Mahatma Gandhi’s
136th Birthday Anniversary Celebrated
by the Gandhi Foundation at the Statue
By Mahadev Desai
Like five fingers forming a strong fist, five leading
organizations; the National Federation of Indian American
Associations (NFIA); India American Cultural Association, (IACA);
the Hindu Temple of Atlanta; the Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta and
the Jain Society of Greater Atlanta lent their solid support to
the Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA) in celebrating the 136th
Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in the Martin Luther King
Jr., National Historic District. And to invigorate this gesture
of togetherness were supporting organizations; Senior Citizens
Inc.; Victory over Violence International Campaign; Georgia
Indian American Republican Council, together with International
Farmers Market, Georgia and other supporting individuals. The
joyous celebrations began on crisp, sunny morning of Saturday,
October 1, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
Visitors Center and continued at the historic Ebenezer Baptist
Church. This year’s inspiring, moving and memorable event was
even more special as it was graced by the newly appointed
India’s Consul General; the Honorable Consul General in Houston,
S.M.Gavai. Most significant was the striking participation of
the African-American community and the young generation.
After the guests were seated next to the Statue, composed and
confident Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, GFUSA Board
members, Viren Mayani and Vinita Thaper welcomed all. Petite
Krishna Shah (daughter of Ms.Minal Shah-Jain Society) in her
sweet voice recited “aum namo arihantanam’, the best known
namokar mantra of the Jains.
Hon. Gavai, flanked by the attendees in their colorful Indian
attire and cheerful school children in their smart uniforms,
lighted the traditional (diya) lamp and garlanded the
resplendent Gandhi Statue. GFUSA Assistant Executive Director
and Gandhi Center USA Director of Operations, H.V.Shivadas led
the audience in singing Gandhiji’s favorite bhajan “Raghupati
Raghava”. In his brief speech, the soft-spoken Consul General,
Honorable Gavai remarked that both Gandhi and Dr. King were not
only great men but were ideals. Complimenting the GFUSA, he said
that the Statue establishes a very visible link between the two
great world icons, which touched souls of millions around the
world. He referred to the recent natural disasters-Tsunami,
Katrina and Rita, which wreaked unimaginable havoc and of how
India rose to the occasion every time and contributed its help
on each occasion, exemplifying the legacy of compassionate care
of Gandhiji and Dr. King.
Consul General Gavai then led the audience in a Peace March
through the King Center to the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
where the main program was staged.
At the Ebenezer, where Dr. King preached, H.V. Shivadas, once
again led the audience into singing Let there be Peace on Earth
carrying a message of unity through diversity. Shivadas
introduced Dan Sanborn, who is a teacher in Dallas, Georgia for
the Department of Juvenile Justice, who will be working with the
Gandhi Foundation of USA in non violent conflict resolution
programs for troubled school children. The Deputy Executive
Director, GFUSA, Antony Thaliath welcomed the gathering. He also
made an appeal for donations for the proposed Gandhi Center,
USA, creating a “Triangle of Peace” in the MLK National Historic
District, which would include the King Center, the Carter Center
and the Gandhi Center
Guest speaker, Frank Catroppa, of the National Park Service and
Superintendent of the Martin Luther King, National Historic
Site, alluded to the Let there be Peace on Earth song, and said
“Like Gandhi and Dr. King, we must strive for peace on earth.
You have to believe in yourself. One person can make a
difference. Both Gandhi and Dr. King proved that.”
NFIA President, Dr.Rajan Anand, who served in the Clinton
administration as Executive Director of the Center for Nutrition
Policy and Promotion at the Department of Agriculture began by
thanking the GFUSA and the NFIA’s past and present officials who
had traveled from all over the nation to participate in the
Gandhi’s Birthday celebrations. Gandhi’s core philosophy was
non-violence. But to Gandhi, non-violence was not mere absence
of violence, but non-violence coupled with absence of hatred,
and absence of any thoughts of retaliation, or revenge, for he
had said, “An eye for an eye would only make the whole world
blind.” To Gandhi, secularism meant respect for all religions.
His secularism came to represent the confluence of several
religions-a policy of sarva-dharma-sambhava (goodwill and
tolerance towards all). Gandhi went even further-respect for all
human beings. When asked, “Are you a Hindu?” he had replied,”
Yes, I am a Hindu, but I am also a Muslim, I am also a Buddhist,
I am also a Christian and I am also a Jew.” He wanted Hindus and
Muslims to live together in peace and harmony. During the
horrific, pre-partition carnage between Hindus and Muslims, a
distraught father whose son had been killed by Muslims, was
advised by Gandhi, not to resort to violence, but to adopt a
Muslim orphan and raise him as a Muslim!.
In her thoughtful speech, Ms. Minal Shah, a practicing Jain,
spoke about Shrimad Rajchandrabhai, a friend, philosopher and
guide who instilled in Gandhi a strong sense of reverence for
all living beings including animals. Jain philosophy had a huge
impact on Gandhi’s world view.Ahimsa (non-violence) is
compassion, understanding, truth, tolerance and non-aggression.
She described it as something to be practiced in daily life, in
one’s thoughts, actions and non-actions. Gandhiji was a true
embodiment of ahimsa.
Subash Razdan, the Founding member and currently the acting
Chairman of the GFUSA, thanked the NFIA representatives for
attending the program and then introduced the special guest, the
Honorable Consul General, S.M.Gavai. Hon. Gavai, born in Pune,
Maharashtra has a highly impressive track record of service in
the Indian Foreign Service. He served as High Commissioner,
Maldives before joining the Houston Cosulate.
