Founders & Team

As a fresh graduate from a university in London, Nilesh Makwana started working with an airline at Heathrow Airport and thus started to travel the world. Regardless of the corners of the world he visited, he discovered that people had more knowledge of Gandhi than he did. Curious as to why that was, he dug into libraries and bookstores, and slowly he got to know why so many still embrace Gandhi’s values and philosophies. With a newfound source of inspiration, Nilesh continued his journey through life, and in difficult moments he always found motivation and solace in Gandhi’s accomplishments.

It was after meeting Lene that Borderless Gandhi was created. Throughout their early days as a couple, they worked together on community projects, and during their visit to India for their engagement, an idea sparked to develop collaborative events to create awareness about Mahatma Gandhi’s work, life and legacy.

Mahatma Gandhi was a great believer in inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-living. Keeping this and many more of Gandhi's values in mind, the title Borderless Gandhi was chosen for the project. Nilesh and Lene did not want to portray Mahatma Gandhi as a teacher about or for specific groups, religions or nations, but rather emphasise his global and inclusive nature.

With the help and support of their team in Perth WA, the couple set out to organise annual events to honour the life, legacy and work of Mahatma Gandhi, with art chosen as the main medium.