Hiroshima City to place Gandhi bust donated by Indian government near Peace Memorial Park
May 11, 2023
by Kaori Ota, Staff Writer
On May 10, the Hiroshima City government announced it would receive a donation of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi from the Indian government, which would participate in the expanded summit of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) to be held in the city on May 19. It will be placed near Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward. An unveiling ceremony with Indian government officials is planned.
Gandhi is known as the “Father of Indian Independence” for his non-violence and non-conformity, which led to India’s independence from British rule. According to the city government, Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George offered to donate the bust in April, and the city decided to receive it because Gandhi’s ideals and activities were consistent with the city’s position of promoting peace. The Indian side wanted to place it in Peace Memorial Park, but the new placement was not permitted, so they decided on a greenbelt on the east bank of the Motoyasu River.
The bust is about 2.2 meters high, 1.8 meters wide, and 1.2 meters deep. The placement work begins on May 11 and is scheduled to be finished by May 18. The Indian government has also donated a similar bust to the United Nations and will again cover all costs. Staff at the Hiroshima City’s Internationalization Promotion Division say, “Gandhi is a pioneer in the philosophy and practice of non-violence. We look forward to the development of friendship and exchange with India.
(Originally published on May 11, 2023)
On May 10, the Hiroshima City government announced it would receive a donation of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi from the Indian government, which would participate in the expanded summit of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) to be held in the city on May 19. It will be placed near Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward. An unveiling ceremony with Indian government officials is planned.
Gandhi is known as the “Father of Indian Independence” for his non-violence and non-conformity, which led to India’s independence from British rule. According to the city government, Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George offered to donate the bust in April, and the city decided to receive it because Gandhi’s ideals and activities were consistent with the city’s position of promoting peace. The Indian side wanted to place it in Peace Memorial Park, but the new placement was not permitted, so they decided on a greenbelt on the east bank of the Motoyasu River.
The bust is about 2.2 meters high, 1.8 meters wide, and 1.2 meters deep. The placement work begins on May 11 and is scheduled to be finished by May 18. The Indian government has also donated a similar bust to the United Nations and will again cover all costs. Staff at the Hiroshima City’s Internationalization Promotion Division say, “Gandhi is a pioneer in the philosophy and practice of non-violence. We look forward to the development of friendship and exchange with India.
(Originally published on May 11, 2023)
