PM Modi retraces Mahatma Gandhi’s South African train journey

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaks to the press at a railway station in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Saturday July 9, 2016, before embarking on a train journey. Modi is taking the same historic train journey that Mahatma Gandhi took in 1893 when he was thrown off the train because of his race. Modi is on a four nation trip to Africa. (AP Photo)

The train resembled the one on which Mahatma Gandhi ji had travelled. On the footsteps of the Mahatma, Prime Minister relived the train journey to Pietermaritzburg.

Tracing the memory of the Mahatma Gandhi, on Day 2 in South Africa, Prime Minister arrives in Pentrich, boards train to Pietermaritzburg station.

Prime Minister Modi visited the spot where Gandhiji was offloaded from a train at Pietermaritzburg and paid tributes to the Mahatma.

Speaking to the media, Prime Minister said South Africa’s journey has become ‘tirth yatra’ for him after visiting all the three places which are significant in India’s history and Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister remembered a memorable journey of the great Mahatma, which altered the course of human history.

Prime Minister inaugurated an exhibition at the Waiting Hall where Gandhiji spent the night.

This exhibition would be a permanent memory at Pietermaritzburg for any visitor.

Prime Minister said, this is the place which turned Gandhi into ‘Mahatma’ and he is honoured to visit this place which is associated with the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister also wrote in the visitor’s book at the station the following words: “An event at Pietermaritzburg altered the course of India’s history.”