Sushma unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Pietermaritzburg
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today reached the Pieter-maritz-burg station where 125 years ago Mahatma Gandhi decided to fight against injustice and colonialism.
The journey that acted as a catalyst for Mahatma Gandhi to practise satyagraha! A symbolic train ride was undertaken by EAM and 300 other dignitaries from Pentrich station to Pieter-maritz-burg station in South Africa. The event was organized to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s eviction from the train for being a non-European on June 7, 1893.
Train coaches and engine were draped with Khadi.
She also inaugurated the 2-sided bust of MK Gandhi, called the “Birth of Satyagraha”. It acts as a constant reminder, to all of mankind, of the momentous moral journey that young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi undertook.
A modern addition to the Pieter-maritz-burg station which has remained untouched for the last 125 years, the minister also inaugurated “The Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum” consisting of interactive screens, videos, audio commentary on infamous incident.
To mark the occasion, EAM released a coffee table book, titled “The Birth of Satyagraha.
Further to mark 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, EAM and Deputy Foreign Minister of South Africa jointly released postal stamps on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Oliver Tambo.
The event – the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – would bind South Africa and India’ which shared the legacy of Gandhi.
Later, she will also attend a Youth Summit where African and Indian youths will speak on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace and harmony.
Addressing the occasion, Sushma Swaraj said that both the countries should be conscious that two of the greatest movements on this planet started at Pieter-maritz-burg Station, which freed both the individuals & nations of injustice & subjugation.
