History
The Gandhi Foundation of USA was founded on October 26, 1997 in preparation of the installation and dedication (Jan 24, 1998) of the Statue of the Mahatma Gandhi at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. The purpose of the Foundation was to focus entirely on the philosophies of Gandhi and King, thus establishing a meaningful continuity in honoring both Gandhi and King beyond the dedication of the Statue.
Tribute to Gandhi at King Center was initiated in 1983 in Atlanta by the Indian American Cultural Association,IACA. Subsequently, the concept of a memorial honoring Mahatma Gandhi in Atlanta began in 1987 when a Gandhi Room was refurbished at the King Center in joint venture with the Embassy of India, Mrs. Coretta Scott King and the Indian American Cultural Association (IACA). Subsequently, in 1992, The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) as part of its 7th Biennial Convention in Atlanta, initiated renaming Hogue Street as Gandhi Street across Dr. King’s Birth home in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic district. The NFIA initiative was supported by the Indian American communities, Mayor Late Maynard Jackson, Former Councilman Bill Campbell (past Mayor), late Mrs. Coretta Scott King of the King Center, the Georgia Human Relations Commission (Georgia Governor’s office) Dr. Joy Berry and many ranking community leaders and community organizations! While the initiative of renaming of the street did not materialize, The NFIA efforts for a befitting memorial for Gandhi continued with support from Mayor Maynard Jackson, Mrs. King, the NPS, Embassy of India, and the various community organizations.
The cooperative efforts were rewarded and resulted in the inauguration and dedication of the Statue of the Mahatma Gandhi in the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on the morning of January 24, 1998 by dignitaries, Honorable Andrew Young, Ambassador of India Naresh Chandra, Prime Minister of India, I. K. Gujral’s son Vishal Gujral, and the community leaders. Statue installation strengthened the opportunity for GFUSA to carry out important activities on peace and nonviolence in collaboration with the King Center and The National Park Services (NPS). A significant historic milestone indeed!
A Banquet celebrating this historic event was also organized at Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel the same evening with many dignitaries in attendance. This Gandhi Statue is the first of Mahatma Gandhi in a U.S. Federal Park.
Subsequently, in 2008, The Board of the GFUSA approved the formation of Gandhi Institute as an educational arm of GFUSA!
Tribute to Gandhi at King Center was initiated in 1983 in Atlanta by the Indian American Cultural Association,IACA. Subsequently, the concept of a memorial honoring Mahatma Gandhi in Atlanta began in 1987 when a Gandhi Room was refurbished at the King Center in joint venture with the Embassy of India, Mrs. Coretta Scott King and the Indian American Cultural Association (IACA). Subsequently, in 1992, The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) as part of its 7th Biennial Convention in Atlanta, initiated renaming Hogue Street as Gandhi Street across Dr. King’s Birth home in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic district. The NFIA initiative was supported by the Indian American communities, Mayor Late Maynard Jackson, Former Councilman Bill Campbell (past Mayor), late Mrs. Coretta Scott King of the King Center, the Georgia Human Relations Commission (Georgia Governor’s office) Dr. Joy Berry and many ranking community leaders and community organizations! While the initiative of renaming of the street did not materialize, The NFIA efforts for a befitting memorial for Gandhi continued with support from Mayor Maynard Jackson, Mrs. King, the NPS, Embassy of India, and the various community organizations.
The cooperative efforts were rewarded and resulted in the inauguration and dedication of the Statue of the Mahatma Gandhi in the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on the morning of January 24, 1998 by dignitaries, Honorable Andrew Young, Ambassador of India Naresh Chandra, Prime Minister of India, I. K. Gujral’s son Vishal Gujral, and the community leaders. Statue installation strengthened the opportunity for GFUSA to carry out important activities on peace and nonviolence in collaboration with the King Center and The National Park Services (NPS). A significant historic milestone indeed!
A Banquet celebrating this historic event was also organized at Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel the same evening with many dignitaries in attendance. This Gandhi Statue is the first of Mahatma Gandhi in a U.S. Federal Park.
Subsequently, in 2008, The Board of the GFUSA approved the formation of Gandhi Institute as an educational arm of GFUSA!
Statue in Atlanta
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Statue in Atlanta
‘ The Mahatma ‘
(1869 – 1948)
Donated by ICCR, GOI
Sculpted by: Padma Shri Ram Sutar
Dedicated on January 24, 1998
By : Honorable Andrew Young
The Team Receiving delivery of The Gandhi Status with NPS Superintendent Troy Lissimore