UNSW students gather around Gandhi bust
It was a great and proud moment for the Indian community, more particularly Indian students, when NSW Minister Eric Roozendaal, MLC, UNSW VC, Professor Frederick G Hilmer AO, and Indian Consul General, Mr Amit Dasgupta unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the grounds of University of New South Wales [UNSW], Sydney early this week.
The bust is located in front of the UNSW library. The speakers at the grand yet somber function talked about the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. He was described as a man of peace, non-violence and wisdom. Two quotes that stand out were “An eye for an eye will render the world blind” and “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Three students from Indian community were also awarded for their achievements in UNSW on the occasion.
Mr Gambhir Watts of Bhavan Australia has been tirelessly working on the project to get Gandhi Ji’s statue installed in Sydney for a while but this project received a significant impetus after Consul General, Mr Dasgupta joined the Indian Consulate in March last year. The Indian community is thankful to both these gentlemen.
CG spoke about his visit to UNSW last year when Indian students’ issues were at its peak. He had a very productive discussion with UNSW. It was then that a decision was made to install The Gandhi bust in UNSW. CG had also donated hundreds of books on Mahatma Gandhi and India to UNSW library as gifts from India and people of India.
UNSW VC and other speakers spoke very highly of CG and described him as a man who gets things done.
Apart from the Minister, CG and UNSW VC, this ceremony was also attended by other UNSW officials, Gambhir Watts, AIBC chairman [Mr Dipen Rughani], Harry Walia, Dr. Yadu Singh,
Abbas Alvi, Nihal Agar, Rohitas Batta, Aruna Chandrala, Raj Datta, Neville Roach, Mrs Roach, Mala Mehta and N Saha among others.
After the unveiling of the bust, this spot has become a hot spot for several Indian functions related to the Mahatma, especially the forthcoming Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 next.
