Ashes of Mahatma Gandhi preserved by a family friend for 62 years after his assassination were finally immersed in the Indian Ocean off the South African coast today. Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi Ela Gandhi, who led the sacred ritual said it was a beautiful ceremony attended by more than 200 people. The Indian Ocean was chosen for the solemn event as it links the two countries that had his profound influence.<br/><br/>After Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, his ashes were distributed among family, friends and followers. It was handed over to his granddaughter by a family friend who took coustady of the ashes since they were brought to South Africa.<br/><br/>Local businessman and an ardent Gandhian, Chagan Chotoo Thakur Bhoola, 85, recalled how he had transported Gandhi's ashes in an urn from Bombay to South Africa.<br/><br/>Bhoola came to India in 1948 to marry Mani, 81, and attended Gandhi's funeral. Shortly after Gandhi's cremation Jawaharlal Nehru handed him the ashes in an urn.<br/><br/>Bhoola said they left India by boat on June 8, 1948, and travelled to Mombasa where a memorial service was held for the father of Indian nation. They also travelled to several African states including Nairobi where some of Gandhi's ashes were submerged in various rivers and lakes. After more than 28 days he returned to Durban and the urn was placed at Sarvodaya, at Phoenix Gandhi Settlement in Inanda, north of Durban.<br/><br/>Gandhi had started the settlement during his tenure there at the turn of the 19th century, undertaking various human rights projects across South Africa before returning to India.