United Nations Day was celebrated here with songs, dance and music by students from more than 20 countries. The cultural evening also heard Sarvodaya and Gandhian leaders talk on the impact of Indian Thought on world friendship.

Students from Nagaland presented a Bhangra, while foreign students danced on Sufi music strains and essayed difficult poses of classical Kathak dance.

The event was organised Thursday night at the Central Hindi Institute (CHI) here by the Mitr Society. Its president Mahesh Dhakar told "We celebrate this day each year to bring people together and stress the role of the UN in world peace and in bridging the cultural and communication gaps."

Chandra Kant Tripathi, registrar of the CHI said,"Our students, who come to learn Hindi from all over the world, become India's cultural brand ambassadors and spread the message of peace and friendship."