Exhibition focusing Mahatma Gandhi's life

Veena Sikri, the Indian High Commisioner, who presided over the function, said, "I cherish Mahatma Gandi's memory as one of the greatest individuals that history has ever known. He forged the weapon of peaceful, nonviolent resistance based on ahimsa in his battle for truth (satyagraha). Through this he was able to overcome the might of the British Empire and get freedom for the Indian subcontinent. The greatness of Mahatma Gandhi is that his memory is cherished throughout the subcontinent.

This memory is a great link of friendship between Bangladesh and India, as he spent many months in Noakhali. The message that he left behind in Noakhali stands even till today."

"These photographs are rare: they consist of his childhood, his adult life with his family, his stay in South Africa where he fought for injustice and then later as he joined the Freedom Movement come the pictures that show him doing satyagraha and participating in other peace movements in India. There are also photographs with other national leaders like Mohmmed Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose. The exhibition attempts to provide a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary person on the occasion of his 136th birth anniversary, which falls on 2nd October," said Neeta Bhushan of the Information and Cultural Section of the Indian High Commission.

"The exhibition will continue till September 29, and after this the display goes to Noakhali, where Gandhi went in 1946, when he heard of the communal riots and he stayed there for four months, restoring communal harmony in that area. There is a picture of Gandhi wearing a Noakhali hat and spinning a wheel. This picture, in particular, shows the shared history of India and Bangladesh. The purpose of the exhibition is to let the people in Dhaka get a glimpse of Gandhi's life."

Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, Secretary of the Gandhi Ashram Trust that also holds an exhibition alongside the photo exhibition, said, "Gandhi's movement promoted the spinning wheel and handloom and these elements of local cottage industry are shown here. Here we have saris, kurtas, bedcovers, shawls, prayer mats etc." There was also a cultural programme where students sang bhajans, like Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram and Hey jagat which were sung at Gandhi's prayer meetings. The songs stress home Gandhi's spirituality and his message of peace.

The photographs include pictures of Gandhi's youth, married life, children, friends and associates in South Africa, Karachi and London. It highlights his life with Jawharlal Nehru, MA Jinnah, Lord and Lady Mountbatten.

The programme was arranged by the Indian High Commission, in association with Gandhi Ashram Trust, Noakhali and Bangladesh Bharat Sampriti Parishad. It was inaugurated by Minister of Shipping Lt Col Akbar Hossain, MP.