On a day overladen with thick rainy clouds over London, Tavistock Square saw a sombre gathering of enthusiastic Indians. They were commemorating the “Gandhi Nirvaan divas” (Martyr’s Day) in fond memory of Mahatma Gandhi.
To grace the occasion were present The High Commissioner of India, Ruchi Ghanashyam; Deputy High Commissioner of India, Charanjeet Singh; Member of Parliament, Virendra Sharma MP; Deputy Mayor of Camden, Sabrina Francis; Chairman, India League, CB Patel; Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Nanda Kumara Maur.
While paying glorious tributes to the father of nation, the speakers took opportunity to reflect on Mahatma’s life and its relevance today.
The High Commissioner reflected on the moment, when Gandhiji was thrown out and left alone at the Pietermaritzburg Railway Station in Pretoria. She highlighted how key political movement leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. Barack Obama is the new age leader to acknowledge his reverence for the Mahatma.
CB Patel of India League, spoke passionately about Mahatma’s contribution to inspiring changes across the world. Mr. Patel pointed out that even today, Mahatma’s philosophies are relevant and can provide solutions to our contemporary struggles like climate change, terrorism, ecological and social injustices.
London, always has been the centre of world’s attention, with hundreds of visitors passing Tavistock Square each day. According to Mr. Patel, this statue of “Mahatma in Meditation” continues to emit message of peace and non-violence to all, around the world.
The occasion resonated with Bapu’s favourite bhajans like ‘Vaiṣṇava jana to tene kahiye’ and Raghupati Rāghav Rājārām’. The students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London imbued their melodious voice to those bhajans.
While the British weather made its presence, the cold windy drizzle shivering the city, it brought our thoughts closer to realisation, sacrifices Mahatma Gandhi made, to give mantra of achieving freedom without violence.
