While
majority of visitors on safari to Jinja think it is only about them engaging in
breathtaking adventures at the Source of the Nile, perhaps most of them have
missed something incredible and none other than the Mahatma Gandhi shrine.
Based on his wishes, at a time he passed on around 1948, his ashes were
separated and scattered in most parts of the mighty River Nile in Uganda. To commemorate
his life, there was need to set up a monument and this came into fulfillment an
idea that was invented by the Indian community in Uganda and that of the Indian
government. The site has for long been maintained by Bank of Baroda an Indian owned
bank in this area. It is representation of his influential work while in Africa
and his decision to have part of his ashes spread in the Nile at a time. He
played a significant role towards spreading message about peace across the globe
and also the virtues of non violence influenced leaders for instance Nelson
Mandela and many others.
He
spent about 21 years of his illustrious career in this continent where he led
the rights of the downtrodden and marginalized communities. He wished his ashes
to be spread in the Nile which indeed happened and probably to cement the ever
lasting relationship with Africa which impacted on his career. Today, this
memorial site is visited by both nationals and the Indians. However, there are
also plans to establish the Gandhi heritage center. Its establishment led to increase in
a number of unique and exceptional tourist sites in this area making it perfect
for one to spend a holiday.
This
memorial site lies in Jinja, Hindu temple along Bell Avenue just in the western
side. It features a full figure statue of Gandhi while holding a stick in the
right hand and a book in the left while tracing his popularly simple traditional
Indian dhoti and shawl. This stunning site stands along the raised red brick
pedestal that indicates Gandhi probably taking a step. Its dark monochromic
rendering offers this work peace and simple viewing point.
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