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Ambassador's speech on unveiling of the plaque “Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle”

Posted on: March 16, 2022 | Back | Print


Excellency, (Naina Andriantsitohaina, Hon’ble Mayor of Antananarivo)

Excellencies Ambassadors and the Head of the International Organisations

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Government,

Dear members of the diplomatic corps and members of Indian Diaspora, 

Honorable guests,

I would like to welcome you all today on this special occasion. It gives me immense pleasure to unveil this plaque that carries an inscription in memory of the Father of Our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

The Government of India has launched an initiative: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India. Mahatma Gandhi, fondly called ‘Bapu’ (father), was born on 2nd October 1869 in the Indian state of Gujarat. He was the greatest pravasi who returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever. Today, there are about 17 500 persons of Indian origin in Madagascar with most of them having roots in the state of Gujarat. 
 
I would like to recall that as a part of the celebrations of 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a commemorative stamp on Mahatma Gandhi was issued by Madagascar Post on 2nd October 2019, which was unveiled by H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar.  
 
The Embassy of India in collaboration with the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo has also organized an event in 2019 for the inauguration of the commemorative plaque on Mahatma Gandhi Road. The road was named after Mahatma Gandhi in 1969. I consider today’s unveiling of the plaque as a crucial addition to our relationship with Urban Municipality of Antananarivo.       
 
Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote, “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs but not every man’s greed” highlights his vision and philosophy when it comes to reducing consumerism, respecting nature and aiming for sustainable development. The word green in the plaque signifies our commitment to sustainable development and saving the environment. I feel proud to say that in line of this, the Embassy became the first Indian Embassy to go solar and switched to green energy with the inauguration of a 8kW Solar Power Plant on 2 October 2020. 
 
Since this area is a booming commercial spot and also hosts a large number of Indian outlets, the naming of this park as Mahatma Gandhi Green Triangle is an apt tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi. I believe it will bring the Indian Diaspora in Madagascar closer to India and will raise awareness among the people about Mahatma Gandhi and the values of peace and non-violence he stood for. 


Excellency, Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for your presence here today.
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