UN declares Gandhi's birthday as day of non-violence

NEW DELHI, Saturday, (AFP)

The United Nations will observe the birth anniversary of Indian icon Mahathma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence every year, it said in a statement on Saturday.

The UN called upon all member nations and individuals to commemorate October 2 in "an appropriate manner and to disseminate the message of non-violence." The resolution was introduced by India. Gandhi's descendants hailed the move, but said the gesture should not only be symbolic. "It's welcome but not enough.