Embassy of India

Berlin

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Press Release

150 ^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Embassy of India, Berlin, began a two-year long commemoration (from October 2, 2018 to October 2, 2020) of the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with a homage ceremony at the iconic Mauer Museum Haus at Checkpoint Charlie today.

Ambassador of India to Germany, Mrs. Mukta Dutta Tomar, paid homage by offering floral tributes at the bust of Gandhiji at the Mauer Museum, along with Director of Mauer Museum, Ms. Alexandra Hildebrandt and other attendees that included members of the diplomatic corps and the Indian community among others. Director Ms Hildebrandt, in her welcome address, described the bust of Gandhiji as the Museum’s most prized possession.

In her address on the occasion, Ambassador Tomar highlighted the relevance of Gandhiji’s ideals and principles such as non-violence, equality, faith in humanity, belief in the supremacy of truth, in today’s world that is plagued by violence, inequality, fake news, poverty and disparity. Gandhiji’s birth anniversary on October 2^nd was declared by the United Nations in 2007 as the International Day of Non-Violence as a tribute to the great soul who epitomised the ideal of ‘ahimsa’ or non-violence. Ambassador Tomar also quoted Chancellor Angela Merkel who has described Gandhiji as “a courageous statesman, a great son of the Indian nation and the pioneer of non-violent resistance.”

Commemorative stamps on the life of Mahatma Gandhi were released by India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, earlier in the day in New Delhi. These commemorative stamps were unveiled at the ceremony by Ambassador Tomar.

A short video produced by the Embassy of India, Berlin, of the rendition of a spiritual song or ‘bhajan’ which was a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi was released on the occasion. The ‘bhajan’ titled ‘Vaishnava jana to’ has been sung by German actress and singer Alexandra Marisa Wilcke and is available on Embassy of India, Berlin’s Facebook page.

Accomplished North Indian classical vocalist Jyotika Dayal Paust, accompanied by Ravi Srinivasan on the tabla, presented favourite ‘bhajans’ of Gandhiji which had the audience join in with great enthusiasm.

As part of the series of commemorative events on the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Germany, an online quiz competition was launched today on Twitter (@eoiberlin) and Facebook (@indiaingermany) of the Embassy of India, Berlin. The online quiz will be held over the next one year with attractive prizes for the winners.

Berliners will also be able to have a glimpse into the life and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi through a large-scale video projection that will be screened at Spreeufer at Nikolaiviertel on October 2 and 3 from 19.30 – 23.00 hrs.

A few photographs of the event are attached. More photographs and information are available at:

https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInGermany/?ref=bookmarks

https://twitter.com/eoiberlin

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Berlin

October 2, 2018

Ambassador of India to Germany, Mrs Mukta Dutta Tomar, offering floral tributes at Mauer Museum on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary

Ambassador of India to Germany, Mrs Mukta Dutta Tomar, addressing the gathering at Mauer Museum on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary

Ambassador Tomar unveiling commemorative stamps on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary

Indian classical singer Jyotika Dayal Paust and percussionist Ravi Srinivasan presenting Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite ‘bhajans’ on the occasion

Berliners got a glimpse into the life and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi through a large-scale video projection at Spreeufer, Nikolaiviertel