New
Delhi- To Mark
Nelson Mandela’s 94th Birthday Celebrations, New Delhi joined the
world over in celebrating the life, values and contributions of uTata Nelson
Mandela to humanity. Together with Sun Foundation and
a bikers’ organization called Free Souls, the South African High Commission
inspired hundreds to participate in the Bikers for Mandela Day Ride where
participants generously donated to the Touch of Hope Foundation, an Indian NGO
providing a humanitarian response to the plight of the HIV/AIDs epidemic in
India. In addition, New Delhi, in its numbers responded to the call by the South
African High Commissioner Rev. Harris Majeke and Sun Foundation’s Chairman Padma
Shri Vikramjit Sahney and dedicated 94 minutes to charity, the Touch of Hope
Foundation, in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s age-94 years-a lifetime devoted
to humanity.
The
Bikers for Mandela Day Ride started at the South African High Commission
through to the heart of Delhi to culminate at Satyagrah Mandap, Raj Ghat, New
Delhi. Braving the snarling traffic and unpredictable temperament of the
monsoon, the bikers, both men and women, contributed to humanity in the best way
they know how-by riding their bikes to deliver their generous gifts to the Touch
of Hope Foundation. Children of the Sun Foundation and Springdales schools
gathered along the path at Raj Ghat with flowers to hand to the bikers and other
dignitaries and to greet everyone in the spirit of UBUNTU. It was a moment of
pure joy when all the children and guests gathered at Raj Ghat sang “Happy
Birthday Madiba! Long live Madiba!”
Raj
Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, was carefully chosen as the preferred
venue due to its significance and symbolism because Mahatma Gandhi had a very
influential role in shaping the ideology of Nelson Mandela and the history of
South Africa. It was also Mahatma Gandhi who inspired Nelson Mandela with the
concept of satyagrah and non violence which led to Mandela introducing “passive
resistance” against apartheid.
“These few minutes may sound very little but if each one
of us took time off to contribute to social development, together a lot could be
achieved for a better life for all,” said High Commissioner Rev. Harris
Majeke at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Vikramjit Sahney of Sun
Foundation also agreed with High Commissioner Majeke and said: “this event
has a mission to spread a message of Nelson Mandela to each household worldwide
that we must strive for the upliftment of disadvantaged people, non-racialism,
and a peaceful global community that is healthy in mind, body and
spirit.”
The
occasion was also graced by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit and
the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Professor Rajmohan Gandhi who shared their
heartfelt and inspiring messages on Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi as well as
the long standing relationship between South Africa and India. In addition, the
sound of music, film and song also added to the joy of the
event.
Nelson
Mandela International Day is a commemorative campaign with a message calling for
individuals, people everywhere, and the world at large to take action, to
inspire change, and to make everyday a Nelson Mandela day. “It is a call for
people to take responsibility of their communities and give back to humanity in
whatever way possible”, said High Commissioner Majeke at a Press Conference
promoting Nelson Mandela International Day on 17 July
2012.
Indeed
the event on 18 July 2012 echoed those exact sentiments. All in all, the day was
truly commemorative in that in honoured the legacy of Nelson Mandela and his
spirit, values and message through pure volunteer services to the community. The
South African High Commission in New Delhi remains forever humbled by the people
of India who each took up the cause of Nelson Mandela International Day and made
it their own. Over 30 schools with more than 300 children from schools such as
Bluebells and Springdales in New Delhi, and the public united with the South
African High Commission in order to commemorative this great man we call Madiba.
We are forever thankful to the Government and the people of India who always
remind us that together, we can indeed achieve a better life for all.
Together, we take action! Together, we inspire change!
Together, we make Every Day, Mandela Day!
Happy Birthday Madiba!
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