Sonia Gandhi in New York on IDNV to address UNGA

New York, Oct 1 (PTI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi arrived here to address the UN General Assembly in which she is expected to give a message of non-violence, peace and brotherhood in a conflict-ridden world.
The UPA chairperson, who is accompanied by her son and newly appointed Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, will address the world body tomorrow morning when it
celebrates the International Day of Non-Violence as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.
She touched down in the city last night. Dozens of functions are scheduled across the world to commemorate the Day and highlight the message of satygraha by the Mahatma.


In a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of brotherhood and peace, the United Nations' General Assembly had in June declared the Father of the Nation's birth anniversary as the International Day of Non-Violence and urged member states to observe it each year in appropriate manner.


Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting organised by the Indian National Overseas Congress this evening, which is expected to be attended by some 2,000 people.

And at home her DMK allies of ruling UPA chief Kaurnanidhi starts state wide day long fast a mere coincident or election round the corner.
In the national capital, Prime Minister will flag off a rally at AICC headquarters that will go up to the Rajghat, the samadhi of the Father of the Nation.
The rally will comprise senior Congress leaders, ministers, MPs and party workers.
10,000 people are expected to participate in the rally.Commemorative stamps will also be brought out by the government on the occasion.


Oct 1 .A day after the Supreme Court stayed the Tamil Nadu bandh called by the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance for today, DPA leaders led by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi began a state-wide day long fast to press demanding speedy immplementation of the Sethusamudram project.

The chief minister had clarified yesterday that the fast was not against the apex court ruling.


While Karunanidhi and DPA leaders are observing the fast in front of the Government Guest House here, workers of the alliance are observing it in front of all district and taluk headquarters in the state.


Alliance leaders, including PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, TNCC state president M Krishnasamy, CPI(M) leader N Vardarajan, CPI national secretary D Raja, Dravida Kazhagam leader K Veeramani, Dalit Panthers of India founder Tol Tirumavalavan, besides Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu and Minister of State for Statistics, G K Vasan are participating in the fast.


Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP and his son, the local administration minister M K Stalin, besides electricity minister Arcot Veerasamy and finance minister K Anbazhagan also joined them in the fast. PTI