Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston gets grant of USD 457,000 from Fort Bend County

The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) has received a grant of USD 475,000 from Fort Bend County under the American Rescue Plan.

Houston: The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) has received a grant of USD 475,000 from the Fort Bend County under the American Rescue Plan, which would go a long way in the completing the construction of the first museum in the US dedicated to preserve and promote Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and ideals.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the museum was conducted on July 3 this year, with Congressman Al Green being the chief guest, with a host of other dignitaries and members of Houston's local community also being present for the event.

The museum is expected to open to the public sometime in 2023.

“The Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston is delighted and truly grateful to the Fort Bend County Commissioners' court for approving this grant,” volunteer, trustee and co-founder Atul B Kothari said.

The grant was announced during a press conference on Wednesday evening by Fort Bend County judge of Indian-origin KP George along with the county commissioners.

"Indian-American Fort Bend County judge KP George has offered unflinching support to the activities of EGMH from day one, when he was invited to the memorial service for Mahatma Gandhi in February 2019 at the Unity of Houston. This grant will go a long way in bringing to life the first-ever museum in the US dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi,” Kothari explained.

EGMH has acquired 3 acres of land in southwest Houston to house the museum. The proposed budget for construction is USD 6.5 million.

The proceeds from the capital campaign have touched USD 2.9 million, with the board of trustees committing another USD 1.1 million.

The trust has also secured another USD 0.8 million from private donor commitments.

Recently, the Houston Endowment Foundation also awarded a capital grant of USD 500,000.

A concerted fundraising campaign is currently underway through foundations, corporations and private donors to raise the remaining amount.

To initiate this project, the EGMH board has also engaged with a reputed museum consultant, with a Smithsonian background.

The museum will also include exhibits and interpretations that highlight the mission and vision of Mahatma Gandhi.

Additional consultants engaged for this project include a design and build museum firm, architect and an education consultant.

"The museum will invite Houston and school children from surrounding areas for a field trip for free.

The EGMH will be an interactive museum divided into three sections: ‘His Journey' (Mahatma Gandhi's Life), ‘Our Journey' (Impact of Mahatma Gandhi's legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution in the world featuring, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and others around the world, and finally ‘My Journey' where each visitor will be asked to make a commitment to make the community a better place to live in,” Kothari said.

PTI