Gandhi statue to be unveiled in Cardiff Bay
A LONG-AWAITED statue of Gandhi will finally be unveiled in Cardiff Bay this October.
The Hindu Council of Wales has confirmed that the memorial will be located at Lloyd George Avenue near the Wales Millennium Centre.
It will be unveiled on October 2, the UN international day of non-violence.
The unveiling will come weeks after India celebrated the 70th anniversary of independence from British rule, which was marked with a series of events in Cardiff. A ceremony, including a series of speeches, will mark the unveiling which takes place on Gandhi’s birthday.
The Hindu Council of Wales said: “It will be a tribute to a unique man who epitomises peace, non-violence and tolerance. The iconic figure of the Mahatma (Great Soul) will act as focal point of peace and will help ensure that the legacy of Gandhi lives on for future generations in Wales.”
The 300kg statue was made in India and cost about £65,000, including the cost of the unveiling ceremony and installation.
The money has all been raised through fundraising and donations by the Hindu Council of Wales.
Fundraising has been going on since 2015.
Campaigners announced in April 2015 that they had reached their first milestone of £5,000.
The Hindu Council of Wales said: “We are living in a world where conflict, war and discord are everywhere and it seems that Gandhi’s message and teachings are what the world needs today to bring some peace and harmony in the world.
“The Hindu Council of Wales hopes to establish and maintain his teachings and his contribution to the advancement of human rights, citizenship and the promotion of racial harmony, equality and diversity.
“Gandhi’s message of non-violence and racial harmony is highly relevant today, and the Hindu Council of Wales hopes his messages and teachings will permeate the whole society and bring peace and harmony to Wales.”