Why Ruto Walked With Socks at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in India
On Tuesday, during his first official visit to India, President William Ruto opted to walk barefoot in socks at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, removing his shoes for the occasion.
The President visited the memorial site, commonly referred to as Raj Ghat, to honor the esteemed Indian leader who passed away in 1948.
As per the regulations on the premises, showing respect requires individuals to refrain from wearing footwear while walking.
Individuals have the option to either go barefoot, wear socks, or, in specific cases, use slippers, as observed in the group that accompanied the Head of State.
Ruto participated in honoring the memorial by placing a wreath and joining in a brief prayer conducted by the site’s officials.
The memorial park was created on the site where the Indian leader, advocating for the Asian nation’s independence from British rule, was laid to rest through cremation.
“Visitors are required to remove their shoes before paying homage to the leader. A ceremony is held every Friday to mark the day he died. There are two museums nearby, which are dedicated to Gandhiji.
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“The memorial was designed by Vanu G Bhuta, and this national shrine was bestowed with several awards for its architectural design. The memorials of various other leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi are also located inside Raj Ghat,” India’s Ministry of Tourism explained on its website.
The park is primarily filled with grassy lawns and trees, showcasing the uncomplicated nature associated with Gandhi.
As per the Indian government, certain trees on the premises were planted by distinguished global figures such as Queen Elizabeth II.
Furthermore, there exists a perpetual flame positioned next to Gandhi’s memorial.
Ruto’s situation isn’t the first instance where the act of taking off shoes has occurred; it was previously observed during the G20 summit when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed prominent leaders like US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
During the September meeting, the leaders either walked with socks or barefoot. Others opted to wear felt slippers as the area had experienced rainfall.
Why Ruto Walked With Socks at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in India