The Consul-General echoed Frank Catroppa’s remarks that
individuals can make a difference. He said he was heartened to
see many youngsters in the audience and
complimented GFUSA for inspiring the young generation, who would
keep the legacy of Gandhi and Dr. King alive. He congratulated
GFUSA for organizing Gandhi’s birthday celebrations in the
Martin Luther King, Jr.,National Historic District.
As a jubilant tribute to Gandhiji, the talented Megan Philkana
and Tanya Kasmvis of Ravihri Komanduri School of Dance performed
a scintillating classical dance.
The GFUSA’s annual awards were presented by the Honorable Consul
General S.M.Gavai in presence of Community leaders.
This year, the Gandhi Foundation of USA Service Award was
presented to three organizations. NFIA, Kuchipudi Dance Academy
and Victory over Violence organization
Dr. Rajan Anand accepted the Gandhi Foundation of USA Service
Award on behalf of the NFIA. He thanked GFUSA for the Award and
appealed to the local associations to join the umbrella
organization, the NFIA, of which the Gandhi Foundation is also a
member.
Ravi and Sasikala Penumarthi accepted the Gandhi Foundation of
USA Service Award on behalf of the Kuchipudi Dance Academy,
Atlanta. Accepting the Award, Sasikala thanked the GFUSA for
giving her Academy an opportunity to stage Chandalika as the
first fundraiser for the Gandhi Center USA. She further thanked
Padmabhushan Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, for inspiring her.
Fred ‘V-man’ Watson accepted the Gandhi Foundation of USA
Service Award on behalf of Victory over Violence organization.
He thanked the GFUSA, his parents, and all his colleagues who
participated in the Civil Rights Movement. “Let’s continue
giving our best in memory of Gandhi” he said.
Antony Thaliath, Consul_gen. S.M.Gavai;Giriraj Rao,Dr. Uma
Majmudar,Subash Razdan Fred 'V-Man'Watson
Photo by Ashok Shah
The 2005 Peace Awardee Congressman John Lewis was received by
Special Guest, Director, Office of Economic Development ,
Ms.Gail Webb of Governor’e office. Accepting the Award on his
behalf, Gail praised Mr. Lewis as a man of peace and unity.
Lewis played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Georgia’s Secretary of State Cathy Cox sent a letter conveying
her best wishes to the GFUSA and commended Congressman Lewis for
his efforts to promote unity, equality and positive change,
exemplifying Gandhi’s powerful directive that “You must be the
change you wish to see in the world.”
Frank Catroppa accepted a donation from the GFUSA towards the
NPS Katrina Relief Fund, and said,” Six National Parks were hit
by Katrina and Rita. Four of our employees are currently helping
with the recovery efforts in Mississippi and Louisiana. We
appreciate and thank you for this gift.”
In her mellifluous voice, community activist, Neera Behl led the
audience in singing the Gandhi Anthem, “Vaishnava Janato’.
In her eloquent address, Dr. Uma Majmudar, a Professor in the
religion department of Emory University, who is also a Gandhian
scholar, and recent author of her debut book, Gandhi’s
pilgrimage of faith: From darkness to light, spoke about Gandhi
and his faith. Gandhi was a deeply spiritual and religious man
influenced by the thoughts of intellectuals like Thoreau,
Emerson, Tolstoy, Tagore and Ruskin. He also had a spiritual
mentor in Shrimad Rajchandra, the Jain scholar. Faith according
to Gandhi is not something to be grasped, but is an inner quest
of the soul. “It must begin with you. Be the change that you
wish to see”, Dr. Majmudar concluded.
Master of Ceremonies Viren Mayani exhorted the leaders of the
supporting Organizations who believed in peace, to take the
message to their members. He also recognized the attendance of
representatives from IPN, Raksha, FIA and Vibha. Subash Razdan
took this opportunity to recognize the exemplary initiative of
Yogesh Joshi of the IACA in collaborating with the King Center
in Gandhi celebrations in 1983.
Giriraj Rao peppered his words of thanks with quips and light
hearted talk. He indulged in a bit of nostalgia-how driving
downtown Atlanta on the historic but cold, wintry day of January
24, 1998-the day of installation and dedication of the Gandhi
Statue in Atlanta, he felt elated and like comedian Jackie
Gleason could not restrain from exclaiming, “How sweet it is.”
He went on to profusely thank all the participating
organizations, community members, and steadfast members of the
GFUSA, whose collective efforts are making the celebrations
better and better and better,” and today we have unique honor of
newly appointed Consul General attending the program.” He
complimented H.V.Shivadas for designing the colorful and
artistic program and the new GFUSA Poster, which will serve as
the visual representation of the GFUSA for the next decade. The
image is titled “ Pillars of Peace, The Inspiration and Legacy
of Mahatma Gandhi,” and features a photo of Gandhiji surrounded
by photos of those who influenced the development of his
philosophy, as well as those who were influenced by his life and
legacy and continue his work today.” The GFUSA is seven years
old. It stands for unity, respects all religions and faiths and
truly follows philosophies of Dr. King and Gandhi in actions,
words and activities. I urge the youth to come forward and carry
the torch. And finally I seek your support for the Gandhi Center
USA” he concluded.
All the attendees stood up and joined hands in singing the Civil
Rights Song, “We shall overcome,” led by H.V.Shivadas. After the
ceremonious cutting of Gandhi’s Birthday cake, the congregation
was served a delicious lunch catered by Atlanta’s well known
South Indian Café.
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