"My life is my message."
Mahatma Gandhi
From inside the bus we could have a clear view of what was going on in the crowded streets and pavements of New Delhi with street workers and vendors actively working on what looked like a myriad of colours, noises, textures and even smells ...
We would undoubtedly be exposed to that bustling type of life later in the circuit and I just wondered how many of us were prepared for that ...
We then headed to the Raj Glat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, marking the spot where he was cremated on January 1948, a day after his assassination. The whole ensemble was impressive because of the simplicity it displayed, said to reflect the simplicity of his life.
In an ever growing epoch of political turmoil, it made me reflect upon such a great leader, whose philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience touched so many.
As we walked in a group of school children caught our attention and it suddenly sounded right to raise those youngsters' awareness for the meaning and importance of such a place. I just wished for a brief moment that our school's curricula also included visits to important Monuments of our past history.
We then visited the area where the India Gate stands. Having been inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, this Gate was built in 1931 and it has since then become the site of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial Monument for the Indian soldiers killed in World War I and the Afghan Wars.
India Gate Canopy
Flags of the three Armed Forces of India blowing in the slight wind
(to be continued)
Just marvelous!!
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