Narendra Modi retraces Mahatma Gandhi's train journey in S Africa
9 July 2016 5:53 PM IST9 July 2016 5:53 PM IST
On same train to Pietermaritzburg, Modi tells reporters Gandhi, Mandela would continue to inspire future generations.
Tracing Mahatma Gandhi's historic train journey that shaped his decision to resist racial segregation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a train journey to Pietermaritzburg in Durban, South Africa.- Modi is currently on the second leg of his four-nation tour and will visit Tanzania later on Saturday and then proceed to Kenya.
- He also signed the visitors book at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station.
- Modi pays tribute at the spot where Gandhiji was offloaded at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station.
- Recounting that it was the first country to cut trade relations with South Africa over its former harsh system of racial segregation, which lasted for decades and ended in the 1990s, Modi said, South Africa has fought a long battle & India has been a part of that struggle. Today South Africa & India are working shoulder to shoulder for development.'
- Modi also opened an exhibition on Gandhi's life at the train station in Pietermaritzburg, where Gandhi was ejected.
- Tracing the journey, Modi, in a wood-paneled car with local officials, moved ahead under heavy security from Pentrich railway station to Pietermaritzburg in Durban.
- The encounter shaped Gandhi's decision to resist racial segregation and other injustices with non-violent protest, first while living in South Africa and then in India.
- The train journey was intended to commemorate the incident in which a young Gandhi in 1893 was ejected from a South African train when he refused an order to move from a first-class carriage because of his race.
- Memories of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela will keep inspiring the future generations. South Africa's journey has become tirth yatra' for me, have visited all 3 places, significant in India's history and that of Mahatma Gandhi,' Modi was quoted as saying.
- Speaking to reporters at the Pietermaritzburg station, Modi said, I am talking from the place where a lawyer named Mohandas was off loaded in 1893 while travelling. This place (Pietermaritzburg) marks the transformation of that Mohandas' into Mahatma'. That day, journey of Mohandas, a lawyer ended, but a new journey of a Mahatma' commenced.'
Tracing Mahatma Gandhi’s historic train journey that shaped his decision to resist racial segregation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a train journey to Pietermaritzburg in Durban, South Africa.
On same train to Pietermaritzburg, Modi tells reporters Gandhi, Mandela would continue to inspire future generations.
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