A protracted-awaited dream of getting the primary free-standing Gandhi Museum in North America, devoted to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace, is lastly a actuality and open for the general public within the US metropolis of Houston in Texas.

The Eternal Gandhi Museum is the one Gandhi-related Museum within the United States, devoted to Gandhi, to protect and promote his ever-lasting legacy of nonviolent battle decision.

The museum formally opened its doorways to the general public on August 15, however the Grand ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 2, the 154th delivery anniversary of Gandhi.

The outer partitions of the semi-circle-shaped museum depict varied peace activists together with Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Betty Williams, and extra. A statue of Gandhi stands in entrance of the museum.

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Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi and Martin Luther King’s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris Jr., CGI Houston D Manjunath, have been the particular visitors amongst a number of invited visitors Monday afternoon, to rejoice the grand opening of the Museum.

“EGMH will encourage humanity to get beyond hate, violence, and supremacy,” Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, mentioned.

“For a great many in the world, Gandhi and King are symbols of dignity, of peace, of equality.”

The 13,000 square-foot museum’s structure relies on Gandhi’s twenty-four-spoke Chakra spinning wheel which he used to hunt independence from colonial rule.

EGMH presents insights into completely different chapters of Gandhi’s life, together with his childhood in India, early maturity as a lawyer in Africa and adopted by the Satyagraha motion and nonviolent struggle for independence.

The interactive and fascinating reveals inform the story of Gandhi’s life and guests expertise it in three components: “His Journey,” “Our Journey” and “My Journey.”

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Isaac Newton Farris Jr., who flew in from Atlanta for the occasion, mentioned “This museum and the great Mahatma’s philosophy is desperately needed in America today, and so I certainly had to be part of this,” Farris mentioned.

“In recognition of the impact that the great Mahatma had on my uncle, my aunt, Coretta Scott King, established the Gandhi Room in the Martin Luther King Jr Freedom Center Hall building, where millions of tourists can view personal items that belong to the great Mahatma.”

US Representative Al Green, who has been an ideal supporter by serving to the EGMH board safe USD 3 million via the Community Project Funding to get the undertaking off the bottom, mentioned in a press release, “Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy remains deeply relevant in today’s world, where we face pressing global challenges.

From military conflicts to social injustice movements, his teachings offer guidance for peaceful solutions and social change.”

“EGMH will be a museum where people of all diverse backgrounds can come together and learn stories of leaders who made profound social changes, through peaceful means. The goal is to create a cultural and educational hub for Texas students in grades six-12 by offering curriculum-based tours, inspiring the next generation of leaders to advocate for peace and social justice.” Atul Kothari, its trustee and co-founder informed PTI in the course of the tour of the museum.

The exhibit area takes the customer via three distinct galleries:

Gallery One – His Journey: Learn in regards to the transformation of Mahatma Gandhi from a baby of concern to a person of freedom.

Gallery Two – Our Journey: Learn how international peace leaders have adopted into Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps to result in profound social change world wide. Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan, and others who used nonviolent battle decision of their work for social justice.

Gallery Three – My Journey: After studying about Mahatma Gandhi and international peace leaders, this gallery offers the customer with a spot to replicate and ponder.

It invitations the customer to make a private dedication to be a catalyst for optimistic adjustments in their very own lives and neighborhood – i.e.- “What is something you can do, large or small, that can make an impact on your own life and environment?” How are you able to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

EGMH began its journey in 2016 when Atul Kothari, returned from India with a suggestion from Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum in Delhi of Aditya Birla Group to host a travelling exhibit in Houston. The EGMH Board instantly agreed to host and set up a brand new civic asset – the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston.

The Houston Endowment Foundation offered USD 750,000 for the development of EGMH, which was adopted by Congressman Al Green, who sponsored a grant of USD 3 million below Community Project Funding of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

With the assistance of Fort Bend County Judge Okay P George, the Fort Bend County Commissioners accredited a grant of USD 475,000.

Dr Anne Chao, Chair of the Advisory Board, donated USD 500,000 via her varied foundations.

“To date, we have raised USD 8 million of the total construction budget of USD 10 million”, Kothari mentioned.

“The journey began with the selection of RDLR Architects and Lorie Westrick, the Principal of the firm. The Charkha, the spinning wheel, inspired her masterful museum design.

We engaged the services of Brian Crockett, a museum consultant with a Smithsonian background. EGMH selected Solid Light, Inc., Cynthia Torp, CEO, from Louisville, Kentucky as the exhibit designer, who planned, designed, fabricated, and installed all the museum galleries”.

To gain inspiration for the museum, the Board, Architect, and Solid Light went on a whirlwind tour to India in February 2020 visiting 6 different Gandhi museums in 4 different cities in 5 days.

Former Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, facilitated the donation of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue from the Government of India.

Sanjay Khanna of Superior Granite and Marble by Vivaldi was instrumental in producing the granite figures that are prominently embedded in the facade of the museum.

The museum builder, TDK Construction owned by Dhansukh (Dan) Khatri, and his daughter Tina, managed the entire construction from inception.

The exhibits at the museum were created by Solid Light, a firm known for its interactive multimedia experiences in schools, museums and other public places.

Most in this museum are presented in English, Spanish and Hindi. Kothari and his team hope that by the time they finish the tour, visitors will make a commitment to being part of some sort of change.

Inside, visitors learn about others who effected change peaceably: Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, American labour leader Cesar Chavez, Native American activist Wilma Mankiller and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai.

There’s a small theatre, called “A Force More Powerful,” where up to 20 people at a time can sit and watch a seven-minute film about Gandhi.

They’re developing a curriculum that’s compatible with state educational guidelines and working with

The museum has a state-of-the-art auditorium which is available for birthdays, anniversaries, conferences, performances, and other celebrations. The auditorium can accommodate up to 108 people.

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