Let us not forget Gandhi's legacy
Two years have been marked to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary and there have been many celebrations all around the world. In the UK, there has been either statue built, or plans are well on the way. In Dudley, at the renowned Balaji Temple, an entire Gandhi Peace Centre has been built with digital technology used to help educate the new generation about the great man’s philosophy.
Manchester is the latest city to unveil a statue of Gandhi. Leicester, Birmingham and Cardiff have had one for a long while. London too followed.
The 9-foot-high statue for Manchester seeks to characterize the city’s resilience in the aftermath of the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena on May 2017 which claimed 23 lives.
The bronze sculpture by Indian artist Ram V. Sutar will be installed outside Manchester Cathedral.
We are inspired by the people of Manchester for their strength, decency and community in the face of this unparalleled tragedy," said Manthan Taswala, spokesperson for SRMD UK, which believes in spreading Gandhi's teachings.
"The statue of Gandhi will celebrate the universal power of his message. A statue in Manchester will ensure that the heart of our politics and democracy can all be blessed with his ethos," Taswala added.
The charitable organisation is being backed in its project by Manchester Cathedral, Manchester City Council and the High Commission of India and the costs are to be covered by the Indian-origin Kamani family in memory of their late scion Bhanji Khanji Kamani.
As part of the Indian independence movement leader's 150th birth anniversary celebrations, SRMD UK has now planned a public event on November 25 to unveil the latest addition to these statues at a gathering in Manchester of senior figures from the Indian diaspora and government.