New home for Gandhi statue

A number of senior citizens, mostly from the Gujarati community, who were involved with the Mahatma Freedom Movement in the 1930s and 1940s were present on the occasion, when Chotubhai Sima spoke of the sacrifices of the Father of the Nation and the appropriateness of the statue at the foyer of the Centre.

“Mahatma Gandhi continues to inspire us with his teachings and examples that he set for himself during his life. This statue will remind us of the great leader,” he said.

The Global Indian Foundation New Zealand, a branch of the parent body based in Singapore donated the 50-kilogramme brass statue to the Centre.

The editor of this newspaper, who is also the Chairman of the Foundation, said that the Auckland Indian Association (AIA), which owns the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, was the right body to receive the statue.

AIA President Harshad Patel, Secretary Dr Lingappa Kalburgi, Public Relations Officer Dhiru Patel and other officials were present at the function.

Members of Parliament and a number of other dignitaries attended an entertainment programme staged by children as a part of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. The programme also included inauguration of the Tagore Library, comprising books and magazines of educational and informative value.

The Foundation donated more than 100 books to the library.