The campaign corresponds with supporters' plans for an annual day of service in Austin. This year's event is set for October 2, Gandhi's birthday.
When Nehal Sanghavi thinks of Austin, he sees a community that embraces diverse cultures and values progressive ideas and public service a model place, he says, for a memorial honoring one of the world's iconic figures of peace, Mohandas Gandhi.By Sanghavi's count, there are already at least 30 U.S. cities that have a Gandhi memorial, as well as countless other around the globe. I have been to Austin. I have enjoyed Austin. It is a cool city. And I think it would be made even cooler with a Gandhi memorial.
If Sanghavi and supporters realize their dream, the tranquil, bespectacled face of Gandhi will gaze upon the Zilker Park lawn, perhaps as soon as next year. Members of Austin's rapidly growing Indian community are leading the effort and submitted a proposal to the city's Parks and Recreation Department board. Sanghavi said supporters have financial commitments from the community to cover the estimated $35,000 cost for a bronze statue. He said they prefer a Zilker Park location but are open to suggestions from the city.
The campaign corresponds with supporters' plans for an annual day of service in Austin. This year's event is set for Oct. 2, the birthday of the late leader .
Be the Change Day will be patterned after traditional observances in India, where the date is a national holiday and a day of service, said Sonia Kotecha, president of the Network of Indian Professionals of Austin.
Supporters hope to unveil the Austin memorial on Be the Change Day in 2011.
UPDATE: Here's a opinion piece in the Statesman supporting the Gandhi statue proposal: Give Gandhi a space at Austin's Zilker Park.