Historically important places in the life of Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in South Africa will be turned into heritage sites.
AHMEDABAD: Historically important places in the life of Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in South Africa, where he started his experiments with truths and developed 'satyagraha' as non-violent weapon against colonial rulers, will be turned into heritage sites.
The plan includes revival of Tolstoy Farm and Phoenix Ashram established by the Father of the Nation.
His place of stay in Noakhali district of Bangladesh is also one of the spots being planned to develop as one of his memorials. Secretary of Sabarmati Ashram of Ahmedabad Amrut Modi said all the three places, where Mahatma Gandhi had lived an important part of his life, will be revived with the help of local residents of that country and governments.
Efforts would also be made to include these three places as heritage sites in those countries, he added. "At present, these places are in ruins. After Gandhiji left South Africa, the two places established by him were destroyed. The base of the building and a printing press in the Ashram is left at those places," he added.
"It was in South Africa that Mahatma's course of life changed after he faced extreme humiliation at the hands of colonial rulers. There he developed satyagraha as a weapon to fight the British imperialism," Modi pointed out.
"He implemented satyagraha in his life, his family members's lives and encouraged others to take up the ways of
ashram during his 21 years stay in the African country", Modi added.
"It has become very important to reclaim this land, restore it in its original form and make a memorial there to pay tribute to the great soul", he said.
Talking about the Tolstoy Farm which was established by Mahatma Gandhi near Johannesburg, Modi said the Gujarati community based in South Africa has purchased the land of the farm.
"The farm has been completely destroyed and at present there is just a base of the building which was built by Gandhiji".
"The South African people and Nelson Mandela are grateful to Gandhiji as their freedom struggle was also inspired by the great leader. The government there is positive about the project," he said.
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