UNSW Sydney, one of Australia’s world-class universities, joined the Indian community and business leaders to commemorate India’s Martyrs Day--the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on January 30, 1948--at the annual Gandhi Remembrance Ceremony and Gandhi Oration.

Launched in 2012, the Gandhi Oration is delivered by a person whose life work exemplifies the ideals of Gandhi. The Oration is preceded by a Remembrance Ceremony at the Gandhi bust on the Library Lawn of the 70-year-old university that has one of the largest numbers of Indian students. The ceremony includes the lighting of a ceremonial lamp, the singing of two hymns and a minute’s silence before dignitaries place floral tributes on the bust of Gandhi.

The events signify the close ties between India and UNSW. The university is the only higher-education institution in Australia to celebrate Martyr’s Day and is home to one of only two bronze sculptures of Gandhi in the country.