Events | South Africa

Gandhis eviction 125 yrs ago: South Africa station, train to wear khadi look

New Delhi, May 12, 2018

(PTI) Khadi, hand-spun fabric synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi, will be used for draping train compartments at Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa where he was thrown off a train for refusing to give up his seat in the first class, "whites-only" compartment, 125 years ago in 1893.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has got orders of 400 metres of khadi cloth in 40-50 metres of length with width of 36 inches, to be used for draping train compartments, some parts of the platform and the main stage, from the High Commission of India, Pretoria in association with the Consulate General of India, Durban. A function commemorating 125th anniversary of the eviction of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on June 7, 1893, from the “whites-only" compartment is also being planned, according to KVIC. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be witnessing the event there which is also a significant one in South African history, being the birth centenary of Nelson Mandela alias Madiba, KVIC said. Khadi was taken up as a tool in the freedom struggle by Mahatma Gandhi against the British.

Learners excel in Mahatma Gandhi Essay Competition hosted by Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Memorial Committee (PGMC).
November 9, 2017 – Public Eye

The top ten learners for 2017 were:
Lindelwa Gasela – Silver Heights Secondary
Mpulo Zanele – Smero Secondary
Lindelwa Majola – Silver Heights Secondary
Dayita Ramraj – Raisethorpe Secondary
Revantika Ramnaraj – Raisethorpe Secondary
Harchad Hemchand – Raisethrope Secondary
Yevita Reddy – Heather Secondary
Kholeka Magoso – Richmond Combined School
Bekhita Maharaj – Silver Heights Secondary
Ayabonga Gwayi – Silver Heights Secondary

Essay competition to commemorate Gandhi’s legacy

Phoenix Sun: 26 Apr 2018

The competition is entitled, ‘What was the turning point moment that changed your life?’

To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the eviction of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on June 7, 1893, from a first class train compartment at the Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, the High Commission of India, Pretoria, in association with the Consulate General of India, Durban, is holding an essay competition.

The competition is entitled, ‘What was the turning point moment that changed your life?’The competition is open to grade 10 to grade 12 South African pupils. The competition will be open from April 15 to May 15, 2018.The top three winners of the essay competition will be given attractive prizes on June 7, 2018, at a grand event to be held at the PMB station.

Sushma Swaraj to join 125th anniversary commemoration Mahatma Gandhi's eviction from train

THE TIMES OF INDIA JOHANNESBURG: May 17, 2018, 14:17

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will next month lead in commemorating the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's eviction from a train's "whites-only" compartment, which inspired him to launch the Satyagraha movement against the British in South Africa and in India.

On the night of June 7, 1893, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a young lawyer, was thrown off the train's first class compartment at Pietermaritzburg station for refusing to give up his seat.

The two-day commemoration will commence with a dinner and address by Swaraj and other dignitaries to about 500 guests on June 6, Indian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ruchira Kamboj, said.

The following day about 300 dignitaries, including leading South African politicians, will join Swaraj in asymbolic train ride from Pentrich station to Pietermaritzburg station.

For the event, train coaches and engine will be draped with khadi, a hand-woven fabric synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi, she said.Making an announcement about the event in Pietermaritzburg yesterday, Kamboj said khadi, which became the symbol of resistance by Gandhi against the British rule, would be specially imported from India for the occasion. The event - the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - would bind South Africa and India' which shared the legacy of Gandhi.

"125 years ago Mahatma Gandhi' who was as much South African as he was Indian, was removed from a first-class rail compartment and from there began a new journey that was to transform India and indeed the entire world," Kamboj said, reminding the influence Gandhi had on other great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.

She said the 125th commemoration was a precursor to Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, for which year-long celebrations were being planned in India from October 2.

She also said the event would be broadcast live in both India and South Africa by countries national public broadcasters, the Doordarshan and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Mahatma Gandhi’s removal from a ‘White’s Only’ train to be re-enacted in KZN

16 MAY 2018 - 17:38 SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER: BUSINESS DAY

Hundreds of metres of khadi — hand-woven fabric synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi — will adorn the compartments and engine of a replica train in commemoration of the peace icon’s expulsion from a "White’s Only" compartment in Pietermaritzburg, 125 years ago.

Indian high commissioner Ruchira Kamboj announced in Durban on Wednesday that the historic event would be commemorated with an elaborate two-day celebration on June 6 and 7, parts of which televised live in both India and SA by national broadcasters Doordarshan and the SABC.

Kamboj said khadi‚ which became Gandhi’s symbol of resistance against colonial rule and a fashion symbol in India‚ would be imported from India for event.

"One hundred and twenty five years ago, Mahatma Gandhi‚ who was [as] much South African as he was Indian, was removed from a first-class rail compartment and from there began a new journey that was to transform India and, indeed, the entire world.

"He influenced many great personalities ... Nelson Mandela‚ Dr Martin Luther King Jr and so many others."

Kamboj said the event — the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — would bind SA and India‚ which both share "an incredible legacy". "In the meantime, all eyes are turned to SA‚ because this is the precursor to the 150th celebration," she added, referring to India marking the 150th anniversary of Gandhi’s birth with year-long celebrations‚ starting on October 2.

India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will kick off the local celebrations on June 6 with a dinner and address for about 500 guests. The next day, about 300 dignitaries‚ including Indian and South African politicians‚ are expected to travel on a train‚ similar to the one Gandhi was thrown off‚ from Pentrich Station to Pietermaritzburg station.

"Once the train arrives in Pietermaritzburg there is going to be an enactment of that famous incident."

