Honouring Indian Independence

Historian contributes to national event remembering key moment in world history

The University’s Reader in Modern Indian History  Dr Padma Anagol has played a key part in a special community event in the capital marking the 77^th anniversary of India’s independence.

Celebrated annually on 15 August Indian Independence Day marks when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act - transferring legislative sovereignty from the British government to the Indian Constituent Assembly - came into effect in 1947.

India attained independence following the independence movement noted for largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

Independence also saw the partition of India into the separate nations of India and Pakistan amid violent riots and mass casualties.

Dr Padma Anagol addressed the community event organised by the Cardiff branch of the Indian Heritage Centre with her lecture  Making the Nation: Gandhi and Indian people's Participation in the Freedom Struggle.

In the talk, Dr Anagol challenged an imperialist belief commonly held by British statesmen that India never was a nation and could not be one by analysing the strengths of the Indian nationalist movement led by the charismatic Gandhi. She reflected  on Gandhi’ s strong and sound relevance today as a message for a strife-ridden world through his emphasis on how peaceful methods of resistance wins over violence.

The first event of its kind in Wales included exhibition of paintings and commentary on Stories that Paintings Tell: Pre and Post Independence Indian Women's portraits by contemporary artist Prith .B and a performance of mesmerising patriotic Indian songs by Dr Girish.

Taking part were also CEO of the Indian Heritage Centre Mrs Tripti Megeri and Ms Shivani Kothegal, with Dr Girish Kothegal   acknowledging the contributions of all volunteers, attendees and the organisers in a vote of thanks.

Attending alongside Welsh Asian community members from diverse professions members were representatives of British services including Lieutenant Commander Suzanne   Lynch of the Royal Navy and PCSO Paulina Karcocha of South Wales Police.

A specialist in Indian history, Dr Padma Anagol is author of numerous publications including Emergence of Feminism in India, 1850-1920, the co-edited critical collection, Rethinking Gender and Justice in South Asia, 1772-2013 and most recently Mapping Women's History: Recovery, Resistance and Activism in Colonial and Postcolonial India.

Launching its Cardiff branch last year, Indian Heritage Centre aims to promote social cohesion and inclusion by fostering cultural awareness at grassroots level as well as supporting the Welsh government’s anti-racist Wales action plan.