Steve Hollingworth,Dr.Radhakrishnan,Rev.Love; Ambassador Sen,
Ma JayaSati Bhagavati,Isaac Farris singing Civil Rights Anthem

Ma Jaya sati Bhagavati with Isaac Farris, Ambassador Sen and GFUSA members

Atlanta’s well known singers Dr. Jaimini Dave and his wife Madhavi, with musicians Praful Desai and Kirit Gandhi led the gathering in singing one of Gandhi’s favorite Bhajans, ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’. After the bhajan, Ambassador Sen was joined by the distinguished guests Radhakrishnan, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagwati, Senior V.P.and Chief Financial Officer,CARE Foundation Joe Iarocci, Rev. Love and Dr. Joy Berry to the resplendent and towering statue of Mahatma Gandhi, where they took turns to light the ceremonial lamp (diya) and to garland the Statue amidst thundering ovation.
Razdan thanked the Indian Embassy, India Council for Cultural Relations and various community organizations as well as National Park Service, for making the installation of the Gandhi Statue in Atlanta possible which serves as a beacon for Non-violence and Peace for a million tourists who visit the Statue annually. Mr. Moore of National Park Service underscored the importance of the special linking of the King Center and the Gandhi Foundation with the common message espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. King, exemplified by the presence of the Gandhi Statue in the Park. He further conveyed greetings to all from his Superintendent, Judy Forte of the National Park Service.
The GFUSA Director of Operations, H.V. Shivadas extended his hearty welcome to all the Kashi Foundation devotees present at the Statue and requested them to continue attending future events organized by the GFUSA. H.E, Ambassador Sen and Ma then led the large and diverse gathering in a symbolic Peace March from the Statue to the Freedom Hall in the King Center.
At the Freedom Hall:
Razdan who co-presided the tribute at the Freedom Hall, thanked President and CEO of King Center, Isaac Newton Farris, a nephew of Coretta Scott King, for re-opening the doors of the Freedom Hall for the Gandhi Foundation. Razdan recalled the many fond memories of Gandhi and King Celebrations inside the Freedom Hall, especially of cherished participation by Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Mrs. Christina King Farris, calling this year’s event as homecoming. Razdan remembered that both Mrs. King and Mrs. Farris played such good hosts that they were invariably the last persons to leave the Freedom Hall after ensuring they met and fed all those who had come to pay homage at the Freedom Hall, year after year! Razdan beamed at the thought of being back again at the King Center which has witnessed so much of history and presence of so many dignitaries including Honorable Narasimha Rao (Former Prime Minister of India), Natwar Singh, and numerous Ambassadors. “This is where Gandhi really belongs and this was made possible courtesy magnanimity of Mr. Farris”, said Razdan.

President Isaac Farris welcomed the gathering to the King Center Freedom Hall and assured GFUSA of his full support, saying, “Treat this as your home and feel free to celebrate your events here.” (Applause) He recounted Martin Luther King’s and Coretta Scott King’s abiding reverence for Gandhi and his philosophy and the invaluable role of Mrs. Coretta Scott King in

	Ambassador Sen lighting the diya

 promoting Gandhi’s awareness by establishing the Gandhi Room in the Freedom Hall of the King Center and dedicating yet another Gandhi Room at the India Cultural and Religious Center in Smyrna, Georgia in 1995. The spirit of Gandhi has been a constant presence in their hearts and home-(Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi hung in their dining room). In the 1980’s she began the tradition of observing Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary in the King Center. He lauded GFUSA for continuing this tradition since 1997, when GFUSA was founded. He urged the audience to honor her life by personal transformation and striving to promote global non-violence, peace, equality and justice. (applause).
Dr. Shivadas began his recitation with chanting of Shanti Mantra ‘Om Sahnavavatu’ and then in his baritone voice, led the audience by rendering the song ‘Let there be peace on Earth.’
Bianca Fabre, a senior High School student, performed an elegant and captivating ballet dance, with a delicate little fan in her hand. This was followed by a scintillating dance by young, talented Samta Savla, to ‘vaishnava janato’ beautifully sung by her father Sandeep Savla, accompanied by Chintan Dave (Tarang Group visiting from Gujarat) on the drums. The dance was choreographed by Samta’s mother; Atlanta’s well known Nritya Natya Kala Bharati’s accomplished director Kumud Savla.
GFUSA has traditionally encouraged diverse young generation to learn about Gandhi and his philosophy. It was heartening to listen to Gandhi quotes by students. Husain Bharmal, a 3rd year medical student, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana began with Gandhi’s quote on Non-violence- cowardice.” "Non-violence and cowardice are contradictory terms. Non-violence is the greatest virtue, cowardice the greatest vice. Non-violence springs from love, cowardice from hate. Non-violence always suffers, cowardice would always inflict suffering. Perfect non-violence is the highest bravery. Non-violent conduct is never demoralizing, cowardice always is."

