Gandhi Mandela Foundation & USI Celebrate Nelson Mandela Day


15:00-15:15	Arrival of the Guests at the Auditorium 1, USI, New Delhi
15:15-15:16	Welcome of the Guests by the Indian Army Band at Auditorium 1, USI, New Delhi
15:16-15:17	National Anthem by the Indian Army Band
15:17-15:19	Lamp lighting by the dignitaries present on the dais.
15:19-15:29	Cultural performance by the Choir of Suraj Bhan DAV Public School, New Delhi
15:29-15:33	Cultural Performance by the Youth Wing of GMF
15:33-15:35	Welcome & felicitation of the dignitaries present on the dais & Ambassadors/ High Commissions from various nations
15:35-15:40	Welcome speech by Shri Shankar Aggarwal (National Director, GMF) and Shri Shyam Jaju (National President, GMF)
15:40-15:42	Address of Shri Dayakar Ratakonda (Board Member, GMF)
15:42-15:45	Address of Mr. Kedir Omar (HoRD, ICRC)
15:45-15:55	Address of Maj. Gen. P K Goswami (Retd.) (Deputy Director General, USI)
15:55-16:10	Address of Smt. Savita Singh (Vice Chairman, GMF)
16:10-16:12	Address of H. E. Mr. Federico Salas Lotfe (Ambassador of Mexico)
16:12-16:14	Vote of Thanks by Ms. Ayushi Malviya (Executive Vice President, GMF)
16:14-16:16	Group Photograph
16:16-16:20	Departure of Guests followed by High- Tea and Networking

Key Takeaways:

On 18th July 2024, The United Service Institution (USI) of India in collaboration with the Gandhi Mandela Foundation celebrated Nelson Mandela Day on his 106th Birth Anniversary. Representatives from the embassies of various African and other countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, Panama, Peru, Jamaica, Qatar, Kenya etc. attended the event.

Nelson Mandela is recognized for being the harbinger of anti-apartheid movements during South Africa’s national struggle for freedom. He is remembered for his adept statesmanship and revolutionary persona. Parallels are drawn between Mandela and Gandhi, two fierce advocates of equality and peace, and their reformatory contributions to counter colonial rule.

Shri Dayankar Ratakonda, board member GMF, called for reminiscing about the freedom struggle in Africa, which was characterized by the imposition of apartheid and imperialist norms. The end of apartheid in Africa called for not only the formation of a democratic government in 1994, but also the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. It devised ways of fast tracking the addressing of human rights violations committed during colonial rule.

Cultural Performance

Mr. Kedir Omar, Head of Regional Development of the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC), emphasised the role of ICRC in maintaining International Humanitarian Law given its principles of humanity, neutrality and friendship. The main aim of ICRC is to create peaceful conditions amid instances of socio-ethnic conflicts, human rights violations, etc. The responsibility of the international community and civil society to carry the discourse on peace was reiterated, especially during turbulent geopolitical conditions.

Welcome and Felicitation Ceremony

Maj Gen P K Goswami VSM (Retd), Deputy Director General, USI highlighted the role of education as a tool for empowerment of the masses. The prevalence of poverty, climate change, and AI call for revamping crisis management and redressal techniques. The need to engage in charitable acts of resilience and compassion were underlined to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy and build an inclusive world.

Address of Mr. Kedir Omar Address of Maj. Gen. PK Goswami

Report by: Arshiya Khanna, Research Intern CS3

UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION OF INDIA