Gandhi's 'Satyagrah' remembered after 100 years again

Durban, Oct 1 (UNI) Satyagrah, the 'Passive Resistance' campaign, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1906 from this ''blessed land,'' and which became a buzz word for India's freedom struggle, was brought alive here today after a century amid playing of ragas and chanting of hymns.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South African President Thabo Mbeki joined thousands of enthusiastic people at a centenary commemoration ceremony at the Kingsmead Sahara Stadium here with the crowds pledging to carry forward the Mahatma's legacy to usher in an era of peace in this turbulent world.

The colourful ceremony was marked by a dance performance by artists from the Naateshwar Dance Academy and playing of Sarod by noted maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his two sons.

Leaders from both countries, including South African Foreign Minister Diamini Zuma, Premier of KawaZulu Natal Joel Ndebele and Culture Minister Dr Z P Jordan attended the function alongwith Mrs Ambika Soni and Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma.

Eulogising Mahatma Gandhi, leaders of the two countries paid glowing tributes to Mahatma's sacrifices stating that the 'passive resistance campaign' had helped him to develop ''a philosophy of struggle that brought down the mighty British empire in the Indian sub-continent.

It also inspired South Africans and their icon Nelson Mandela to launch a peaceful resistance agaisnst apartheid that ultimately was eradicated from the earth in nineties.

After the function, the Prime Minister visited the 'Phoenix' settlement, Dr Dube's Memorial and Ohlange High School. All the three places are linked with Mahatma Gandhi's stay and struggle in South Africa.

Phoenix Settlement, comprising 100 acres of land, was set up by Mahatma Gandhi for Indian settlers. Reverend John Dube (1871-1946) who later became the first President-General of the African National Congress (ANC) had a close relationship with Mahatma Gandhi.

The Prime Minister kicked off his three-day South African tour, which he called a ''pilgrimage,'' by the visiting the Pietermaritzburg Railway station on the outskirts of Durban and taking a ride of the vintage train from which Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out June 7, 1893, which later changed the course of history.

This traumatic experience changed the 24-year old barrister Mahatma Ganddhi and started his extra-ordinary transformation from a lawyer into the Mahatma, Dr Singh said.

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