Spectacular celebrations took place in Cardiff for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
The official Indian government event was held at Cardiff City Hall and there were projections and lights around the building to illuminate it in the colours of the Indian Tiranga flag - saffron, white and green.
Over 400 people attended the sell out event. There were performances of traditional Indian music and dancing, as well as expert guest speakers on Gandhi’s life and legacy.
Several dignitaries from Wales attended as well as leaders of the British Indian community in Wales.
The event was organised by Raj Aggarwal the Honorary Consul for India in Wales.
Raj Aggarwal said: “This is a major celebration for a man that the whole world recognises as a great leader and wise soul. Mahatma Gandhi not only left a legacy of freedom to India but also a message of one of non-violence, religious pluralism and tolerance of all peoples, races and creeds.
“In these days when sustainability and the environment are at the forefront of our minds it’s important to point out that Gandhi lived by the principles of a cleaner less wasteful life way before it was a mainstream issue.”
At the event there was music led by members of the Ty Krishna temple in Cardiff Bay, as well as performances by the Ty Krishna temple in London who had come down specially for the event.
There was also a memorial guest lecture by Shaunaka Risha Das, the Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and a response from James Hegarty Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at Cardiff University Following that there was a speech by Deputy Welsh Minister Jane Hutt and a speech by MP Eluned Morgan.
There was also a dramatic performance by ISCKON London Radna-Krisha Temple and a recital by the students of the Cardiff Cathedral School choir who sang the Indian national anthem in hindi and the Welsh national anthem in Welsh.
Other guests included Brigadier Graeme "Jock" Fraser, Cardiff Lord Mayor Daniel De'Ath, and Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith
Mohandas K Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in present day Gujurat, India, he was later given the name Mahatma “venerable” and he led India to independence through a non-violent civil rights movement. Gandhi’s birthday is commemorated in India as a national holiday Gandhi Jayanti and worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence.
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