Indian president Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday (22) unveiled a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Australian city Sydney and said his powerful message of non-violence and peaceful coexistence is relevant in these times of strife.
Marking the ongoing celebrations of the 150th anniversary year of the Mahatma along with Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, Kovind said it was an honour for him to unveil the statue as the legend belonged to the entire world.
Kovind, the first-ever Indian head of state to visit Australia, arrived in Sydney on Wednesday (21) on the second leg of his two-nation trip. During the first leg, he visited Vietnam.
Two photographs posted by the official Twitter handle of the president of India showed the striking bronze statue garlanded with flowers. In one of the photographs, president Kovind, first lady Savita Kovind, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and Mayor of Paramatta Andrew Wilson were seen in front of the statue.
Members of Indian community were also present at the event and raised slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Matram".
Acknowledging the presence of premier Morrison, Kovind said, "This initiative has a very special meaning to help spread Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and timeless message across the world." "His universal teachings have a special resonance in all corners," he said.
Kovind added Gandhi and the Australian society struck a common cord as he too was a strong supporter of multi-cultural ethos, like Australia.
Indian president noted, Gandhi's message of non-violence and peaceful coexistence stands all the more relevant in these times of strife. "As a country which is home to people from every part of the world, Mahatma Gandhi's legacy cannot be more relevant to its values and ethos," Kovind said in the event held.
6.9K views · 135 reactions | I’m genuinely shocked and saddened by reports that Will Jackson, Conservative candidate for North Harrow in the elections next month, has told British-born Asian MPs like Rishi Sunak and Shabana Mahmood that they are “not British” and should “go back to Pakistan,” He also suggested figures like Anthony Joshua and Dua Lipa aren’t British.I have raised this important matter in Parliament today, because there is no place for racism in our politics.I’m proud of Harrow’s diverse, close-knit communities. Every candidate should seek to unite people, not divide them.This matter must be taken seriously. I welcome the Conservative Party’s statement that Mr Jackson’s comments are wholly unacceptable and their decision to suspend him.But serious questions remain about how he was selected as a candidate in the first place, and why he was considered fit to represent our community.https://bylinetimes.com/2026/04/13/conservative-candidate-tells-british-mps-to-go-back-to-pakistan/🎥 👇 | Gareth Thomas MP 
