Gandhi Peace Pilgrim Award presented to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

By Ravi R Ponangi

In recognition of his tireless efforts to spread the messages of peace and non-violence espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, peace envoy, and champion of human values, received the prestigious "GANDHI PEACE PILGRIM" award in Atlanta, Georgia. The Gandhi Foundation of USA administrators welcomed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and a large throng gathered around the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change in Atlanta.

Subash Razdan presenting the award to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The glorious ‘GANDHI PEACE PILGRIM’ award bestowed by the Gandhi Foundation of the USA (GFUSA) was presented on Thursday, November 10 to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in front of the majestic life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the MLK Jr National Historic Site. The award was presented by the GFUSA chairman Subash Razdan to Gurudev in the presence of Isaac Farris, past president of King center and nephew of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, India’s Consul General in Atlanta Dr Swati Kulkarni, Government and elected officials of Georgia and a large gathering of diverse communities. The award was presented to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living for “his outstanding service and contribution for humanity to bring the change we want to see in the world", through his wisdom, insight and inspiration in the spirit of Gandhi-King teaching of Peace and Ahimsa,” said the citation.

“Certain messages are timeless messages. In this category, Martin Luther King’s and Mahatma Gandhi’s messages are very relevant. They are fresh to every age in every generation. Sometimes it becomes even more relevant. In today’s world where we are facing such polarization and tension, the message of peace must be heard loud and clear," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said in his acceptance speech.

Mari Hayden, official from National Park service, Isaac Farris and Dr. Swati Kulkarni congratulated and commended the work done by Gurudev universally. Dr. Swati said it is her privilege to offer felicitations on receipt of the glorious Peace Pilgrim award. She also said that Gurudev is carrying a strong message of peace everywhere and India believes in Vasu Daiva Kutumbakam (One World Family). Your presence today will give again yet another strong message. Let us all rededicate ourselves to the universal priceless and timeless message of Peace, she added.


Isaac Farris while congratulating Gurudev on receiving the award said that the presence of Gurudev is one of the great joy to all of them and it is highlight to the King center. He informed Gurudev that the Gandhi statue being at the entrance of the National Park and King Historical site is proving to be a big attraction as more than a million visitors come to the King Historic site annually to marvel and pay homage to the invaluable bond between MLK Jr. and the Mahatma.
Earlier recipients of coveted ‘Gandhi Peace Pilgrim’ award include Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Dalai Lama, Dada Sadhu Vaswani, America President Jimmy Carter, and civil Rights leader John Lewis.
After the award presentation ceremony Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led the gathering in a peace walk to the King crypts and laid wreaths at the Crypts of Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King. Sri Sri was accompanied by Dr. Kulkarni, Subash Razdan, Farris and Barbara Harrison, Director of International affairs at King Center.
 

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 3 days stay from November 9-11 in Atlanta was hectic with a number of programs. Thousands of people across Atlanta and neighboring cities had the opportunity to meet with him, meditate deeply, experience peace and freedom, and be inspired by his vision for world peace and harmony.

In April 2022, Sri Sri launched the “I Stand for Peace” campaign in Geneva. In the months that followed, the campaign made its way to 25 cities across the United States and Europe. Gurudev is back in US crisscrossing different cities promoting “I Stand for Peace”. Atlanta was one of the first cities where he made a stop. On November 9, Atlanta hosted “I Stand for Peace” at Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. It was a beautiful evening of music, wisdom, meditation and inspiration, led by Gurudev.
Newly elected Congressman Rich McCormick, the Honorable Consul General of India, Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, founder of National Monuments Foundation, Rodney Cook and former pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley and Gurudev lighted the ceremonial lamp to kick off the evening’s events. The event was attended by over a thousand people.

On November 10, Georgia Institute of Technology hosted a dialog with Gurudev, titled “Mental Wellness in Campus Life.” The Exhibition Hall was packed with six hundred curious students and thirty-five faculty members. Student leaders posed questions to Gurudev on a variety of topics, ranging from managing stress of academics, dealing with anger and anxiety, developing emotional resilience, even style and fashion! The audience was enthralled by Gurudev’s inimitable combination of wit and wisdom. He led the assembly through a deep meditation that left everyone calm yet energized. Gurudev also met with Tech faculty members who shared their ideas and thoughts about developing sustainable and holistic solutions to the mental health crisis among young people, especially students.

On the morning of November 11, Gurudev joined Ambassador Andrew Young at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel for an illuminating conversation on creating a peaceful society. The talk was moderated by Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Professor of Religion and Founding Dean of the Chapel and Dr. Reverend Gerald Durley, Pastor Emeritus of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Gurudev reminded the audience of the power present in each individual to create a world free from violence and racial discrimination.

In the afternoon, Gurudev addressed an audience of two hundred and fifty people at the Goodrich White Hall at Emory University. The topic was “Burnout in Academia and Healthcare”. Gurudev shared tips to maintain perfect health at all levels—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual— and overcome depression and aggression through the use of meditation and breathing techniques. Increased memory power, intuitive abilities, and creativity arise from a calm and collected mind, and meditation is the best way to calm the mind, he urged. Gurudev answered a number of questions from students ranging from creating work-life balance, improving focus and concentration, dealing with failures, and the impact of social media on mental health.

To everyone he met and spoke with, Gurudev extended an invitation to the World Culture Festival, a global event planned for September 2023, hosted by the Art of Living. This event aims to bring together 250,000 people for the largest group meditation in the country, and to create a platform for leaders, visionaries, artists, educators, philanthropists, etc. to come together in a celebration of what promises to be the “Olympics” of world culture. Gurudev envisions the World Culture Festival as a global event that celebrates diversity in all forms, and sends a powerful message of peace, from the United States to the rest of the world.