Indian Independence Day celebrations [15/08/2024], Organised by IHC UK at Llanishen Baptist Church, Llanishen, Cardiff, on 3rd August 2024.
Recently the Indian Heritage Centre, Cardiff Branch celebrated the 77th anniversary of Indian independence. On this occasion, the main speaker Dr Padma Anagol, Reader in Modern Indian History, Cardiff University, gave an insightful talk on Gandhi and the Indian people’s participation in the freedom struggle. After this talk, Ms. Prith B, a visual feminist artist from Cardiff shared the stories that paintings tell by focusing on pre- and post-independence Indian women’s portraits.
Mrs Tripti Megeri, CEO of IHC opened the event with a welcome speech. The speakers were
introduced by Ms. Shivani Kothegal. Dr Girish, an excellent multilingual singer sang
mesmerising, patriotic songs.
Adv Tripti Megeri, CEO of IHCU opened the event with a welcome speech. The speakers were introduced by Ms. Shivani Kothegal. Dr. Girish energised the event with mesmerising, patriotic songs. Dr G Kothegal gave the vote of thanks acknowledging the contributions of all volunteers, attendees, and the organisers, and spoke about the usefulness of such events in fostering amity, cooperation, and awareness amongst BAME and other communities in Wales. The event was attended by the officers of the Royal Navy and South Wales Police. Lieutenant Commander Suzanne Lynch and PCSO Paulina Karcocha of South Wales Police appreciated IHC’s efforts in bringing the communities together.
The event began with Dr Anagol challenging the Raj’s supremely confident belief that there was ‘no nation in India’ and that there never
would be such a feeling of ‘oneness as a nation’ (Sir Strachey, 1880) which was followed by outlining the rise of economic nationalism among early congressmen known as ‘moderates’ in India and how Indian poverty was linked to its political dependence on Britain. The themes covered were Gandhi’s key principles and his rise to success through mobilisation of the masses. Talking to other members who attended the event, especially guests unfamiliar with details of Gandhi’s leadership, many of them were positive about the experience of listening to a learned talk. Many said that they learned about his style of campaigning, his astute statesmanship, and how he brought women into the movement to encourage women’s participation in the political self-determination struggle. In the wake of Dr Anagol’s engaging presentation, Ms. Prith B delivered a fascinating talk on her findings surrounding the stories that she uncovered through pre- and post-Independence Indian women’s portraits. A variety of paintings were brought to the event where the speaker unraveled the significance of several incredible Indian women from history. A beautiful portrait of Sarojini Naidu, an Indian political activist and poet, was one of many, which demonstrated her role in the Indian Independence movement against the British Raj. Naidu played a pivotal role in motivating other women to resist British rule through her poetry.
As a doctoral student of the Department of History at Cardiff and having completed my undergraduate and postgraduate degree in History, I had learned about Gandhi and the freedom movement, but the details of his funding strategies; his reach as a global leader for peace studies are issues that gain ground in an urgent way in today’s strife-ridden world. The visual treat provided by the artist Prith was also befitting our present-day concerns of women’s upliftment which had started rigorously during the nationalist movement.
A pioneering organisation, the Indian Heritage Centre, Cardiff made a soft launch in October 2023. The Indian Heritage Centre believes in the principle ‘VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM’- a Sanskrit phrase found in Hindu texts which means ‘THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY’. Its objectives include promoting social cohesion and inclusion by alleviating isolation and social exclusion, fostering cultural awareness at the grassroots level, and supporting the anti-racist Wales action plan of the Welsh government. Creating awareness and encouraging participation of the people from all walks of life are IHCUK’s core objectives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Miss Megan Cook recently completed an MA in History at Cardiff
University. She is now a doctoral student at the Department of History at Cardiff University under the supervision of Dr Padma Anagol. She works on Welsh women’s roles and influence in colonial India. You can contact her via email at megangrace100@gmail.com.
