India deposited its Instrument of Ratification to the Paris Agreement under the convention on Climate Change on October 2nd, coinciding with the International Day of Non Violence. The day also commemorated the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who epitomized a lifestyle with the smallest carbon footprint. With this India became the 62nd country to ratify the Agreement taking the cumulative emission of the countries that have ratified the Agreement so far to 51.89%. This significant contribution towards the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement underlines Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to global cause of environmental protection and climate justice and reaffirms India’s responsive leadership in addressing the impact of climate change.
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organized a Special event to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October 2016, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The event is a reminder to Mahatma Gandhi’s unequivocal message to uphold values of peace, tolerance and understanding. 2 October was marked as the International Day of Non-Violence by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007.
Cosponsored by 140 countries the resolution established the commemoration of the International Day as an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”. This year’s celebrations will be held at the ECOSOC Chamber of the United Nations on Sunday 2 October 2016 from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. The President of General Assembly H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, Deputy Secretary General H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Finance Minister of Bangladesh H.E. Mr. Abul Maal A. Muhith, and Prof. Barry L. Gan, Director of Center for Non-Violence, St. Bonaventure University, New York will address the gathering. The opening segment will be followed by a recital of songs emphasizing virtues of Peace and Non-Violence by Ms. Sudha Raghunathan a renowned Indian Classical singer in the Carnatic Music tradition.
As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s focus on preserving the environment, India will submit its certification of Instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on 2 October 2016 to the United Nations. India had last year the same day, announced it climate action plan and declared its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution.
This October also marks the fiftieth anniversary of performance of Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi, India’s music legend and most celebrated singer in the Carnatic Music tradition at the United Nations on the eve of UN Day on 23 October 1966. The UN Postal Administration (UNPA) will release a postage stamp commemorating the birth anniversary and fiftieth anniversary of performance by Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi at the United Nations on 2 October 2016. Assistant Secretary General, Department of Management will release the stamp on behalf of UNPA. The stamps will be available for purchase at the UNPA website http://unstamps.org . Dignitaries, diplomats and officials from the United Nations and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations, civil society, academia, media and invited guests will attend the Event.