The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi is to give a lecture in Hull to mark his grandfather’s 150th birthday.
Gopal Gandhi is a former IAS officer and diplomat who was the 23rd Governor of West Bengal, serving from 2004 to 2009.
As an IAS officer, he served as Secretary to the President of India and as High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka, among other administrative and diplomatic posts.
In October last year, a bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Hull’s Mandela Gardens.
Gopal Gandhi will speaking at a dinner at the Guildhall in Hull on Saturday 1 June, by invitation of the Mahatma Ghandi Memorial Committee of Hull.
The bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Mandela Gardens.
Councillor Dave Craker, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “Mahatma Gandhi remains one of the most important and influential figures around the world.
“Hull has a long history of being a city that, like Gandhi, promotes and fights for freedom and civil liberties, so it’s fantastic that we are able to welcome his grandson, Gopal Gandhi, this summer to celebrate his grandfather’s 150th birthday.”
Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Nita Sodha, vice-chair of the Mahatma Ghandi Memorial Committee, said: ‘We are immensely excited to have Gopal Ghandi deliver the Mahatma Ghandi lecture in Hull at the Guildhall, this is truly an historic event for the city and something we can all celebrate.”
Tickets for the event cost £30, which includes dinner. The event starts at 6pm.
For more information, contact Nita Sodha on 07855 959072 or nitasodha@aol.com
