Mahatma Gandhi's bronze bust unveiled in Mississippi

A city in the Mississippi Delta region on Friday (8) unveiled a bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

The bust was installed in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Coahoma County, and was supplied by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and designed by Ram Sutar.

“We are humbled by this most generous gift. Gandhi was among the most courageous and spiritual of men. He led his nation to freedom not with guns but with simplicity, determination, truth and non-violence. His efforts inspired the world, including the leaders of our own nation's Civil Rights Movement, such as Dr King (Martin Luther King Jr) and the late Congressman John Lewis,” said Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy.

India's Consul General in Atlanta Dr Swati Kulkarni has formally presented the bust to the city, a media statement said.

Clarksdale and Coahoma County are located in the Mississippi Delta region, near the Mississippi River.

According to a statement, the Indian-American community has played a significant role in the progress of the city. 

“Having recruited PeopleShores to Clarksdale, which was founded by Indian-American Murali Vullaganti, I have seen firsthand their commitment to training their employees not only with technical skills, but most importantly, essential life skills,” said Jon Levingston, executive director of the Crossroads Economic Partnership.

“Their care and thoughtfulness in providing employees new educational and job opportunities are helping to break the generational cycles of poverty that have gripped our region for decades."

PeopleShores is a for-profit social enterprise that brings technology-driven jobs to the “shores” of economically challenged communities in the US.

The event was sponsored by the Crossroads Economic Partnership, a collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority of Coahoma County and PeopleShores.

“Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and principles continue to be a guiding light now as much as ever. This is especially relevant today when we are grappling with uncertainty in the face of a global pandemic, as well as a new social awakening in the US,” said MR Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora.

“We are delighted to be engaged in this community-wide effort. We hope the Indian diaspora can continue to serve as a force for good, as a bridge between countries, and as global ambassadors for Gandhi's message."