PM Modi unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi in German city of Hannover

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hannover.

Present along with the PM was Lord Mayor of Hannover.

PM Modi said that Gandhi's teachings and principles were the appropriate answer to challenges like terrorism and global warming that the world faces.

"The shadow of terror is bent upon eliminating humanity. In this situation the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi like non- violence and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) are appropriate answers to this challenge," Modi said in the city of Hannover, on the first day of his three-day visit to Germany, as per PTI.

Modi also referred to global warming and said the principles practised by Mahatma Gandhi can address this challenge.

He noted that Gandhi used to love and respect nature even in those days when there was no talk about climate change.

Modi said establishing the bust of Gandhi in Germany was a matter of pride for the whole world and those who believe in humanity. He said Gandhi may have been born in Gujarat in India but he was an global citizen and his ideals continue to guide humanity.

Syed Akbaruddin, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, tweeted saying that "many of 780 Indian residents of Hannover were at unveiling of Gandhiji's statue by PM."

Prior to this function, Modi visited the townhall here and interacted with groups of Indian students. He enquired about their education and posed for photos with them.

The PM gifted a Madhubani painting to the Lord Mayor.

The painting apparently depicts various stages of life, association with nature and also the interconnected nature of life on Earth and has been painted on canvas by a 70-year-old national award winning artist Baua Devi.

The PM's official site posted the following:

The Madhubani style of painting refers to the rural art form developed by women from Mithila, an area in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. The painting is done with fingers, nib–pens, twigs and matchsticks, generally using natural dyes and pigments, and is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. Most of the Madhubani paintings depict man and his association with nature, and scenes and deities from ancient epics. Natural objects, plants, social events are also represented in these paintings. There are paintings for each occasion and festival.

PM Modi arrived in Germany today on the second leg of a three-nation tour during which he will seek Germany's support for his 'Make in India' campaign.

(With Agency inputs)