Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane.
Mahatma Gandhi's life is still relevant and holds lessons to address two of the world's pressing problems - terrorism and global warming, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Brisbane today.
"After becoming Prime Minister, I have spoken about Gandhiji often," Mr Modi said in his address to a large crowd of non-resident Indians, before unveiling a statue of Gandhi at the Roma Park. But he said he had always believed in the philosophy and ideologies of the Mahatma, "even before I was chief minister of Gujarat".
"On 2nd October, it was not just a person that was not born in Porbandar, but an era was born. Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime," he said.
The Mahatma, he said, believed in having respect for environment. "At the heart of global warming is the philosophy of exploitation," the Prime Minister said. "Mahatma Gandhi always loved nature. He was against the exploitation of nature."
Citing an example, he said when Mahatma Gandhi stayed at the Sabarmati Ashram, the river was full of water. "Yet even at that time, he scolded people for wasting water."
Gandhi's belief in non-violence is also relevant to address the issue of terrorism today, he added.
The organisers of the programme said a bridge will be named after Mahatma Gandhi in Springfield.
The Prime Minister had arrived at the programme at the conclusion of the G20 summit, to a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora. The mayor of Brisbane was also there to greet him.
A tweet from the Prime Minister's office said., "G20 meetings are over. Happy (about) beginning my bilateral visit to Australia with this programme: PM."