Mahatma Gandhi’s train ejection commemorated in South Africa
Mahatma Gandhi's 21 years in South Africa shaped his philosophy, particularly as it related to peace and non-violence, Gengan said, adding that the event was celebrated at the station where the incident took place.
JOHANNESBURG: To commemorate the ouster of Mahatma Gandhi from the train in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1893, various speakers from across the world discussed the relevance of the messages of the Father of the Nation of India to the world today.
The Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Memorial Committee decided a few years ago that the story of June 7, 1893 and its impact on young Gandhi would be told every year on its anniversary, said committee chairman David Gengan.
The seed of 'Satyagraha' (non-violent resistance) was planted here on the night of June 7, 1893, at Pietermaritzburg, he said.
Gandhi's 21 years in South Africa shaped his philosophy, particularly as it pertains to peace and non-violence, Gengan said, explaining that the event was celebrated at the station where the incident took place, a trend they had been doing since last year. were unable to. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gandhi's granddaughter Ila Gandhi, 80, who heads the Gandhi Development Trust, which oversees the Phoenix settlement, which she started during her tenure in Durban, said that during her life, Gandhi discovered many truths. of.
“I believe these truths are very relevant to us today as we face the challenge of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As we struggle with the realities of COVID-19, we are becoming aware of the need to change our perception and behavior to create a new normal," she said.
Ila said Gandhi's seven remarks have become even more important in this context.
Sailo Hutang, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said that Gandhi's observations were something that could be achieved by all human beings.
Hutang said, "When we try our best to be better people, we create a world that (Mandela and Gandhi) dreamed of - a world that cares for the downtrodden, the forgotten, the ones who feel that they are outcasts."
JV Raoji of the Mahatma Gandhi Remembrance Organization in Johannesburg, which has revived the Tolstoy Farm commune started by Gandhi after several decades in the city, called on similar organizations all over the world to form a federation.
Chicago doctor Shriram Sonty agreed with this view.
Sonti said, "We should create a global federation of all Gandhian networks where we can come together and make a statement and mass protest across the world, like they did for Black Lives Matter."
On the issue of self-reliance and self-reliance, supported by Gandhi at the time of the founding of the Phoenix Settlement, Ila said it is indeed relevant today.
"Materialism is the cause of every issue that is happening. Wars are caused by resources. As long as wealth and money become the center of our lives, we will not be able to change.
“The message of the Phoenix settlement is that there are other things far more important than money, and that is what we need to look at and grow. It is very relevant today, more than ever,” Ila said.
Professor Prasad Golanpalli of Gandhi King Foundation in Hyderabad said that there should be a deep understanding of Gandhi which should be passed on to the younger generation, especially in colleges and universities.
On that fateful night, as Gandhi was traveling from Durban to Pretoria, a white man objected to his presence in a first-class carriage, and he was ordered to move to a third-class compartment.
Gandhi had a valid first class ticket and refused to obey orders after which he was thrown out of the train at Pietermaritzburg station. In the night he stayed at the station.
The incident of June 7, 1893 greatly influenced Gandhi's decision to fight racial discrimination in South Africa and later the freedom struggle in India.