History of the peace day

Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent Indian independence leader known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, was tragically assassinated on January 30th, and continues to serve as a powerful symbol of peace and inspiration for the annual observance of International Peace Day.

Honoring Gandhi's Legacy

Every year on January 30th, the world marks School Day for Nonviolence and Peace, initiated by Spanish poet, teacher, and pacifist Lorenzo Vidal in the 1960s. Today, the holiday is celebrated for the 56th consecutive year. The School Day for Nonviolence and Peace is a non-governmental, non-official, independent, free and voluntary initiative in the field of education, whose main principles are the absence of violence and the promotion of pacifism. Participants of this holiday include representatives of the educational sphere, namely students and teachers in various countries around the world. This date was not chosen by chance, as on January 30th the world honors the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, a fighter for Indian independence, whose main philosophy was the absence of violence. Gandhi was shot on January 30th, 1948.

Gandhi was born in 1869 in a religious and affluent family in the Indian state of Gujarat. He became one of the most famous leaders of the Indian independence movement and advocated for non-violent resistance. Mahatma Gandhi's methods of resistance included acts of civil disobedience through boycotting British goods and openly violating certain laws. He was also an ardent advocate against cast discrimination. He invited the lowest casts into his ashram, dined with them, traveled in carriages designated for their use, and conducted public hunger strikes as a form of protest against violations of their rights. At the same time, he did not single out their rights, but rather advocated for their equal treatment and dignity, in opposition to the prevailing attitude of contempt.

The primary objective of the aforementioned philosophy is to transform enemies into allies through an appeal to conscience, which Gandhi believed would be much more effective than threats or physical violence. According to this theory, violence only leads to more violence, and satyagraha will break the spiral of evil and allow yesterday's enemies to become today's allies. Only those with a strong spirit are capable of these actions and they cannot be interpreted as weakness. An important component of satyagraha is the vow. Giving a vow, according to Gandhi, is a sign of strength, not weakness. Gandhi believed that a vow was a demonstration of strength, not weakness. He defined a vow as "the commitment to do what needs to be done, no matter the cost." He argued that saying one would do "as much as possible" indicates a lack of conviction and shows a willingness to give in to temptation. Gandhi believed that it was important to hold onto the truth with unwavering resolve.

What Peace means to me

Peace is a feeling of comfort, security, and serenity that is deeply personal and meaningful to me. It is a warm hug from a loved one, a quiet moment in nature, or a sense of calm in the midst of chaos. When I think of peace, I am transported to a place where I can let go of my worries and simply be in the present moment. For me, peace is not just an absence of conflict or violence, but it is a state of being where I am able to connect with myself, others, and the world around me in a harmonious and compassionate way. It is a sense of belonging and understanding that brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart.

In a world that is often filled with division and turmoil, I hold on to the belief that peace is possible and that it starts with each and every one of us. Whether it be through acts of kindness, forgiveness, or understanding, I believe that it is our collective responsibility to create a more peaceful world for future generations. Peace is more than just a word for me, it is a feeling that fills me with hope and joy, and it is what drives me to be a better person each and every day.