors is literacy. If all the people of the world will literate then there is less chance of violence and we can think about peace. If all the people are able to read and write so they become independent, able to tackle any problem and engage themselves in various work.
If they are illiterate then they can’t differentiate between peace and violence. Un-education is the biggest factors of rising conflict and leads to violence. So, to promote education and make aware of people about the importance of literacy, International Literacy Day is also celebrated worldwide on 8th September.
Quotes: International Day of peace and non-violence
Here is some international day of peace quotes. These inspirational quotes are given by various famous people of India as well as outside of India. So, let’s begin-
1. “Non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
2. “The path of nonviolence is the path of respect. It is respect towards every being. It is the path of awakening the consciousness of every being.” – Amit Ray
3. “Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa
4. “We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace?” – William Ewart Gladstone
5. “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” – Nelson Mandela
6. “Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” – Martin Luther King
7. “I know, to banish anger altogether from one’s breast is a difficult task. It cannot be achieved through pure personal effort. It can be done only by God’s grace.” – Mahatma Gandhi
8. “The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, act rightly. The soul must languish when we give all our thought to the body.” – Mahatma Gandhi
9. “Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong. Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” – Mahatma Gandhi
10. “I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before anyone even at the cost of your life.” – Mahatma Gandhi
11. “Nonviolence is only for the brave men and women of the world because it requires courage to love the beauty of life, the beauty of humanity and the beauty of the world.” – Amit Ray, Nonviolence: The Transforming Power
12. “Non-violence doesn’t mean we have to passively accept injustice. We have to fight for our rights, we have to oppose injustice.” – Dalai Lama
13. “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will be known peace.” – Jimi Hendrix
Summary: Happy International Day of Peace & Non-Violence
It is a day that was set aside by the united nations general assembly for everyone around the world to devote to keeping the peace, despite any differences they may have, as well as play a part in building a peace culture that will last for generations to come. Also, this is a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace.
This year we celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the declaration of human rights. A piece of our history that has allowed those who came before us to fight for their right to life, liberty and security of person.
Conflict and crimes have forced many people to lose the security of their communities. Now on this international day of peace and non-violence 2020, it is our time to foster a culture of people rather than violence.
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FAQ on International Day of Peace
1. When is the International Day of Peace & Non-Violence celebrated?
Every year the International Day of Peace & Non-Violence is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nation General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
2. Why do we celebrate the International Day of Peace on the 21st of September?
International Day of Peace is celebrated universally on 21 September each year to remember the efforts of those who have worked hard to eliminate the conflicts and promote peace. It is an inspiring reminder of what we can create together. Peace. Let’s give it a chance!
3. Who started the peace & non-violence in India?
Mohandas K. Gandhi Famously known as Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most famous leaders of a non-violent movement was started the slogan of peace and non-violence. He took the religious principle of ahimsa (doing no harm) common to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism and turned it into a non-violent tool for mass action.
4. What is the main idea of International Peace Day?
The main idea is to create awareness and promote the ideals of peace and non-violence.
So, celebrate this day & spread awareness among people about this day and its speciality with #HappyInternationalDayofPeace&Non-Violence. Wishing you all a very Happy International Day of Peace & Non-Violence 2020. So, this is the detailed information about this day.
Thanks for reading.