The Indian High Commission in Malawi has today unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Chancellery’s office in Lilongwe.

The unveiling comes on the birthday of the revered political leader who was born on 2nd October 1869.

Initially, Gandhi’s bust was supposed to be erected in Blantyre but the #GandhiMustFall protests and subsequent injunction stopped the erection of the statue in Blantyre.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Eisenhower Mkaka hailed Gandhi as “an icon.”

“At the outset, let me begin by underlining the fact that Mahatma Gandhi, who led India’s freedom movement through non-violent struggle, is not only an icon for India but also a global icon that set the ball rolling for emancipation from the colonial struggle,” he said.

Indian High Commissioner to Malawi Anurag Bhushan said “Gandhi made his mark in Africa and gave a message that it is possible to defeat colonialism without violence.”