VOICE OF ASIA 6
The Gandhi Legacy
FRIDAY, October 2, 2015
ICC’s role in perpetuating Gandhi legacy in Houston
The Mahatma Gandhi statue unveiling ceremony at Hermann Park.
A
ugust 16, 2015 was a historical event for the Indo-American community in Houston when an 8ft. by 6 ft. Marble monument was unveiled at the intersection of Highway 59 and Hillcroft Road in the Mahatma Gandhi District of what has come to be known as Little India. The monument was inaugurated by Harish Pavathaneni, Consul General of India in Houston. A large number of Community leaders and elected officials attended the monument dedication event. Mahatma Gandhi District itself was formally named on January 10, 2016.
The Gandhi Monument Project was only the latest in a series of Projects completed by India Culture Center (ICC), in promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy in Houston. Actually, ICC has been in the forefront on the efforts to establish concrete, physical mementos in honor of Mahatma Gandhi in Houston, since 2002. Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Hermann Park On November 20, 2002, Houston’s Director of Parks and Recreation Department offered the site of the international Sculpture Garden in Hermann Park for the installation of the sculpture. After careful examination of the site offered
and many other potential sites, ICC submitted the final proposal to the Houston Municipal Arts Commission (MAC) on May 1, 2003. After detailed presentations, MAC approved the proposal on June 26 and the Mayor accepted the statue donation on July 11. The Groundbreaking by Mayor Brown was held on October 2, 2003, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The inauguration of the statue was to occur in December 2003, but due the logistics, fundraising, and building issues, the statue installation could not be completed and the final inauguration of the bronze statue was held on Oct 2, 2004. Houston Mayor Bill White, India’s Ambassador to US, Ronen Sen, former Mayor Lee P. Brown, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Consul General Skand Ranjan Tayal were among the guests at the unveiling ceremony. Hundreds attended the ceremony including prominent community leaders including ICC’s former and active presidents and directors and ICC supporters. Mahatma Gandhi District Project About the same time as the Gandhi statue idea was conceived, ICC, with help from several community activists, started exploring the idea of having a portion of the Hillcroft
Houston Mayor Bill White, India’s Ambassador to US, Ronen Sen, Former Mayor Lee P. Brown, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Consul General Tayal were among the dignitaries at the unveiling ceremony at Hermann Park.
The Mahhatma Gandhi Monument on Hillcroft, Houston.
Road re-named as Mahatma Gandhi Road. However, this Project required consent of at least 75% of the property owners in the area. This requirement could not be easily fulfilled. Therefore, instead ICC started working on the Project to have the area designated as the Mahatma Gandhi District. With the hard work and dedicated efforts by the ICC Board and many community volunteers Indian American ladies wave India’s flags in a show of support during the and business com- unveiling at Hillcroft, Houston. munity, the Project was approved As described in opening of Peace and Non-violence in by the City of Houston and paragraph of this article, the Houston for generations to Sharpstown Management unveiling of the Marble Mon- come. Perhaps, some other District, The Mahatma Gan- ument at the Head of the Ma- similar projects will be undhi District was inaugurated hatma Gandhi District was dertaken in the future, by by Mayor Annise Parker on only the latest ICC Project in India Culture Center, the oldJanuary 16, 2010. promoting, preserving, and est community organizations Mahatma Gandhi District perpetuating the memory of for all indo-Americans in the Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle Houston Metropolitan Area. Monument Unveiling
“ In a gentle way,
you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Congratulations on the installation of the Mahatma Gandhi monument in the Mahatma Gandhi District. Houston’s Indian community is part of the rich tapestry that makes up our city. And because of the work of local community organizers, all Houstonians have a new opportunity to focus on the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi and continue to be inspired by his teachings. Thank you for making Houston a better place for all of us!
Message Dear Readers of Voice of Asia, The installation of a monument for Mahatma Gandhi at such a high visibility intersection in Houston will provide our citizens with a visible reminder of his contribution as an Apostle of Peace. Pearland is one of the most diverse communities in the country with a large and contributing Indian population. We are proud of our Indian community and I join with them in commending this special recognition of a great man of peace.
With deep appreciation,
Tom Reid, Mayor, City of Pearland, Texas.
ring
Pol. adv. Sylvester Turner Campaign. David Mincberg, Treasurer
Hono
ji
dhi
Gan