The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan, Mbeki stress on Gandhian values in age of violent conflicts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006
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Manmohan, Mbeki stress on Gandhian values in age of violent conflicts

Harish Khare

Satyagraha Centenary Commemoration celebrations begin in South Africa

Durban: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday in formally launching the Satyagraha Centenary Commemoration celebrations at a colourful ceremony here.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of Gandhian values in this age of violent conflicts.

"In remembering Satyagraha, we pay homage to the Mahatma. And in honouring the Mahatma, we honour South Africa. It is here that he found the strength, developed the ideas and forged the tools used to resist racial discrimination here, and win Independence at home in India," said Dr. Singh at a joint rally at the Kingsmead Sahara Stadium.

Commonality

A commonality between the two countries in the past struggles against the colonial order through Gandhian values and inspirations has been the dominant theme in the rhetoric and drama enacted in connection with the Satyagraha commemoration ceremonies over the last two days. This similar past is deemed to be a guide for the current ties.

The two leaders made their joint appearance at the rally, billed to celebrate two heroes, Mahatma Gandhi and Inkosi Bhambatha, hero of a Zulu rebellion in 1906.

Mr. Mbeki acknowledged the Mahatma's role in South Africa's emancipation: "Together with the masses of our people, I am proud to say that, among others, Mahatma Gandhi, the great native son of India and, at the same time a beloved son of South Africa as well, provided the unparalleled leadership and example that inspired the triumphant march to freedom and democracy both in India in 1947 and in South Africa in 1994."

Birth of Satyagraha

Both leaders recalled the birth of Satyagraha, when Gandhiji had convened a protest meeting in Johannesburg in September 1906 to raise voice against the promulgation of the Asiatic Bill and the Transvaal Asiatic Registration Act, which had made registration of all Indians compulsory and had categorised them as a separate racial group.

Dr. Singh saw continued relevance of the philosophy and ideas of Satyagraha in this presumed age of "clash of civilisations." Dr. Singh said that "Gandhiji's message would have been that it is indeed possible for us to work for the `confluence of civilisations.' Through the institutions of a pluralist democracy and the processes of inclusive development we can make our world safer for peace, equality and freedom." For Mr. Mbeki, the Gandhi quest for satyagraha must "inspire the building of modern human society."

The highlight of the ceremony was a musical tribute to the Mahatma by sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who played Gandhiji's two favourite hymns, "Vaishnav jaan ko..." and Raghupati raghav raja ram... ".

Earlier, the Nateshwar Dance Academy troupe performed Indian (including a Rang de Basanti number) and Zulu dances, a fusion of Indian and tribal dances and music, and a solo performance by Bharatnatyam danseuse Urmila Satyanarayan.

The afternoon that began with an inter-faith prayer and a peace ceremony ended with Amjad Ali Khan's soulful rendition.

Meagre attendance

However, much to the regret of the Indian delegation, the attendance at the Kingsmead Stadium was embarrassingly meagre. And, there was embarrassment for the host. Noisy supporters of Jacob Zuma, estranged former deputy president to Mr. Mbeki, had to be ejected from the stadium. Mr. Zuma was sacked by Mr. Mbeki on suspicion of corruption last year. The Zuma supporters were singing his resistance day song, awuleth' umshini wami (bring me my machine gun).

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