Cardiff celebrates 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi with verve

Cardiff City Hall shone in Indian tricolour -  saffron, white and green - on October 2 celebrating the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The commemorative event, sponsored by Indian government, saw performances of traditional Indian music and dance, as well as speeches on Gandhi’s life and legacy.

“This is a major celebration for a man that the whole world recognises as a great leader and wise soul,” commented Raj Aggarwal, the Honorary Consul for India in Wales, who organised the event.

“In these days when sustainability and the environment are at the forefront of our minds it’s important to point out that Gandhi lived by the principles of a cleaner less wasteful life way before it was a mainstream issue,” he added.

Over 400 people attended the sell out event.

Members of the Ty Krishna temple in Cardiff Bay and the Ty Krishna temple in London performed at the event. A dramatic performance of Indian epic Ramayana by ISCKON London Radha-Krisha Temple has been another highlight.

Students of the Cardiff Cathedral School choir gave a recital at the event.

Shaunaka Risha Das, director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, delivered a memorial lecture, which was followed by a response from James Hegarty, Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University.

Deputy Welsh Minister Jane Hutt and Eluned Morgan, MP and Welsh Minister for International Relations, spoke at the event.

Dignitaries attended the event included Brigadier Graeme "Jock" Fraser, Cardiff Lord Mayor Daniel De'Ath and Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, alongside leaders of the British Indian community in Wales.