The Indian Navy’s frontline warship, INS Trishul, is set to visit Durban, South Africa, to commemorate the 130th anniversary of an incident that took place on June 7, 1893, at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station. This incident played a pivotal role in Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against racial oppression and the birth of Satyagraha. Additionally, India and South Africa are jointly celebrating 30 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations. This essay explores the significance of Gandhi’s Satyagraha, highlights his activities in South Africa, sheds light on INS Trishul, and discusses the India-South Africa relations.
Gandhiji and the Satyagraha:
In 1893, Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Durban, South Africa, to serve as legal counsel to the merchant Dada Abdulla. On June 7, 1893, while travelling by train to Pretoria, Gandhi was unjustly thrown out of the train despite holding a first-class ticket.
This incident, where an Indian was removed from the train due to a white man’s complaint, became the trigger for Gandhi’s fight against racial oppression and led to the birth of Satyagraha. In response, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, an organization that led non-violent protests against the mistreatment of native Africans and Indians by white individuals. For his efforts, Gandhi was posthumously conferred with the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg.
Other activities of Gandhi in South Africa:
During his time in South Africa, Gandhi engaged in various activities aimed at promoting justice and equality. In 1896, he returned to India temporarily and gathered 800 Indians to join him in South Africa. When the Boer War broke out in 1899, Gandhi organized the Indian Ambulance Corps for the British, but ethnic discrimination and torture against Indians persisted. Inspired by English artist John Ruskin’s book “Unto This Last,” Gandhi established Phoenix Farm near Durban, where he trained his followers in non-violent Satyagraha.
Phoenix Farm is considered the birthplace of Satyagraha. Gandhi further refined the concept of Satyagraha at the Tolstoy Farm, his second camp in South Africa. He organized several Satyagraha campaigns, including protests against discriminatory laws and the mistreatment of Indian miners.
INS Trishul:
INS Trishul is a guided missile frigate and the second vessel of the Talwar class in the Indian Navy. It was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2003. As part of the commemoration of 130 years of Gandhi’s Satyagraha, INS Trishul will visit Durban, symbolizing the strong bond between India and South Africa.
India-South Africa Relations:
The restoration of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa after a gap of over four decades marked an important milestone. In 1993, a Cultural Centre was established in Johannesburg, and the Indian High Commission in Pretoria was opened in 1994. South Africa reciprocated by establishing its High Commission in Delhi and a Consulate General in Mumbai. Both countries solidified their partnership through a strategic alliance in March 1997. Defense cooperation between India and South Africa officially began in 1996, and joint military exercises, such as IBSAMAR and Navika Sagar Parikrama, have strengthened the bilateral ties.
Trade:
Exports from India to South Africa include vehicles and components, transport equipment, drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, footwear, dyes and intermediates, chemicals, textiles, rice, gems and jewellery, and more.
Imports to India from South Africa consist of gold, steam coal, copper ores & concentrates, phosphoric acid, manganese ore, aluminium ingots, and other minerals.
Indian Community:
The South African Indian origin community comprises approximately 1 million individuals, accounting for about 3% of South Africa’s total population.
Approximately 80% of the Indian community resides in the province of KwaZulu Natal, around 15% in the Gauteng (formerly Transvaal) area, and the remaining 5% in Cape Town.
In 2014, the world marked the centennial of Gandhiji’s final departure from South Africa to India. He arrived in India on January 9, 1915, and this date is now commemorated annually as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.
Important Points:
- Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival in Durban, South Africa, in 1893 🚂
- Gandhi’s unjust expulsion from the train despite having a first-class ticket 🚫🎟️
- Birth of Satyagraha as a response to racial oppression ✊🏾
- Formation of the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 🤝🌍
- Gandhi’s activities in South Africa:
- Gathering Indians to serve in South Africa 🙋♂️🌍
- Organizing the Indian Ambulance Corps during the Boer War ⚕️🌍
- Establishment of Phoenix Farm as the birthplace of Satyagraha 🏞️🌍
- Refining Satyagraha at Tolstoy Farm 🛠️🌍
- Various Satyagraha campaigns against discriminatory laws and mistreatment 📢✊🏽🌍
- INS Trishul’s visit to Durban to commemorate 130 years of Satyagraha ⚓🇮🇳🇿🇦
- India-South Africa relations:
- Restoration of diplomatic relations after four decades 🤝🌍
- Establishment of cultural centers and diplomatic missions 🏛️🇮🇳🇿🇦
- Strategic partnership and defense cooperation 🤝🛡️
- Joint military exercises (IBSAMAR, Navika Sagar Parikrama) 🤝💂♂️⚓
- Flourishing trade between India and South Africa 📊💼🌍
- Significance of the Indian community in South Africa 🇮🇳🌍
- Commemoration of Gandhi’s final departure from South Africa 🎉✈️
Why In News
The Indian Navy will proudly commemorate the historic milestone of 130 years since Gandhi’s iconic Satyagraha movement in Durban.Through various events and activities, the Indian Navy aims to honor Gandhi’s legacy and his significant role in promoting non-violence and civil rights during his time in Durban.
MCQs about 130 Years of Gandhi’s Satyagraha
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What incident in South Africa triggered Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against racial oppression and led to the birth of Satyagraha?
A. Gandhi’s arrival in Durban
B. Formation of the Natal Indian Congress
C. Gandhi’s expulsion from the train despite having a first-class ticket
D. Gandhi’s activities during the Boer War
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Where is the birthplace of Satyagraha, where Mahatma Gandhi trained his followers in non-violent resistance?
A. Johannesburg
B. Phoenix Farm
C. Pretoria
D. Tolstoy Farm
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What is the purpose of INS Trishul’s visit to Durban?
A. To celebrate India-South Africa diplomatic relations
B. To commemorate 130 years of Gandhi’s Satyagraha
C. To conduct joint military exercises
D. To strengthen trade ties between India and South Africa
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Where did Mahatma Gandhi establish his second camp in South Africa, where Satyagraha was molded into a weapon of protest?
A. Johannesburg
B. Phoenix Farm
C. Pretoria
D. Tolstoy Farm
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