Park Circus Maidan to be named after Frontier Gandhi

The historic Park Circus Maidan in eastern Kolkata is all set to be renamed Badshah Khan Maidan after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan - also known as Frontier Gandhi - a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

The historic Park Circus Maidan in eastern Kolkata is all set to be renamed Badshah Khan Maidan after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan – also known as Frontier Gandhi – a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

The decision was taken after an initiative taken by his great granddaughter Yasmin Khan. Yasmin heads an organisation Pakthun-Jirga-e-Hind,which comprises Pakhtuns (inhabitants of North Westren Frontier Province now in Pakistan) who are now living in Kolkata.

Frontier Gandhi stayed at houses near the Park Circus Maidan whenever he came to Kolkata. We had a talk with Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Deputy Mayor Farzana Alam. They have given a positive response, said Yasmin.

Debashish Kumar,Member Mayor in Council,Parks and Squares,said: We have received a proposal in this regard from the family members of Ghaffar Khan. But,nothing has been finalised yet.

Gandhis family members also want to set up an association in his memory for destitute women and children belonging to the minority community. We have submitted all necessary documents and papers to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). We are now awaiting for the registration process to be over, said a family member.

Lack of education and awareness is escalating poverty in our society. The association will offer its service cutting across religious lines but will focus mainly on the minority section, Yasmin added.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has also assured her support to this endeavour.

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