A statue in commemoration of the life of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at Carleton University on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 on the occasion of the celebration of Ghandi Jayanti, Gandhi’s birthday. The special event included a scholarly lecture and a cultural program of performance and art.
The statue was unveiled by S.M. Gavai, High Commissioner of India; Dr. Jag Humar, president of the Mahatma Gandhi Society of Ottawa; Dr. Pradeep Merchant, chairman of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber and representatives from Carleton’s Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy. It is located in front of Carleton’s new River Building, which will permanently house the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.
The festivities included a keynote lecture from Carleton’s Noel Salmond entitled Encountering Gandhi on the Rideau River, a dance performance and an exhibition of drawings by Montreal artist Suraj Sadan.
The High Commission emphasized the growing importance of India-Canada relations and noted that the event coincided nicely with the Year of India in Canada.
Carleton President Roseann O’Reilly Runte said the location of the statue, in front of a building dedicated to international programs and home of the Canada-India Centre was appropriate in light of Gandhi’s message that we must be open to the ideas of the world.
Background:
Canada and India share a strong commitment to education, the environment, health and science. Both view technology as a means to solve problems and to advance economic development. Celebrating these common goals and the mutual desire to build trade partnerships and scientific and cultural links, Carleton University has established, in collaboration with the India High Commission and community members, the Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.
The centre is bringing together key members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide cutting-edge research, analysis, training and exchanges.
In addition to partnering on bilateral research and policy, scholars and members of the Indo-Canadian diaspora are working in close collaboration with universities and businesses in India and Canada. Details about Carleton’s India connections are available at: http://www.carleton.ca/india.
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For more information:
Chris Cline
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca
Monday, October 3, 2011 in News Releases
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