New Delhi: Philanthropist Bill Gates highlighted the enduring influence of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, saying that Gandhi’s ideals of equality and dignity remain central to the Gates Foundation’s mission.
Speaking at a special celebration organized by the Consulate General of India in Seattle in partnership with the Gates Foundation on Thursday, Gates praised India’s role in pioneering innovations with the potential to transform lives across the Global South. The event, which showcased Indian culture, arts, and cuisine, was held to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 156th birth anniversary.
“It’s fitting that we’re gathering on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. The ideals he championed—the equality and dignity of every person—are foundational to the work we do,” said Gates, Chair and Board Member of the Gates Foundation. “India today is a global leader in innovation, and we look forward to partnering with it on the journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The commemoration was attended by senior leadership from Washington State and the Seattle city government. The program also included a keynote address on the “Relevance of Gandhian Values in the Contemporary World Order” by Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute.
Across Seattle and Bellevue, several events honored Gandhi’s legacy. In Bellevue, city council members joined a tribute at the Gandhi statue near the public library. At the Seattle Center, near the iconic Space Needle, floral tributes were offered by Washington State Senator Vandana Slatter and Eddie Rye, Founder of the MLK–Gandhi Foundation. Schoolchildren performed Gandhi’s favorite hymns as part of the commemorations.
Events were also held on the East Coast. In New York, Consul General Binaya Pradhan visited the Gandhi Peace Garden at SUNY Old Westbury, an initiative inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 that features 150 trees symbolizing all 50 U.S. states. The Consulate described the garden as a living reminder of Gandhi’s message of peace, harmony, and respect for nature.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Indian Embassy organized a program that included a talk by Srimati Karuna, Director of the Gandhi Memorial Center, on Gandhi’s life, message, and inspirations. The event also featured bhajans and songs performed by differently abled Indian artists Anusha Manjunath and Vasundhara Raturi, honoring the Mahatma through music.
