Antananarivo: A Green Triangle named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo today by the Mayor, Naina Andriantsitohaina, and Indian Ambassador Abhay Kumar, to mark the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in Madagascar.
The event was attended by members of local government, diplomatic corps, Heads of International Organisations, and members of the Indian Diaspora in Madagascar.
Addressing the audience at the ceremony, the Ambassador said, “Mahatma Gandhi, fondly called ‘Bapu’ (father), was born on 2nd October 1869 in the Indian state of Gujarat. He was the greatest Pravasi who returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever. Madagascar has a large diaspora from the Indian state of Gujarat and it is fitting that today a green triangle named after Mahatma Gandhi who also hailed from Porbandar Gujarat is being unveiled in the capital of Madagascar.”
Continuing on the significance of the triangle, Ambassador said, “Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote, “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs but not every man’s greed” highlights his vision and philosophy when it comes to reducing consumerism, respecting nature and aiming for sustainable development. The word green in the plaque signifies our commitment to sustainable development and saving the environment.”
Abhay said that since this area was a booming commercial spot and also hosted a large number of Indian outlets, the naming of the park as Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle was an apt tribute to the Mahatma.
“I believe it will bring the Indian Diaspora in Madagascar closer to India and will raise awareness among the people about Mahatma Gandhi and the values of peace and non-violence he stood for,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion the Mayor of Antananarivo, Andriantsitohaina thanked the Indian Embassy for taking the initiative to gather all the entrepreneurs of this area to create a green space. “I appreciate the efforts of the Embassy in greening this area and enhancing the beauty of this place as it meets the objective of the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo to create the maximum green space in the capital city of Madagascar,” he said.
At the end of the event, the Ambassador presented postal stamps on Mahatma Gandhi to the Mayor, issued by the Malagasy Post to mark the celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019.
– global bihari bureau
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