Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh culture department considers Mahatma Gandhi as a ‘Pravasi’ (Non Resident Indian) and his life and works will be showcased at the ‘Pravasi Swatantrata Senani Gallery’ here.
The gallery, focusing on the contribution of hundreds of freedom fighters who struggled for the country’s independence from foreign soils, is coming up at the Shaurya Smarak in the city.
Spread over 11,000 square feet, the gallery will showcase the life and works of leaders like Subhash Chandra Bose, Madam Cama, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Hardayal, Rasbihari Bose, Barkatullah Bhopali, Dadabhai Naoroji, Swami Vivekanand and Raja Mahendra Pratap.
Deputy director, Swaraj Sansthan, S K Verma said “Yes, we can call Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Pravasi’ because he lived in South Africa for many years,” adding, “in fact, he developed the concept of Satyagraha while living there and got the title of ‘Mahatma’.
Besides, the gallery will also depict how Indians settled in Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia, Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad, Guyana and Mauritius worked for freeing India from the imperialist yoke. Divided into 14 sections, the gallery will have digital displays, interactive panels and LED walls.
“Whenever we talk of the freedom movement, we only refer to the struggle by leaders who lived and worked in India. However, a large number of Indians also fought for India’s freedom while living in other countries,” Verma said. The gallery would introduce the visitors to the contribution of such leaders, he said.
The exhibits to be displayed in the gallery have been provided by the ministry of external affairs. They were part of an exhibition titled ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’ that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention in Indore in January 2023.
“At the initiative of principal secretary, culture, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, it was decided to turn the exhibition into a permanent display in Bhopal,” Verma said, adding that “the civil work for the gallery has almost been completed at a cost of Rs 4 crore and it will open for the public by the end of this year.”
