Mahatma GandhiPrint Page

The bronze sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) and a collection of books were a gift from the Government of India to the people of NSW and to the University to acknowledge the work being done by the University in maintaining close relations with the Indian community and providing a safe environment for Indian students.

The close links between India and UNSW have been highlighted by the unveiling of a bust of Gandhi on the Library Lawn.

The bronze sculpture and a collection of books were presented by the Government of India to the people of NSW and to the University.

The Consul-General of India in Sydney, Mr Amit Dasgupta, who presented the gift in October during the height of the student crisis, acknowledged the work being done by UNSW in maintaining close relations with the Indian community and providing a safe environment for Indian students. At the unveiling, Mr Dasgupta said that education and globalisation are both key in spreading messages against violence. "Gandhi was born in India, but he belongs to each and every one of you," said Mr Dasgupta, who spoke of the leader's message of non-violence.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the sculpture is in one of the most prominent places at the University - and has already attracted much interest from students.

Mr Dasgupta, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer and the Treasurer of NSW Eric Roozendaal unveiled the sculpture in front of other prominent members of the University, Indian and broader communities.

The event was held on the 100th anniversary of Wattle Day (1 September). Wattles are usually the first plants to rise from the ashes of bushfires and provide protection for other seedlings.

"Wattle is to be a lasting symbol of student safety at UNSW," says the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Jennie Lang, who says that the plant will be grown around campus as a message of goodwill.
UNSW Media, 2 September 2010.

Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India`s independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Gandhi was the pioneer and perfector of Satyagraha — the resistance of tyranny through mass civil disobedience strongly founded upon ahimsa (total non-violence), which led India to independence, and has inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Gandhi is commonly known and addressed in India and across the world as Mahatma Gandhi (from Sanskrit, Mahatma: Great Soul) and as Bapu (in many Indian languages, Father). Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. 

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