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Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi said violence and retaliation are deterrent to peace and progress of the society.

He also said any civilized society cannot see the phases of development through violence.

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Speaking at a function of the commemoration of the United Nations International day of Peace and Non-violence in Guwahati on Thursday, Prof Mukhi observed that non-violence involves actively peaceful behaviour in the midst of conflict.

He said it is an example of consideration to those around us and breaking the destructive cycle of retaliation.

He also said non-violence means awareness of the own inner violence, and eliminating its negative effects upon our own intentions.

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Applying the principles of non-violence can reduce conflict, anger and violence on personal, local and at every levels.

He referred to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who said non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.

Saying it is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man, Prof Mukhi asserted at any cost a civilized human society must eschew violence and give a chance to non-violence and peace.

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

On June 15, 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to observe October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate October 2 in ‘an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness’.

The Governor also said non-violence is both a principle and a practice.

The principle of non-violence affirms the active use of non-coercive and non-aggressive means to create a more peaceful context.

It is based on the assumption that justice will eventually prevail, that choices should be made from a place of love rather than hate, that the hurtful action, not the person, should be subdued.

Governor Prof Mukhi also hailed the role of the organizers Universal Peace Foundation and International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace for the development of peace and overcoming all other major challenges facing humanity over many years now.

He also assured them of all my help and solidarity from the government of Assam and the people to aid their noble work.

Regional Group Chair of UPF-Asia Pacific Dr Chung Sik Yong, chairman of IAPP-India Bhubaneswar Kalita, chancellor of Royal Global University A K Pansari, sub-regional director of UPF-South Asia Santosh Paudel, secretary general of UPF-India Krishna Adhikari along with a host of other dignitaries were present in the function.