“My life is my message.” Those are the words inscribed on the Mohandas K. Gandhi Statue right here in front of us. The statue stands as a powerful reminder of Gandhi’s enduring legacy. This memorial honors a pivotal world figure of the twentieth century.
The Mohandas K. Gandhi Statue is located on a triangular island along Massachusetts Avenue. It stands proudly in front of the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. The statue is a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. It was dedicated on September 16, 2000. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicated it during a state visit. US President Bill Clinton was also present.
The US Congress passed a bill in 1998 authorizing the memorial. This followed the 50th anniversary of Indian independence in 1947. The bill allowed the Government of India to establish a memorial to Gandhi. It was placed on US federal land in the District of Columbia.
The bronze Mohandas K. Gandhi Statue stands 8 feet 8 inches tall. It depicts Gandhi in ascetic garb. This references his 1930 march against the salt tax in India. Gautam Pal, a sculptor from Kolkata, designed the statue. The statue is mounted on a 16-ton plinth. The plinth is made of ruby granite from Ilkal, Karnataka. It stands in a circular plaza of gray granite pavers. Behind the statue are three slabs of Karnataka red granite. These slabs bear inscriptions honoring Gandhi’s memory. In front of it is a seat also of red granite.
The statue bears an inscription. It contains Gandhi’s answer to a journalist. The journalist asked for his message to the world. Gandhi simply stated: “My life is my message.”
Gandhi renounced worldly possessions. He devoted his life to working for the dignity of the downtrodden. His people called him Mahatma. This is a Sanskrit word for great soul. The great Indian poet Tagore proclaimed him so. Gandhi kept purity of means and peaceful resistance at the heart of his work. He campaigned against racial discrimination in South Africa from 1893 to 1914. He led a famous march to the sea. This protested the increase of the salt tax in India in 1930.
Gandhi inspired by the world’s great religions. He was influenced by the writings of Ruskin, Thoreau, and Tolstoy. His life and message inspired great leaders. These include Jawaharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela.
Sadly, the Mohandas K. Gandhi Statue has been vandalized a few times. In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, it was vandalized. The Indian Embassy registered a complaint with law enforcement. The statue was defaced again in December 2020 during a Khalistani separatist rally. The statue has since been restored after these incidents.
Take a moment to reflect on the message of the Mohandas K. Gandhi Statue. Consider Gandhi’s commitment to peace. Think about his dedication to justice. As we leave this spot, may we carry his message with us. May his life inspire us all.