Diversity is one of India's most outstanding features. It is home to a mosaic of peoples from different cultures, ethnic groups, religions and languages.
In India and all countries, individuals are born free and equal. People deserve respect, dignity and security regardless of their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. The United Nations (UN) defends those rights everywhere - north, south, east and west. Development models must reach all groups. Inclusive growth brings shared prosperity. India has already lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and it can bring the benefits of inclusive growth to millions more.
Yesterday, I visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. I was deeply moved by how they are conserving Gandhi's letters and other precious artefacts. And I reflected on our collective responsibility to conserve the spirit of Gandhi's teachings. He confronted many forms of injustice, including against people who were then called "untouchables". His struggle led to the historic resolution banning discrimination based on caste. Today, India has laws that not only enshrine equality, but also take positive steps to address past discrimination. But millions of Dalits, tribals and others still face discrimination, especially the women. In too many communities, religious minorities also suffer. We must continue Gandhi's battle for equality.
Since, as a young diplomat, I visited Raj Ghat many times, whenever VIPs came, I escorted. As Secretary-General and as foreign minister, I paid my own tribute. If politicians, businessmen or scientists, or whatever professions they do, they practise what he said, I think this world will be most harmonious, and there will be no conflict, no corruption.
I just admire, at that time already, he taught us to keep all this. When I went to the Ashram yesterday, again, I was humbled and inspired. Yesterday, in my speech, I told world leaders: "Let his teachings inspire all of us."
The world faces a global pandemic of violence against women. India has a special challenge. The UN will do everything possible to support government efforts to prevent this violence, protect women and punish the perpetrators. I started a global campaign called the "HeforShe" campaign to change mindsets and mobilise men for gender equality. I thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi for his support.
No country can advance as long as its women are held back. I have been saying that, while in our world we use lot of different resources, technologies, the least-utilised resource in our human lives is women. More than half the world's population are women. Then it is only natural that if we cannot give more, then at least they should be given equal treatment, equal status. That is why, as Secretary-General, I have been promoting gender equality and empowerment. I am proud to tell you the UN has changed a lot since I became Secretary-General. Lakshmi Puri is now deputy head of UN-Women [United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women]. It was I who established UN-Women. There were some fractured departments, offices, small or big. I just combined all of them together to establish one big huge department: UN-Women. I applaud the many civil society groups across India that work to empower women and minority groups. Two years ago, Justice J S Verma delivered valuable recommendations to end violence against women in India. I count on the government to act on them.
India has long displayed a commitment to gender equality. The world can thank a daughter of India, Hansa Mehta, for replacing the phrase in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It said: "All men are born free and equal." Now, it is changed: "All human beings are born free and equal". How appropriate, how fitting it is.
The third area where I see potential in India is sustainable development. When it comes to sustainable development and climate change, I become much more energised than when talking about security issues, because I see much more possibility and hope in the UN's contribution to sustainable development.
The world is now shaping a new agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals. I count on India to engage fully in this process. I welcome "Make in India" - I thought it was "Made in India", now it is "Make in India". It is a very good policy of Prime Minister Modi - this national programme to turn this country into a manufacturing hub of the world. I saw the possibilities of this yesterday in Gujarat at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit meeting. It was really vibrating. I think the whole world is now vibrating with this dynamism and vibration.
But, I would add two words to "Make in India" - "Make it Green in India". What about it? "Make it Green in India".
By respecting the environment, India can grow economically while enjoying greater human progress overall.
Climate action can power growth, reduce poverty, improve health and increase energy security. Renewable energy offers huge business opportunities. Energy efficiency reduces emissions and pollution, while increasing productivity.
This year, the world must seize the chance to achieve a meaningful global agreement at the Paris climate conference. That agreement can trigger large investment flows, spark innovation and push low-carbon technologies into global markets. India can be a major part of this new flow of goods and resources.
India has shown remarkable global leadership from Gandhi's time until today. I applaud India for its commitment to the UN. India is ranked at the top of our troop-contributing countries, our corporate Global Compact members, our contributors to the UN Democracy Fund and many other UN initiatives.
The challenges here mirror our global challenges: poverty, gender inequality, discrimination, environmental degradation, extremism and other security threats. The UN is mobilising countries to rise to these challenges in this, our seventieth anniversary year. 2015 is a time for global action. If we rise to the moment, we can address suffering that has engulfed our planet for too long.
Edited excerpts from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's address to the Indian Council of World Affairs, January12, 2015 in New Delhi
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper
