- The Indian Navy participated in a commemorative event to mark 130 years of the start of struggle against apartheid at the Pietermaritzburg, Railway Station near Durban.
- INS Trishul, a frontline warship of the Indian Navy is visiting Durban from 6th to 9th June 2023 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the 7th Jun 1893 incident at Pietermaritzburg, Railway Station as also 30 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Durban, South Africa in 1893 to work as a legal advisor to the merchant Dada Abdullah. On 7th June 1893 he first arrived at Pietermaritzburg station during his visit to Pretoria in the Transvaal. Gandhiji, who had bought a ticket and was sitting in the first class compartment, was thrown out of the compartment at the behest of a European who said that ‘coolies’ and blacks were not allowed in the first class compartment. This incident is considered to be the trigger that inspired Gandhi to fight against racial oppression and the birth of Satyagraha.
The story of Mahatma Gandhi’s travails at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station acquired another life on 25th April, 1997 when, in a moving ceremony at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, presided by Nelson Mandela, then President of South Africa, the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg was conferred posthumously on Mahatma Gandhi. President Nelson Mandela, addressing the gathering to right a century-old wrong, said, “Gandhiji is a great example of personal sacrifice and dedication against oppression.”
Qns : Which Indian Navy warship is visiting Durban to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the incident at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station on 7th June 2023?
(A) INS Trishul
(B) INS Vikramaditya
(C) INS Viraat
(D) INS Rajput
Ans : (A) INS Trishul
