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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Two held in connection with blast at BJP leader's Jalandhar home; ISI, Bishnoi involved: Police
Chandigarh (PTI): Two persons have been arrested in connection with a blast at Punjab BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's residence in Jalandhar, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.
He further said the e-rickshaw used in the crime has also been recovered.
Addressing the media here, Special Director General of Police (law and order) Arpit Shukla said the crime was committed to disturb communal harmony.
"It was a major conspiracy of Pakistan's ISI. Zeeshan Akhtar, who is an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and (Pakistani gangster) Shahzad Bhatti, they had hatched a conspiracy," said Shukla.
He further said an investigation into the possible links of the Babbar Khalsa International is also underway, adding that Punjab Police was also in touch with the central agencies.
A blast at Kalia's residence in Jalandhar early Tuesday damaged an aluminum partition, shattered glass windows of his home, his SUV and a motorcycle in the courtyard. No one was hurt, police said.
Kalia, a former Cabinet minister and former president of Punjab BJP, was at home when the explosion took place. He is also a member of the BJP's national executive.
There have been many incidents of explosions, targeting police posts in Amritsar and Gurdaspur in the past four to five months but this is the first such incident when the house of a prominent politician was targeted. Last month, a blast occurred outside a temple in Amritsar.
