The dilapidated building before restoration (left) and a view of the present redeveloped main building.
The Kochrab Ashram was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram and launched the Rs 1,200-crore master plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial, at Mahatma Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.
PM Modi, who is on a Gujarat visit, said, “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.”
PM Modi inaugurated the heritage projects on Tuesday (March 12) to mark the 94th anniversary of the Dandi March that began from the Sabarmati Ashram.
The Kochrab Ashram was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth.
This ashram was a major centre for students of Gandhian ideas to practice satyagraha, self-sufficiency, Swadeshi, work for the upliftment of the poor, women, and untouchables, and promote better public education and sanitation. The ashram was organised on the basis of human equality.
It is a colonial-style building with a white-washed façade. The campus has hostels and kitchens. The Gandhi Memorial Museum on the ashram campus has a small collection of artifacts associated with the life of Mahatma Gandhi and historical photographs. Over time, the building had lost its luster and needed a major revamp to turn them into a centre of heritage and knowledge.
Mahatma Gandhi’s belongings and other historical documents have been preserved using modern techniques. Several lights have also been installed to allow visitors to experience the cultural heritage even when it is dark. The revamped ashram also features an activity centre for youngsters.
PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing photographs of the revamped Kochrab Ashram.
Paying homage to all those who took part in the Dandi March under Bapu’s leadership, which began on this day in 1930.Later today at around 10 AM, I will attend a programme to mark the inauguration of the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, which had a very special place in Mahatma… pic.twitter.com/jQMNz8d7V3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2024
The Prime Minister recounted Gandhi Ji’s time in the Kochrab Ashram where Gandhiji stayed before shifting to Sabarmati. He also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and congratulated the citizens for the significant and inspirational projects.
