Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jason Morris | Ela Gandhi (center left) lays a ceremonial candle at sea following the dispersal of...... read more read more
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DURBAN, South Africa — The U.S. Navy had the unique opportunity to participate in a historic burial-at-sea ceremony in honor of Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi aboard the South African Navy in-shore patrol vessel SAS Tekwani here, Jan. 30.
Capt. James Tranoris, commander, Task Force 363, was invited and came aboard Tekwani to observe this historic event as the senior United States representative.
After his death in 1948, Gandhi's ashes were divided and sent in urns across the globe, a portion ending here in South Africa. A friend of the Gandhi family preserved the ashes for 62 years and recently passed them on to Ela Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter. Today marks the 62nd anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and Ela Gandhi asked the South African Navy to assist in the spreading of her grandfather's ashes out at sea.
"Today, as my grandfather's ashes went into the sea, I know I cannot claim him to be just my grandfather when he is the father of this nation and many others," said Ela Gandhi. "If we remember what happened 62 years ago today, we learn from it and remember what he stood for, we will all be better for it."
The burial at sea follows an interfaith, all night vigil held at Phoenix Settlement, which Gandhi established north of Durban during his 21 years in South Africa. Immediately following the burial, civilian and military leaders gathered with the Gandhi family and friends for a short presentation ceremony.
"I am inspired and honored to be here today. Mahatma Gandhi is an icon of peace to the entire world. All generations continue to learn about the teachings of this great man and I look forward to telling my children of this day," said Tranoris.
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India's independence and pioneer of the philosophy of Satyagraha (passive resistance), was born Oct. 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. While originally traveling to South Africa for legal work, he ended up staying for 21 years, working to secure rights for Indian people. He is best known for developing a method of action based upon the principles of nonviolence called Satyagraha. After returning to India, Mahatma Gandhi became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement and was instrumental in the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. On Jan. 30, 1948, he was assassinated.
"It was 62 years ago he lived and died. 62 years later, we have the privilege to see his teachings still at work in our daily lives. So few in history have accomplished so much," said the Acting Premier Willis Mchunu, KwaZulu Natal's provincial leader. "His spirit lives on with us. While we dispose of Gandhi's remains today, his soul will remain on the shores of South Africa and with its people. From his teachings, we strive to be the ambassadors of peace, of love, and to embrace all cultures and share in our daily lives."
Also being conducted today is a two-minute moment of silence in the nation of India. Over 1 billion people will stop and pay their respects in honor of this great man.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2010 09:55 |
| Story ID: | 44723 |
| Location: | DURBAN, ZA |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
This work, U.S. Navy Observes Burial At Sea of Historic Hero, by CPO Jason Morris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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