Mandela statue unveiled at UN headquarters
United Nations, Sep 24 : A statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled at the UN headquarters on Monday to honour the South African President's 100th birth anniversary.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the ceremony that Mandela "embodied the highest values of the United Nations -- peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity", Xinhua news agency reported.
His fight against apartheid "marks a landmark in human rights and freedom", he added, thanking the South African government for donating the statue.
A high-level meeting, the Mandala Peace Summit, was scheduled for Monday at the UN for world leaders to renew their commitment to global peace, conflict prevention, peace building, promotion and protection of human rights and long-term development initiatives.
The UN member states decided in December 2017 to hold the meeting to mark the 100th anniversary of Mandela's birth.
Mandela was born in July 1918 and died five years ago due to respiratory infection. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his role in the fight against apartheid and became the first black President of South Africa.
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Kerala govt sets up control rooms for assistance to Keralites in states bordering Pakistan
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala government on Friday said that it has opened control rooms at the Secretariat and NORKA department here to provide assistance and information to Keralites and students from the southern state living in the areas bordering Pakistan.
The control rooms were opened on the directions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in view of the tense situation prevailing in the border states, a statement issued by his office said.
It also said that "there is no need to be worried" at the moment.
The government asked the Keralites in the state bordering Pakistan to follow the instructions given by the authorities and stay safe.
"If you need assistance, you can contact the control room number." it added.
The control room at the Secretariat can be reached through -- 0471-2517500/2517600, 0471-2322600 (fax) and cdmdkerala@kerala.gov.in., the statement said.
The Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) global contact center can be reached at 18004253939 (toll free number) and 00918802012345 (missed call from abroad), it said.
Pakistan's armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border on the intervening night of May 8-9, which were "effectively repulsed", the Indian Army said on Friday.
Pakistani troops also resorted to "numerous ceasefire violations" along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said.
The developments followed the precise missile strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan early Wednesday under Operation Sindoor, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
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