PM Narendra Modi to unveil Mahatma Gandhi statue in Brisbane

Former honorary Indian consul in Brisbane Parsram Punj said he is honoured to be participating in unveiling of a Mahatma Gandhi statue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city.

PM Modi, who is in the Australian city for the ninth G20 Summit, is expected to unveil a statue of the iconic freedom fighter in Brisbane's Roma Street Parkland. Punj said Modi expressed his desire to commemorate Gandhi in the city during his visit to the honorary consul in 2001.

"When he came, he discussed with us that he wanted a road or a statue commemorating Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane. When he became Prime Minister this year, it was the ideal opportunity; we acquired some land through the consul," said Punj.

He added that the family was the main donor for the statue; his son had even supplied the granite. The Prime Minister has planned extra events in Brisbane during his four-day visit including the unveiling of the statue, talks with Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, among other events.

People are betting on PM Modi's visit to Australia to strengthen ties with the near 300,000-strong Indian diaspora in the country, with a friendly tax regime for non-residents and options for dual citizenship on the wish list. The Prime Minister is expected to draw 16,000 people to his rally in Sydney on Monday while 270 people have booked on the "Modi Express" train for fans, which will run from Melbourne to Sydney.

PM Modi is also expected to meet 200 prominent Indian businessmen and entrepreneurs and students in Sydney.