By: Vandana Jhingan

In a historic cultural moment for the state, the first bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the prestigious Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana in Missoula.

The unveiling ceremony was jointly led by Greg Gianforte, Governor of the state of Montana, and the Consul General of India in Seattle. The event brought together state officials, faculty members, students from the university, and representatives from the Montana World Affairs Council.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Gianforte expressed appreciation to the Government of India and the Indian Consulate for presenting the bust as a gift to the state. He highlighted the growing relationship between India and Montana and praised Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, noting that the values he championed remain deeply relevant in today’s global landscape.

The bust has been installed at the Mike Mansfield Center, an institution established by an Act of the U.S. Congress in 1983. The center promotes ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and global engagement, while supporting youth and communities through civic and international education.

Later in the evening, students at the University of Montana celebrated the vibrant Indian festival of Holi, often called the festival of colors. Deena Mansour, Executive Director at the Mansfield Center, welcomed the celebration, describing it as a symbol of the arrival of spring and a celebration of unity.

Students and local residents enthusiastically participated in the festivities, playing with organic Indian colors and taking part in an Indian film screening. The Bollywood film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was screened for students, offering them a glimpse into Indian culture and storytelling. Participants also enjoyed traditional Holi sweets, including the popular delicacy Gujiya.

Earlier in the day, nearly 400 students from across Montana attended a session on “Brand India” during the Academic World Quest Conference hosted by the Montana World Affairs Council. The briefing introduced students to India’s growing global presence, including discussions on the government’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and tastings of premium Indian coffees such as Araku Coffee.

Since the establishment of the Indian Consulate in Seattle, cultural and educational ties between India and Montana have strengthened significantly. In June 2025, a group of ten high-school students from Montana traveled to India for a two-week cultural immersion program. More recently, a fifty-member delegation from Montana—including business leaders, educators, and technology experts—participated in the second edition of the Invest India Business Forum 2026 held in Seattle on January 25.

Officials noted that the installation of Gandhi’s bust and the celebration of Holi together represent another step toward strengthening cultural understanding and people-to-people connections between India and the state of Montana.

The statue unveiled at the Mansfield Center is the fourth installation of Mahatma Gandhi in the U.S. Pacific Northwest facilitated by the Indian Consulate in Seattle. Previous statues have been installed at the Space Needle in Seattle in October 2024, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska in December 2024, and earlier at the Bellevue Public Library in Bellevue, Washington.

The unveiling in Montana adds another cultural landmark honoring Gandhi’s enduring legacy of peace and nonviolence while further strengthening the bridge between India and communities across the American Northwest.