PM INAUGURATES KOCHRAB ASHRAM IN SABARMATI GUJARAT

Prime Minister recently inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the Dandi March.

1. The Dandi March or Salt March was a major non-violent civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. It began on 12 March 1930 from Sabarmati to Dandi in the Arabian Sea. The purpose of this movement was to reject the British salt monopoly and protest against colonial rule. Gandhi and his followers made salt from sea water at Dandi, inspiring millions of Indians to do the same. This march led to widespread civil disobedience and over 60,000 people, including Gandhiji, were arrested. The movement ended with Gandhiji's release from prison in January 1931 and his conversation with Lord Irwin.

“Sabarmati Ashram has kept alive Bapu’s values of truth and nonviolence, rashtra seva and seeing god’s service in the service of the deprived” “Amrit Mahotsav created a gateway for India to enter into Amrit Kaal” “A nation that is not able to preserve its heritage, loses its future too. Bapu's Sabarmati Ashram is the heritage of humanity not just the country” “Gujarat showed the way of preservation of heritage to the entire nation” “Today, when India is moving forward with the determination to develop, this shrine of Mahatma Gandhi is a great inspiration for all of us” -Prime Minister

About Kochrab Ashram:

1. The Satyagraha Ashram, founded in 1915 by Mahatma Gandhi after his return from South Africa, was the 1st ashram founded by him. It is located in Kochrab village of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
2. The ashram was named Satyagraha Ashram, as it symbolized Gandhi's philosophy of achieving India's independence from British rule through non-violent means.

Establishment:

1. Gopal Krishna Gokhale requested Mahatma Gandhi to return to India, recognizing his potential as a community organizer.
2. After returning to India from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi became closely associated with Ahmedabad. He chose to settle in Ahmedabad in 1915, believing that as a Gujarati, he could best serve the country through the Gujarati language.
3. On May 20, 1915, Gandhi began living in a bungalow in Kochrab village. The bungalow, soon renamed Satyagraha Ashram, was gifted to him by his colleague and fellow lawyer, Jeevanlal Desai.
4. Mahatma Gandhi remained at the ashram for about one and a half years before moving to the new campus of Sabarmati Ashram. The ashram is a colonial-style building with a whitewashed façade.

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