Remembering Mahatma Gandhi
by Nillasi Liyanage
‘Raj Ghat’ is a very special
place in the city of Delhi. The memorial monument of Mahatma Gandhi, the
pioneer of India’s freedom struggle is housed there. On January 31, 1948
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in this well maintained garden beside the
River Yamuna. The huge trees and green grass lawns add a feeling of
serenity to Raj Ghat.
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Wax figures of Mahatma
and Kasturba Gandhi at Birla House |
It is not a huge edifice that stands in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, but
a simple black marble platform, which radiates the simplicity of this
great man. This platform, open to the air carries the words ‘Hare Rama’
the last words of Mahatma. Indians and foreigners alike, place flowers
at the monument and pay respect through maintaining complete silence.
‘The Eternal Flame’ shines throughout the year beside the monument and
provides guidance to th
ousands.
The Birla House which is now known as the ‘Gandhi Smriti’, also
situated in Delhi is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It was in
this house that Mahatma lived the last 144 days of his life. Today the
house carries information about Mahatma and his great deeds.
Upon entering the Birla House the visitor can see the ‘worldly
remains’ of Mahatma among which are a walking stick, a spoon and a pair
of spectacles. Newspaper reports, photos and eyewitness accounts of
mahatma’s assassination are displayed there and recreates vividly that
fateful day.
In a special room, wax figures of Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi sit on
the floor cross legged. It is almost as if they are alive. The dim
lighting in the room creates an ethereal feeling and takes the visitor
by surprise when he first enters. A documentary compiled about the last
20 minutes of Mahatma’s life is shown to the visitors as well. Many
photos show the success achieved by the self employment programmes
launched by the Father of the Nation to empower the rural Indian
villager.
Birla House also houses many multimedia creations done in honour of
Mahatma. There are even musical instruments and designs woven on cloth
among these for which inspiration had been drawn from Mahatma himself.
Another remarkable fact about this museum is that the visitors are all
shown around by volunteers. Dressed in white, simple clothes they
explain about the creations on exhibit. In this museum where silence is
appreciated, their voices do not disturb the silence but mingles with
it.
Starting from the Birla House, the final footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi
are marked in cement for the visitors to see. The steps show the way to
the place Mahatma went everyday, with his followers for worship. It is
there that Mahatma was shot by an extremist, on the January 30, 1948.
The exact spot where Mahatma fell is marked with a simple monument known
as ‘The Martyr’s Column’. The words ‘Hare Rama’ are written there too.
Many seek happiness, only a handful finds it. Even 62 years after his
death so many followers look unto Mahatma in appreciation and keep alive
his great deeds of compassion, thus finding happiness. It should be
remembered that Mahatma was among the few who could define happiness.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are
in harmony.” |
