Mahatma Gandhi anniversary 2024: Freedom fighter's bust unveiled in Seattle

A bust of Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Seattle Center to mark his birth anniversary on October 2 news agency PTI reportedAccording to PTI the bust was unveiled on Wednesday in the presence of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Congressman Adam Smith and Indianorigin Congresswoman Pramila JayapalThe unveiling ceremony on the occasion of the Mahatma Gandhi anniversary 2024 celebrations was led by Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta It took place below the base of the famous Space Needle and adjacent to the Chihuly Garden and Glass MuseumLt Gen Xavier Brunson commander of the US First Corps in the Pacific Northwest and Eddie Rye chair of the Martin Luther KingGandhi Initiative were also in attendance to mark the Mahatma Gandhi 2024 celebrationsAccording to PTI the dignitaries who spoke at the Mahatma Gandhi 2024 celebrations underlined the values of Ahimsa nonviolence Satyagraha truth force and Sarvodaya welfare for all as being the defining need in current timesTo mark the occasion Washington Governor Jay Inslee released an official declaration acknowledging the bust as a homage to Gandhis teachings and a powerful reminder of nonviolences impact in making a changeMahatma Gandhis sculpture a gift from IndiaThe declaration noted that the sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi a gift from the Indian Government to the City of Seattle will act as a lasting tribute to Gandhis teachings and a reminder of the power of nonviolent action in achieving social and political change PTI cited quoting the GovernorIn keeping with its mission to promote a culture of peace tolerance and understanding the State of Washington declared its appreciation for the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Seattle Center cited a proclamation issued by the stateIt added that Washington houses more than 2 lakh Indian Americans whose contributions to the states cultural economic and social fabric are invaluableAccording to PTI King County in another proclamation designated October 2 as Mahatma Gandhi Day across all 73 cities of the Greater Seattle area stating that Gandhis life and legacy of nonviolence and peace have inspired millions around the world and added that his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and Satyagraha played a pivotal role in Indias freedom struggle and has impacted a number of global civil rights movements that advance justice equality and human rightsIt further stated that Dr Martin Luther King Jr a fervent supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and his nonviolent philosophy was named the official namesake of the county by the King County Council in a 1986 resolutionIt added that King was once quoted saying To other countries I may go as a tourist but to India I come as a pilgrim With consular jurisdiction over the nine Pacific Northwest states of Washington Oregon Idaho Montana Wyoming North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska and Alaska the Indian consulate in Seattle commenced operations in NovemberThe installations of Gandhis bust in Seattle is one of the various initiatives being implemented across its consular jurisdiction the Consulate said in a release as cited by PTIThe Consulate General of India and the city of Seattle had worked in partnership to identify an appropriate venue for locating the bust of Mahatma Gandhi and the iconic location of Seattle Center which draws more than 12 million visitors each year was considered appropriate given its location accessibility and commitment to promoting the values of peace and nonviolence it addedGandhis birthday is also acknowledged as the International Day of NonViolence by the United NationsThe installation of Gandhis bust in Seattle is one in a series of such initiatives that are gradually being implemented across the jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate PTI reported