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Johannesburg: Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Trishul has reached the port of Durban on a three-day goodwill visit. The warship is on a visit to Durban to mark 30 years of the restoration of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa and 130 years since Mahatma Gandhi was deboarded from the train at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station in South Africa . It was only after this incident that Gandhiji launched a campaign against racial discrimination.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, “Gandhi had arrived in Durban in 1893 to work as a legal advisor to the merchant Dada Abdullah. On 7 June 1893, during a visit to Pretoria in the Transvaal, he first arrived at Pietermaritzburg station.”
The statement said, “After purchasing the ticket, Gandhi was seated in the first class compartment, but he was thrown out of the compartment at the behest of a European passenger, who according to him was ‘coolie’ and black people in the first class compartment.” I was not allowed to travel.
INS Trishul’s visit to Durban is also a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a celebration of 75 years of India’s independence.
Dr. Thelma David, Consul General of India in Durban, said, “The ship’s band will play some of Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite hymns at an event in Pietermaritzburg. Members of the band will also lay a wreath at the station where Gandhi was pulled out of the train.”
He told, “Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (an Indian sociologist and social entrepreneur) will also participate in the program. He will also share ideas about spreading Gandhian ideas through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.”
According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, “INS Trishul will be on a visit to Durban from June 6 to 9 to mark the completion of 130 years of the 1893 incident at Pietermaritzburg as well as 30 years of the restoration of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa.” INS Trishul is undertaking this journey on the occasion of completion of the year.”
INS Trishul will also take part in some programs like ‘Retreat’ ceremony and ‘Unity Walk’ there before departure from Durban on June 9.
