This page uses Javascript. Your browser either doesn't support Javascript or you have it turned off. To see this page as it is meant to appear please use a Javascript enabled browser.
This website uses Javascript
This website uses Javascript
This website uses Javascript
This website uses Javascript
This website uses Javascript
Ministry of External Affairs
Sitemap
Contact
Feedback
Intranet
Media Login
Skip to main content
Screen Reader Access
Please select Language
English
हिन्दी
Ministry of External Affairs
Government of India
What's New
Search
java script is required for this page
Home
About Us
About MEA
Profiles
Organization Structure
Internship with Us
Disclosure of Gifts received in Toshakhana
Immovable Property Returns of IFS Officers
Visits
Outgoing Visits
President Visits
Vice President Visits
Prime Minister Visits
EAM Visits
Incoming Visits
Virtual Meetings
Media Center
Spokesperson's Office
Personnel
Facilitation of Foreign Media
Media Accreditation
Documentary Filming in India
MEA Media Campaigns
Speeches & Statements
Press Releases
Bilateral/Multilateral Documents
Response to Media Queries
Media Briefings
Photo Gallery
Media Advisory
Interviews
Parliament Q & A
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Publications
India in Business
Annual Reports
MEA
Other Offices
Other Publications
OIA Publications
Other Documents
Archives
NAI Archives
Foreign Policy
Bilateral Briefs
Development Partnerships
Voice of Global South Summit
India and the United Nations
Disarmament and International Security Affairs
Indian Treaties Database
ISA Founding Conference
India’s G20 Presidency
Consular Services
Consular Services
Guide to Consular Services
Attestation/Apostille
Bachelorhood / Single Status Certificate
NORI
Consular Access
Transfer of Sentenced Persons
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
Passport Services
Visa Services
Online Indian Visa
Diplomatic / Official Visa
E-Visa
Verify Foreign Visa / Permit / CDCs
Visa Facility for Indian Nationals (Ordinary Passports)
Visa Agreements
Visa Exemption / Waiver Agreements
For Diplomatic Passports
Visa Facilitation Agreements
Visa Services Provided By FRROs
Checklist for FRRO Registration Formalities
Outsourced CPV Services
Diaspora and migration issues
Diaspora Engagement
Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme
Know India Programme
Know Goa Programme
Scholarship Programmes for Diaspora Children
Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra
Bharat ko Jaaniye Online Quiz (BKJ)
Students Registration Portal
Marital Issues of Indian nationals married to overseas Indians
Overseas Employment
Overseas Voters
How to enrol as an Overseas/NRI elector
National Voters' Service Portal
Brochure for Overseas Electors
Brochure for Service Voters
Welfare
OWRC, MRC and PBSK
Welfare Compensation Claims
Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana (PBBY)
Indian Community Welfare Fund
Details of Organisations/NGO's registered with Indian Missions/Posts Abroad
Indian Students Abroad
Transfer of Mortal Remains
Dialogues & Agreements
Multilateral Co-operation
Model Contracts
Notification
Social Security Agreements
Labour Mobility Partnership (LMPA)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)
Autonomous Bodies
India Centre for Migration (ICM)
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Contact
Archives
Population of Overseas Indians
FAQs
Public Diplomacy
Distinguished Lectures
Documentaries
Documentary / Feature Film Catalogue
India Perspectives
Bharat Ek Parichay
E-Citizen/Tenders
Tenders
Newsletter
Vigilance
Lodge Complaint
Integrity Pact
PIDPI
Complaints Committee
Acts, Legislations & Rules
Accounts
Budget
Demands for Grants
Grants-in-aid to Autonomous Bodies
Citizens' Charter
Advisories
Travel Advisories
Useful Links
The President of India
Vice President of India
Prime Minister of India
Indian Parliament
Hindi at United Nations
United Nations News
Protocol Division
Indian Council of Cultural Relations
I2U2
Monthly Major Achievements of MEA
COVID-19
Guidelines for International Arrivals
Fight Against COVID19
Vaccine Maitri
Archives
Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates
Important links
More Links
India in Business
Indian Mission
RTI
Visits
Home
›
Visits
›
Outgoing Visits
›
Visit Detail
Detail
Remarks by President on Unveiling of the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Paramatta, Sydney
November 22, 2018
His Excellency Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Lord Mayor of the City of Paramatta Andrew Wilson
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be visiting Paramatta. It is an honor for me to unveil the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, our Father of the Nation in these beautiful surroundings. I thank you for honouring him in your country. And I thank Prime Minister Morrison for his august presence here.
This initiative has a very special meaning. To help spread his legacy and timeless message across the world, the Government of India had, just a month ago, launched a two-year long series of events on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary year. I warmly invite all of you to join us in these celebrations.
Mahatma Gandhi belongs not just to India, but to the entire world. His universal teachings have a special resonance in all corners. In these times of strife, his powerful message of non-violence and peaceful co-existence stands all the more relevant. His favourite bhajan or song " Vaishnava Jan To Tene Kahiye” the essence of which is compassion, kindness and good-ness for others, for once and for always, without letting pride enter one’s mind. This captures the inner voice of the Mahatma. I thank your melodious singer Heather Lee for giving her voice to the song as a tribute to our Father of the Nation. Many others, across the five continents, have also paid a similar tribute to his thought and legacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and values resonate, deeply and powerfully, in this land. There is a special connect between Gandhian thought and the Australian way of life. Mahatma Gandhi always championed the cause of environment and nature. His idea of compassion and kindness extended beyond the human pale around him. He had deep respect for forests, rivers and our habitat. These are values that you passionately own, share and keep close to your hearts in your daily lives.
On another note, Gandhiji and the Australian society strike a common cord. He, as you do, had the deepest regard and respect for multi-cultural ethos. He said and I quote – "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.” –unquote. As a country which is home to people from every part of the world, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy could not be more relevant to its values and ethos.
The statue to be unveiled today on the initiative of Paramatta City Council also symbolizes the historic bond that ties our nations together. As the world’s largest democracy and as a country that celebrates its diversity and openness, we take immense pride in our relations with Australia. The vibrant link at the people-to-people level adds vigor and vitality to this relationship.
Going forward, I am optimistic that our two countries, which share so much in common, can achieve so much more together. On this special occasion, I am especially gratified by the presence of a large number of Indian diaspora members. They serve as a living bridge between their new home and the land of their ancestors. Gandhiji himself was a "pravasi” or an ex-patriate. He lived in South Africa for 21 years before he returned to India and went on to change the course of our history.
I am happy to note the tremendous contribution made by hundreds of thousands of qualified, hard-working, diligent and enterprising Indian Diaspora members in the nation making of this beautiful country. I convey to them and to all Australians good wishes and love from the people of India.
May we all resolve today to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and work for the lasting benefit of humanity? I once again thank the Lord Mayor for making this event a success and all those who have contributed to this wonderful initiative.
Thank you.
Sydney
November 22, 2018
This website uses Javascript
Comments
Post A Comment
Name
*
E-mail
*
Write Your Comment
*
Verification Code
*
java script is required for this page
Go to Navigation