Hosted by GFUSA
Community Screening of 'Mahatma'
By Ravi R Ponangi

Atlanta, GA: GFUSA (Gandhi foundation of USA) Atlanta and Consulate General
of India in Atlanta organized an event showing a documentary commemorating the
ongoing yearlong 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The event was held
on Friday, May 3 at the theatre in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. historical
site in down town in Atlanta. The documentary “Mahatma – A great soul of 20th
Century” impressively depicted the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi”. In
this event so many dignitaries paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi before the
screening of the documentary.

GFUSA is an organization based in Atlanta, Georgia that started with a purpose
to create and promote the educational and informational programs to inform the
general public on nonviolence philosophies and practices of Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The same was witnessed in Atlanta when
GFUSA and Consulate General of India in Atlanta organized an event commemorating
the ongoing yearlong 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
GFUSA was founded on October 26 in 1997 in preparation of the installation and
dedication of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
historical site. The purpose of the foundation was to focus entirely on the
philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thus, establishing
a meaningful continuity in honoring both Gandhi and King beyond the dedication
of the statue.

After the welcome remarks by Antony Thaliath, the executive director of GF-USA,
Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Consul General of India in Atlanta and other dignitaries
garlanded the giant statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Subash Razdan, chairman of GFUSA
while introducing Dr. Swati Kulkarni, CGI said so far, these many years we have
remote support from Embassy of India, Government of India. But now since the
start of Consulate in Atlanta, we have active support of the consulate. We have
a real partner along with national park service and King Center to spread the
message of peace and non-violence. Subash concluded saying, we are celebrating
yearlong 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Today was one of our special
events to show a documentary on Mahatma Gandhi.

In her brief remarks at the Gandhi statue, Dr. Swati Kulkarni said as everybody
know Gandhi has been so important iconic for all of us. He has led India’s epic
freedom struggle against colonialism. Dr. Martin Luther King has led epic
struggle against racism in America. Nelson Mandela led the anti-apartheid
movement. Dr. King and Mandela both followed Gandhian principles. The common
thread that runs through all these freedom struggles is humanism and religious
tolerance. Many people revere Gandhi and they held in high esteem. He is the
inspiration not only to individuals but also to institutions. He legitimized the
fight against exploitation, discrimination, demand for justice, mass movement
etc., He was inspirer in the past. He inspires people today.
He will inspire the succeeding generations. He will give courage to fight. He
will make sure his principles; his message is so profound that inspires as said
by Dr. King that he was electrified by his profound message. Concluding her
brief remarks, Dr. Swati said the small documentary being shown tells about
Mahatma’s life and teachings. I am sure you know about him still you will get
awe stuck by his message. The more you know about him still you learn new about
him, she added.
Barbara Harrison, External Affairs Director of King Center while conveying the
greetings from Dr. King’s daughter and chief Executive officer of King Center,
Bernice A King said the influence of Gandhi that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had
on him, we continue to experience and feel that today. Gandhi was not just a
gift to India but to the world. King center is so grateful as Dr. King had an
opportunity to learn about Gandhi and study him. She said future generations
will follow Gandhi.
The celebration concluded with showing the documentary “Mahatma – Great soul of
20th century” followed by dinner.
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May-13-2019