Hundred years after Mahatma Gandhi introduced Satyagraha -- the non-violent force of truth -- as a means of unshackling the world of miseries and bondage, leaders from across the world will converge in New Delhi to celebrate the occasion next week.
Leaders and freedom fighters from 83 countries will assemble at a conference to share their views on the relevance of Gandhi's ideology and values in the present world ridden with violence and conflicts.
The two-day conference -- Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century -- is being organised by the Congress party to celebrate the centenary of one of the greatest movements of the world.
The charisma of the apostle of peace will be recalled and re-emphasised at the conference to be inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on January 29, senior Congress leader and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told PTI in New Delhi on Friday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the conference.
The aim of organising the conference is to acknowledge the historical contribution made by Gandhi and the values espoused by him, said Sharma, who heads the organising committee.
Significantly, the centenary celebrations will be attended by some senior leaders from Pakistan, including chief of Awami National Party Asfandyar Khan and Muttahida Quami Movement leader Farooq Sattar.
Among the prominent world leaders attending the conference are Nobel Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mohammed Yunus.
Prime ministers or senior ministers from several countries, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, Sweden, South Africa and Slovenia will also be attending the conference.
"The event will provide an occasion to renew the commitment of our people to the noble mission of the Father of the Nation of building a world that is in peace and harmony with itself," Sharma said.
"The need for peace and non-violence is very dearly felt in today's world, which is seeing violence through terrorism and conflicts," he said adding, the conference is aimed at providing a "second awakening".
The conference will see deliberations on issues like conflict resolution and peace-building, towards a nuclear weapons free and non-violent world order and dialogue among peoples and cultures.
The event will conclude with a Satyagraha centenary declaration.
An exhibition, symbolising the life of Mahatma Gandhi and the progress of Satyagraha, will also be held.
