Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a plaque on June 2, 2018, at Clifford Pier, commemorating the ceremonial scattering of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi on March 28, 1948, at the site.
Speaking exclusively to Connected to India, Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of the foreign affairs cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised the Indian High Commission in Singapore for making it happen. He said, “Mahatma Gandhi is a global figure. Everyone is inspired by his life.”
He added that PM Narendra Modi sees this as an opportunity to connect with the diaspora as well as citizens of foreign nations.
On March 28, 1948, the day ashes were scattered, thousands, including Indians, Chinese, Malays and Europeans flocked to the Victoria Memorial Hall to pay silent homage before the urn, which contained his ashes. The then British Governor of Singapore, Franklin Gimson, also stood with bowed head before the urn.
In addition to this, representatives of various religions in Singapore performed prayers before the urn containing Gandhiji’s ashes. The Hindu Ramakrishna Mission, the Church of England, the Sikh Gurdwara and the Singapore Buddhist Association held prayer meetings in the hall and sand sacred songs from Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Sikh scriptures.