Gandhi wing mooted at Trinidad’s National Library

Port-of-SPAIN - The Indian High Commission has proposed that a Mahatma Gandhi section be established at the National Library here.

“The high commission is willing to provide additional books, documentaries, papers to enrichen the library on the works, philosophy and writings of Gandhi,” said Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra at the presentation of over 100 books to Minister of Information Neil Parsanlal.

Mishra said the collection represented not only ideas but “a summation of ideas on Gandhi’s views of almost every subject in the world”. Some of the books were penned by Gandhi himself.

The books presented by Mishra included a wide range of Indian and international authors.

Mishra was speaking at the programme to mark the 62nd death anniversary of Gandhi who was assassinated Jan 30, 1948.

The envoy offered to assist in the establishment of the Gandhi wing at the library and said that the high commission was prepared to donate the books.

Parsanlal spoke of the high regard the world has for Gandhi, a simple lawyer who led the Indian people to freedom.

Parsanlal said: “His (Gandhi’s) works are emulatory from which all can draw lessons.”

He spoke of the presence of the people of Indian origins who came here between 1845 and 1917.

This country’s Indian population forming about 44 percent of the country’s population of 1.3 million people. Some 145,000 Indians came to work on the sugar plantations.

Parsanlal said: “Gandhi’s works in India has had a tremendous impact on the Indian people and for young politicians everywhere. He united the people of India.”

A series of cultural activities were held and floral tributes were offered at Gandhi’s statue at Kew Place by Mishra, Parsanlal and Port-of-Spain mayor Alderman Murchinson Brown.

A similar tribute was paid to Gandhi in Gandhi Village located at Debe in south Trinidad.