Phoenix a pilgrimage for India:PM

Durban, Oct 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today described the Phoenix settlement as a place of ''pilgrimage'' for India saying it was a true reflection of Mahatma Gandhi's message of 'Sarvodaya'.

After visiting the settlement, which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi for Indian settlers more than a 100 years back, the Prime Minister said ''this is a place of spiritual significance for me and the people of South Africa.'' It is from this place that Gandhiji started his peaceful confrontation in the struggle for equality, justice and human dignity.

His non-violent strategy 'Satyagraha'--the Peaceful resistance'--later proved an inspiration for South African people in their fight against apartheid.

The modest house in which Gandhiji lived, symbolises all that he stood for.

''The settlement is a place of pilgrimage for us as the site of Mahatma Gandhi's first endeavour in community living,'' the Prime Minister wrote in the visitors' book.

Only the remnants of Gandhi's house remain in the settlement which was badly damaged in 1985 in so called 'Inanda Riots.' The violence brought to an end the traditional Gandhi family life as it was overtaken by 8000 informal settlers.

''I know that the settlement was almost razed to the ground in 1985. I think it is a testimony to the triumph of the Gandhian spirit that it has been rebuilt and is a part of the broader community of Inanda today,'' Dr Singh said.

''I am happy that the Indian Government participated in the restoration and rehabilitation of the the settlement...We will always be glad to do more to help the settlement once again become a model of community living. I think this would be a true tribute to the memory of the Mahatma,'' he added.

South African President Thabo Mbeki and his senior cabinet Ministers were also present on the occasion to pay homage to the Father of the Nation whose birth anniversary falls tomorrow. The Phoenix settlement occupies the same place in India's national conciousness as 'Sabarmati and Sewagram.' It was here that the political and moral birth of Mahatma Gandhi took place. The Phoenix became the cradle of Ahimsa, non-violence and Sarvodaya.

Dr Singh and Mr Mbeki also attended the inaugural function of commemoration of the first Resistance Movement in South Africa against whites. The two leaders unveiled a plaque in presence of veteran Gandhian disciple Dr Fatima Meer.

Later Dr Singh also visited the Ohlange High School and Dube Memorial.

Referring to his visit to Resistance Monument at Umbilo Park this morning, the Prime Minister said, ''I could not but admire the courage of the brave men and women who gathered at the whites only park and defied injustice and violence with non-violent means.'' ''They proved that Satyagraha remained the golden path to follow even 40 years after its birth,'' Dr Singh added.

UNI