By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 11 November 2021: Victoria will have its first statue of Mahatma Gandhi tomorrow (12 November 2021) at the Indian Community Centre, Rowville. It will be unveiled at the Centre run by the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust (AICCT).
The event is likely to see the attendance of local federal members, Hon. Alan Tudge MP, Member for Aston, Minister for Education and Youth, and Hon. Jason Wood MP, Member for Latrobe, Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs and Hon Matthew Guy, Patron of Federation of Indian Associations in Victoria.
A vbiew of the Gandhi statue to be unveiled at the Indian Community Centre.Photo- SAT/NN
The statue of Mahatma Gandhi which has been kept at the Indian Community Centre for some time could not be unveiled on October 2, Gandhi’s birthday because of pandemic restrictions in Victoria.
The Centre was partially funded by the Australian Government with $2.5 million funding in addition to funding by the seven Trustees of the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust. Mr Vasan Srinivasan, who heads the Centre told SAT, ” The State Government had promised another $ 95,000 ($ 85,000 received).
The two-story Center which will have the Gandhi statue has a built-up area of 1040 sq Meters and lots of parking. An application has also been made for permission to hold events at the Centre.
Mr Vasan Srinivasan Chairperson and Founding Trustee of AICCT in a media statement says, ” The father of Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi has devoted his life to establishing India as a sovereign nation and we are proud to have the statue at the Community Centre.
A visit to the Gandhi Statue in Melbourne. Video- YouTube/SAT/NN
The AICCT wishes to thank the ICCR and the Consul General of India in Melbourne for their support in facilitating the logistics in this initiative.”
A large number of community members are expected to attend the event which will is being organised as per Victorian government guidelines and only double vaccinated invitees are permitted to attend.
