US House Of Representatives To Consider Bill Aimed At Promoting Mahatma Gandhi's Legacy

The US House Of Representatives is set to consider a bill to promote the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The bill which was introduced by legendary civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis has also sought a budgetary allocation of USD 150 million for the next five years. Introduced to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the House Bill (HR 5517) affirms the friendship between the two largest democracies of the world and honours the legacy and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King. Among other things, the bill proposes establishing a Gandhi-King Development Foundation, which will be created by the USAID under the Indian laws. The bill seeks a budgetary allocation of USD 30 million every year for the next five years to the USAID for this foundation. This foundation would have a governing council convened by governments of the United States and India and would oversee grants to NGOs in the areas of health, pollution and climate change, education and women empowerment, the bill says. It is being co-sponsored by six other Democratic lawmakers, three of whom are Indian-Americans -- Dr Ami Bera, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal. The three other Congressmen are Brenda Lawrence, Brad Sherman and James McGovern.