‘Expansion of freedom in India is also the freedom of women’
THE expansion of freedom in India in many senses amounted to the expansion of freedom for women in the country, said Consul-General of India in Cape Town Abhishek Shukla.
He was reading an extract from the speech of Indian President Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of the country’s 72nd Independence Day.
The consul invited Indian nationals, members of the Indian community and friends of India to a flag- hoisting ceremony in Constantia, which commemorated the country’s independence from British rule in 1947.
Shukla hailed South Africa for its role in moulding Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who returned to his country of birth as a Mahatma and fought for its eventual independence.
According to Shukla the Indians first arrived in South Africa in 1816 and today about 1.5 million people of Indian descent contribute in various ways to the country.
“India was the first country to sever ties during apartheid, supporting the UN sanctions against the regime. Also being the first country to re-establish ties following the release of former president Nelson Mandela in 1993,” he said.
Shukla said that both countries still had much to do in terms of developing its citizens, echoing the words of his president, that the education of women was important as they were an important part of both societies.
Independence Day is annually celebrated on August 15 – the day the UK Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act 1947, transferring legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly.
Gandhi became a prominent pro-independence figure, leading millions in his quest for a peaceful solution which won him world respect
Member of the National Assembly Aumsensingh Singh said South Africa could take responsibility for the formative years of Gandhi as an activist.
He said that the ties between South Africa and India had been strengthened through its BRICS partnership and the development of Africa.
Gunwant Jaga,76, known as Mr Kay in Bo Kaap and his wife Bhanoo Jaga, 74, of India, said: “My grandfather came to South Africa almost 100 years ago and opened a shoe store known today as Rocksole, which my son, the fourth generation, is continuing.
When we were removed through the Group Areas Act from Bo Kaap, we still retained the store and after democracy we moved closer to Green Point,” he said.
Bhanoo said that she was excited to be involved and felt a deep connection to her Indian roots through events such as the Independence Day and Diwali.