A two-sided bust of Gandhi will also be unveiled on the station platform. "One side will be Mahatma Gandhi the lawyer in western attire as he came to SA. The other side will be Mahatma Gandhi in his Indian dress as he left SA after 21 years, returning to transform India‚" Kamboj said.

An interactive digital museum — sponsored by the Indian government — will also be launched at the station on the day.

125 years later - Gandhi's historic ejection from train to be remembered

16 May 2018 - 16:12BY SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER : THE TIMES LIVE

Hundreds of metres of khadi - the hand-woven fabric synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi - will adorn the compartments and engine of a replica train in the commemoration of the peace icon’s expulsion from a "whites only" compartment in Pietermaritzburg 125 years ago.

Indian high commissioner Ruchira Kamboj announced in Durban on Wednesday that the historic incident would be commemorated with an elaborate two-day celebration on June 6 and 7 - parts of which would be televised live in both countries by national broadcasters Doordarshan and the SABC.

Kamboj said that khadi‚ which became Gandhi’s symbol of resistance against colonial rule and a fashion symbol in India‚ would be imported from India for event.

“125 years ago Mahatma Gandhi‚ who was as much South African as he was Indian, was removed from a first-class rail compartment and from there began a new journey that was to transform India and indeed the entire world."

Kamboj praised Ghandi's influence on Nelson Mandela, Dr Martin Luther King Jr "and so many others".

Kamboj said the event - the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - would bind South Africa and India‚ which both share “an incredible legacy”.

She said the 125th commemoration was a precursor to India marking Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary with year-long celebrations‚ starting on October 2.

“In the meantime all eyes are turned to South Africa‚ because this is the precursor to the 150th celebration‚” she added.

India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will kick off the celebrations on June 6 with a dinner and address of about 500 guests. The next day about 300 dignitaries‚ including Indian and South African politicians‚ are expected to travel on a train‚ similar to the one Gandhi was thrown off‚ from Pentrich Station to Pietermaritzburg station.

“Once the train arrives in Pietermaritzburg there is going to be an enactment of that famous incident.”

A two-sided bust of Gandhi will also be unveiled on the station platform.

“One side will be Mahatma Gandhi the lawyer in western attire as he came to South Africa. The other side will be Mahatma Gandhi in his Indian dress as he left South Africa after 21 years returning to transform India‚” Kamboj revealed.

An interactive digital museum - sponsored by the Indian government - will also be launched at the station on the day.

21 days and counting...Gandhi 2018 Symposium Global Commemoration

On a chilly winter’s night, Wed 7 June 1893, 125 years ago, Gandhi was unceremoniously removed from his paid 1st Class seat on a train bound for Pretoria and "deposited" on Pietermaritzburg Station. This was the platform (pun intended) for the Night that made history and changed the world forever.

The event — the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — binds SA and India in that they both share "an incredible legacy". To commemorate this historic occasion, a global 2-day event will be held in Pietermaritzburg (site of happening so many years ago) and honour of the man of the hour – Gandhi. Wed 6 and Thur 7 June 2018

The City of Choice, dressed for the occasion and renamed “City of Lights” for one night only. The majestic Pietermaritzburg City Hall, the magnificent Pietermaritzburg Railway Station and imposing Gandhi statue in Church Street will be wrapped warmly in country colours of both India and South Africa

Gandhi 2018 Symposium Global Commemoration

PROGRAMME

GANDHI 2018 YOUTH SUMMIT: Wed 6 June 2018

Venue: Winston Churchhill Theatre Leinster Rd PMB

Time : 8am - 4:00pm

Keynote Address: Ms Ela Gandhi (Gandhi's Granddaughter)

Dress Code: Business.

Pre-registered Delegates (aged 16 - 35) only

Topics for discussion and resolution

- Can Gandhian Philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa and Sarvodhaya be applied today

- Can Gandhian principles be used to find solutions in recent and current hotspots and relevance of Gandhi worldwide

- What key challenges face the youth today and are Gandhi's leadership lessons the answer

GANDHI 2018 SYMPOSIUM GALA DINNER

Venue: Pietermaritzburg City Hall.

Time: 7pm - midnight

Dress Code: Black Tie

By Indian Government Invitation only.

GANDHI 125 year GLOBAL COMMEMORATION: Thurs 7 June 2018

Venue: Pietermaritzburg Train Station

Time: 10am - 12noon

Pre-registered Delegates only

High ranking dignitaries, officials from Indian government expected at this auspicious occasion, which includes a train trip, re-enactment and filming of the night's events, the launch of a digital Gandhi Museum and the unveiling of a uniquely created bust of the young Gandhi, using actual photographs as reference for a very accurate lifelike sculpture.

Since that very night, 129 statues, have been erected in 118 cities around the world (outside of India).

Lisbon, Genoa, Wolverhampton, Panama City, Bellevue and Johannesburg have two each, The Hague has 3 with Moscow taking the top spot, with four statues.

This is only actual STATUES and does not include columns, pillars, paintings, artworks (all sorts including Sand Art) and murals - found a spectacular be-spectacled Gandhi adorning a wall in the city of Angels.

The scribe of this piece has researched, intricacies of the world of Gandhi statues. The material, size, location, artists name, reason for statue, and names of dignitaries at the unveiling. And simultaneously, recorded details of the mayors of the 118 cities, home to Gandhi.

Click here and see what World Leaders said of Gandhi... www.gandhisouthafrica.co.za and select Gandhi's Leadership Lessons

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