India Association Unveils Gandhi Statue at Pinewood’s Liberty Garden
August 22, 2012
SUMMERVILLE, SC – August 21, 2012 – Pinewood Preparatory School and the India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC) announce the unveiling of a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi into the Frances Suddeth Josephson Liberty Garden on the school’s campus on Aug. 25.
The members of IAGC have spearheaded the project by raising the necessary funds, traveling to India to commission the services of a renowed sculptor and handling its transportation and installation.
The Mahatma Gandhi bust at Pinewood Preparatory is the first one of its kind in the entire state of South Carolina. India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC) is very proud of this significant milestone,” said Dr. Joyce Menon, President of IAGC. “We consider the Liberty Garden at Pinewood Preparatory school to be an ideal spot to place Mahatma Gandhi’s bust since it signifies the importance of his teachings on several world leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Dalai Lama.”
The India Association of Greater Charleston was started in 1984 by residents of Charleston of Indian descent. They felt that an organization needed to be formed consisting of those with an interest in the culture and heritage of India. IAGC is open to anyone with an interest in India, and is a nonprofit, non-political and non-religious association.
The bronze bust was sculpted by Jasu Shilpi, a sculptor who currently lives in Gujarat, India. Shilpi, also known as “The Bronze Woman of India,” has received numerous awards, one being Woman of the Year in 2000 by the American Biographical Institute. She is well known for her bronze sculptures showcased around the world.
Shilpi mentions on her website that she is very much inspired by Gandhi. She says that she agrees with his ideas about non-violence. These inspirations were put into the bronze sculpture that will now reside in the Liberty Garden at Pinewood Preparatory School.
On Aug. 25, the bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi will be unveiled. The event will also consist of Indian music, dancing, food and speakers from the Indian Association of Greater Charleston.
Pinewood’s Liberty Garden was established in January 2010. The garden is named after Frances Suddeth, a code-breaker in World War II. The bronze bust of Gandhi will be the final addition to the Garden. The statue will be placed next to busts of Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Albert Einstein and Nelson Mandela.
For information about the IAGC, visit www.indiaassociationofgreatercharleston.com. For information about the artist, visit www.jasushilipi.co.in/. For information about Pinewood Preparatory School, visit www.pinewoodprep.com.
