15 August 2020 marks the 74th anniversary of India's independence from British colonial rule.  It is not only a day of national pride and honour, but a day of giving salutations to our freedom fighters, who gave their all for their country. However, it is of great significance, that when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the 1st PM of independent India, was hoisting the tri-colour from the ramparts of the Red Fort, in New Delhi, and giving his famous, 'Tryst with Destiny' speech, the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was fasting in Calcutta, to end the blood-bath and restore communal harmony between the Hindus & Muslims – aftermath of the Partition of India.  Saddened by all the violence, Gandhi gave his – now famous one-line quote - to a foreign correspondent, who asked him for his message to the world, on 15 August 1947: 

“My Life is My Message”

So, on this propitious day, we request each one of you, dear Signatories, to follow the footsteps of the apostle of nonviolence, by practicing what we preach, and promoting his legacy of Nonviolent Conflict Resolution, by asking at least 10 of your family & friends to sign Shanti Sahyog #ChooseNonviolentDefence petition and follow our Call for Action #'s as small but sure steps towards a World Beyond War.