Gandhi statue excites many

Indian-Americans praise a new life-size figure at Exploris

Talk about excited. Ten-year-old Pranshu Bhardwaj broke into spontaneous haiku when asked about Mahatma Gandhi:

One man with a dream...

To fight war without bloodshed

To have peace in world

"He deserves to have a statue built for him. He has saved lives and altered many minds," Pranshu says of the man many fondly refer to as "Mahatma" or "great soul."

Almost 60 years after the assassination of Mohandas K. Gandhi, the Chapel Hill student will join those gathering at Exploris on Saturday as the museum dedicates a life-size bronze statue of the Indian leader during its India Day celebration.

The day will feature a host of events, including dance and music performances and the screening of the IMAX film "Mystic India: An Incredible Journey of Inspiration." But for many in the Indian-American community in the Triangle, the Gandhi statue has particular resonance.

"We need Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of nonviolence more now in the turbulent times," says Arvind Shah of the Indian American Forum for Political Education. "His principles of nonviolence are universal and can be used even today."

The statue was Shah's brainchild. He came up with the idea in January 2005 and it bounced around for a while until he went to Exploris and offered it as a gift to the museum. After getting the nod from Exploris' governing board, Shah went to the Indian community for financing. In just a year and a half, the community managed to raise $55,000.

Exploris interim director Pam Hartley says the museum has a long-standing relationship with the Indian-American community. "In fact, the life and writings of Mahatma Gandhi influenced the founders of the museum to build Exploris as a place where children and families can build relationships with people from many cultures based on respect and understanding."

Hartley thinks it is important to reinforce ties between North Carolina and India, especially "during a time when the cultural and economic ties between the United States and India grow stronger each year."

Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader in India, renowned for his leadership in the country's independence movement. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shaping the American civil rights movement. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948.

The 6-foot-high silicon bronze likeness, made by the famed Indian sculptor Ram Sutar, sits on a concrete pedestal in Exploris' central courtyard, and depicts Gandhi in a standing pose holding a walking stick in his right hand. A plaque is inscribed with his inspirational words: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Visitors can also hear a two-minute recording of Gandhi's speech by activating the short voice recorder at the statue's base.

Usha Raj, a storyteller in Durham schools, considers Gandhi her hero. On Saturday, she's looking forward to sharing stories with a wider audience on the Gandhi and King connection. "I feel storytelling is a good method to get across the ideology and vision of Mahatma Gandhi to children and families," she says.

Indian-Americans here say that ideology is what has them so excited about the statue. Thakorbhai Parekh, 90, an invited guest speaker, says the event opens a floodgate to memories of his 28-year-long association with Gandhi. He believes the leader's beliefs are especially relevant today.

Chapel Hill homemaker Gunjjan Bansal agrees. She is taking her American-born son Raghav to Raleigh to see the statue. "I hope this would instill in my son a sense of pride about his Indian roots and heritage," she says.

"I would like to encourage my child to know more about Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent ways, especially in this time of world conflict."