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.