SA railway station to have gallery on Mahatma

The efforts are underway to set up a permanent exhibition gallery, which will showcase important moments in the life of Mahatama Gandhi, at the two waiting rooms of Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa. Vanita Srivastava reports.

The efforts are underway to set up a permanent exhibition gallery, which will showcase important moments in the life of Mahatama Gandhi, at the two waiting rooms of Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa.

HT Image

A three-member team led by Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee — the grand daughter of Gandhiji — had last year visited South Africa for the purpose.

The project was initiated by V Gupta, the high commissioner of India to South Africa, last year and is under consideration of the external affairs ministry.

The Pietermaritzburg station has remained largely unchanged since the time Gandhiji made his historic journey on June 7, 1893.

While Gandhiji was on his way to Pretoria, a European passenger objected to his presence in a first-class compartment.

Gandhiji was ordered to move to a van compartment. Gandhi, who had a first-class ticket, refused to do so and was thrown off the train.

Tara Gandhi said she was impressed to see the preservation of the heritage sites where Gandhiji lived.

“A sound and light programme at the station would be very effective. Picture post cards of that time should also be available,” she told HT.