Reflections from Africa 7 --Meeting with Ela Gandhi in Durban
"Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood ever walked upon this earth." This is what Albert Einstein wrote about Gandhiji. And we could learn a great deal about this man today, through some unique meetings and visits.
It was a most memorable day for us in Durban, as we were able to visit the Phoenix Settlement, where Mahatama Gandhi lived a greater portion of his 21 years in South Africa. It is a museum today and that gives us a clear picture of how Mohandas Gandhi became Mahatama Gandhi. It also sheds light into the formative years of the South African Freedom Srtuggle. So much to learn and so much to share.
But the culmination of my visit in South Africa was the meeting with Mrs. Ela Gandhi, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi. She was a member of the South African Parliament for nine years, the first term during the tenure of Nelson Mandela. Today she is in the fore front of so many interfaith movements. Karen and me could learn so much about the history of interfaith relations in South Africa during our parley with Ela, which lasted for about three hours in her residence.
This is where Mahatama Gandhi lived in Durban where he established the Phoenix Settlement in a hundred acre campus. It was later looted and burnt during the struggle and now rebuilt, but only a small campus today.
We are very excited to be guests at the Indian Consulate in the evening for the Republic Day celebrations, as special invitees of Ela Gandhi. Both her daughter Ashish and herself are running several Gandhi Trusts today here in this country, which promote the vision and ideals of a Mahatma, who has no comparison.
Abraham Karickam
"Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood ever walked upon this earth." This is what Albert Einstein wrote about Gandhiji. And we could learn a great deal about this man today, through some unique meetings and visits.
It was a most memorable day for us in Durban, as we were able to visit the Phoenix Settlement, where Mahatama Gandhi lived a greater portion of his 21 years in South Africa. It is a museum today and that gives us a clear picture of how Mohandas Gandhi became Mahatama Gandhi. It also sheds light into the formative years of the South African Freedom Srtuggle. So much to learn and so much to share.
But the culmination of my visit in South Africa was the meeting with Mrs. Ela Gandhi, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi. She was a member of the South African Parliament for nine years, the first term during the tenure of Nelson Mandela. Today she is in the fore front of so many interfaith movements. Karen and me could learn so much about the history of interfaith relations in South Africa during our parley with Ela, which lasted for about three hours in her residence.
This is where Mahatama Gandhi lived in Durban where he established the Phoenix Settlement in a hundred acre campus. It was later looted and burnt during the struggle and now rebuilt, but only a small campus today.
We are very excited to be guests at the Indian Consulate in the evening for the Republic Day celebrations, as special invitees of Ela Gandhi. Both her daughter Ashish and herself are running several Gandhi Trusts today here in this country, which promote the vision and ideals of a Mahatma, who has no comparison.
Abraham Karickam
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