GANDHI FOUNDATION OF USA REMEMBERS
MAHATMA GANDHI ON DR. KING’S 90TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

By Ravi R Ponangi

Atlanta City Councilman, Amir R. Farokhi and others at statue

Atlanta, GA: The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GF-USA) joined thousands of people at Dr. MLK Historical site in down town, Atlanta and participated in the celebrations of Dr. king’s 90th birthday organized by King Center. The main function, the 51st Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Service was held on Monday, January21 at Ebenezer Church located in the DR. MLK historical site. The historical park, where the King center housed is run by the National Park Service, has been closed because of the federal government shutdown that began December 22. With the efforts of Delta Airlines, the park was opened on January 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday weekend. The reopening of the national park facilitated large number of admirers of Dr. King and visitors to visit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birth home, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the park visitor center, and Mahatma Gandhi statue.

GF-USA held a brief and befitting event remembering Mahatma Gandhi in front of a tall bronze statue located in Dr. King Center on the occasion of King’s 90th birthday. The well-attended event was graced by the presence of dignitaries Hon. L.T. Ngaihte, Consul of India (Political and Consular Services) in Atlanta, Amir R. Farokhi, Atlanta City Councilman, (district 2) besides representatives of Atlanta’s mainstream community, Asian Americans, African Americans and media. After the welcome remarks by Antony Thaliath, the executive director of GF-USA, Hon. Ngaihte and other dignitaries garlanded the giant statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Raj Razdan, a senior leader in the community and GF-USA gave a brief introduction of the Gandhi statue and MLK day. She said the ties between the Gandhi Foundation, the King Center and the National Park Service have been exemplary and in unison to spread the message of peace and non-violence.

In his brief remarks at the Gandhi statue, Hon. L.T. Ngaihte said that he was fortunate to attend these celebrations especially when Gandhi and King are at one place, at one time. Congratulating GF-USA and King Center, he said organizing the two, 90th birth day of King and remembering Mahatma Gandhi on the MLK Day together is significant as the two personalities are more or less same in mind. Mahatma Gandhi as well as MLK spearheaded an epic revolution on the basis of Non violence. They both proved that any thing could be achieved through non-violence. Dr. King revolutionized the entire atmosphere all over the world including America. Quoting Gandhi’s famous quote, the consul Ngaihte said we should be the change we want to see the change in others. This means we set an example in order to make the world beautiful. We should be the one to do it first when we want others to follow.

In his message, Atlanta City Councilman, Amir R. Farokhi said, “Every celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy is made more complete with recognition of Mahatma Gandhi’s influence, life and legacy. The two are linked in philosophy, commitment, and scale of impact. The future for Atlanta and the United states is made better with Gandhi’s impact on Dr. King and Dr. King’s remarkable work toward equality and Justice.”

John R. Naugle, follower of Gandhi and King read out a quote from Dr. King to audience. Dr. King said, “ Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk.”
 

After the prayer meeting at the Gandhi statue the gathering “Walked in Peace” to the King crypts, where the distinguished guests and others laid bouquets as homage to the champions of Civil Rights Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King.
The 51st Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Service that was held on the occasion of Dr. King’s 90th birthday at Ebenezer Church included singing, music, scripture reading, prayer etc., This year’s key note speaker was Dr. Bryan A Stevenson, founder and executive director of The equal justice initiative. Dr. King’s daughter Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of King Center also addressed the fully packed audience. International, national, state and city leaders and elected representatives sent messages and greetings celebrating the life and legacy of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The celebration concluded with Bell-Ringing Ceremony by members of the Atlanta Consular Corps where several diplomats from various countries enthusiastically participated and rang bells in support and love of world community. This was followed by the anthem of the movement “We Shall overcome” a commemorative service choir.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. After years of campaigning by activists, members of Congress and Coretta Scott King, among others, in 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a U.S. federal holiday in honor of King. Martin Luther King Day was first celebrated in 1986.