Remembering a spirit of unity, understanding and brotherhood.

• Position: A Look Back - 40 Years Ago; United Nations reaction to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination

--A Look Back--40 Years Ago--

Remembering a spirit of unity, understanding and brotherhood

On 30 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi, India's great spiritual and humanitarian leader, fell victim to the bullets of an assassin. Although this man held no official position in a Government, he symbolized a universal spirit of peace and brotherhood without distinction as to race or nation, and after his death the United Nations rendered to him a unique homage. Ambassadors, Secretariat officials and delegates to United Nations bodies in session at the time joined in unanimous and heartfelt grief.

The United Nations flag at Headquarters was lowered to half-mast; flags of Member States were put away for the day.

Mourning the loss of one whose ideals exemplified the highest principles of the United Nations, Acting United Nations Secretary-General Byron Price cabled to Premier Jawaharlal Nehru of India deepest sympathy on behalf of the Organization. In Oslo, Secretary-General Trygve Lie expressed his shock.

The Security Council suspended its consideration of the Kashmir dispute and devoted its entire meeting that day to expressions of grief and tribute.

Council President Fernand van Langenhove (Belgium) said Gandhi incarnated the spirit of independence of his people, the idea of non-violence which was the very principle that inspired the United Nations, and the spirit of unity, undertanding and brotherhood. "Obscurely", he said, "we felt that in our strivings towards peace and understanding...