Memphis, Tennessee: On August 25, 2024, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh concluded his U.S. visit with a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, where he interacted with members of the Indian diaspora from across the region. The museum, which chronicles the history of the civil rights movement in the United States, is notably built around the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
During his visit, Rajnath Singh highlighted the deep historical connections between global civil rights movements and India’s non-violent struggle for independence, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The museum itself features a bust of Gandhi, recognizing his influence on the principles of peaceful protest, which also inspired Dr. King’s leadership during the U.S. civil rights era.
Speaking to the Indian community members from Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, and nearby areas, the Raksha Mantri lauded their significant contributions to American society, science, and the economy. He described the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between India and the U.S., playing a key role in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering goodwill between the two nations.
Rajnath Singh also praised the efforts of the Indian community in establishing an exhibit dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi at the museum. He acknowledged their initiative to place honorary ‘Gandhi Way’ street signs near the museum in 2019, on the occasion of Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, further cementing the bond between the legacies of Gandhi and Dr. King.
In his final remarks of the U.S. tour, the Raksha Mantri emphasized India’s remarkable growth over the past decade and expressed optimism about the country’s bright future, highlighting the important role of the Indian diaspora in this progress.