He was followed by Radha Yerramilli, a 7th Grader at Greater Atlanta Christian School, who quoted Albert Einstein on Gandhi, “Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a man in flesh and blood once trod upon this earth.” May the Mahatma’s light of love illuminate the hearts of nations and individuals! May his spirit bless us all with the vision and strength to realize in our everyday life all his lofty ideals of truth, purity, non-violence and faith in the Divine! May we never forget the man who lived for us all and always remember that ‘The Mahatma’ walked on this earth.’

Ms. Betsy Rivard, President of United Nations Association-USA, Atlanta Chapter, gave a brief perspective to the UN Declaration of Non-Violence Day. UN General Assembly on Friday, June 15,2007, unanimously adopted the Indian Resolution, co-sponsored by 142 member countries of the UN to declare Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, as the International Day of Non-violence. She said that the text, by Anand Sharma, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, said the idea of promoting the resolution originated from the Declaration adopted at the “International Conference on Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment -– Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century”, which articulated a collective yearning to address hunger and poverty. Mr. Sharma had said in the UN that the wide co-sponsorship of the draft resolution in the UN reflected the universal respect that Mahatma Gandhi commanded…
Rev. Love conveyed congratulations and good wishes on behalf of National President and CEO of the SCLC, Charles Steele, Jr. and also expressed his joy in attending the Gandhi Birth Anniversary celebrations.
After the introduction of His Excellency by Antony Thaliath, soft spoken Ambassador Sen in his keynote address commended the King Center and GFUSA for its vision and abiding reverence for the messages of two great apostles of peace, Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. He said Gandhi’s 138th Birthday celebrations were special because of 60th anniversary of India’s independence. He quoted Dr King, who when on his visit to India in March 1959, said “Gandhi was able to mobilize and galvanize more people in his lifetime than any other person in the history of this world. And just with a little love and understanding goodwill and a refusal to cooperate with an evil law, he was able to break the backbone of the British Empire. This, I think, was one of the most significant things that ever happened in the history of the world. More than 390 million people achieved their freedom, and they achieved it nonviolently.” Sen recalled his association with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who firmly believed India’s independence to be incomplete without end of apartheid in South Africa. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence helped many civil rights movements in the world. Gandhi fought for the poor and the downtrodden. Sen quoted poet laureate Tagore, “Gandhi stopped at the thresholds of thousands of dispossessed, dressed like them, and spoke with them in their own language. Here was the living truth at last. “He fought against the evils of untouchability (an evil like racism),and dowry which are now treated as criminal offences. Because of him, the Government of India has launched many affirmative programs for uplifting backward classes. Since his return from South Africa, many African-Americans interacted with him, either through personal visits to India or through correspondence. Gandhi’s interest in vegetarianism is well known. He had interesting correspondence on the subject with the world-renowned black educator and agricultural chemist, and also a vegetarian, Dr. George Washington Carver. When Martin Luther King went to India, he said, “To other countries I may go as a tourist but to India I come as a pilgrim. India means to me Mahatma Gandhi. “Gandhi was a practical dreamer. Dr. King also had a dream. Both were assassinated but their dreams live on to inspire millions across the globe. Ambassador, then informed the audience of the Mahatma Gandhi Global Non-violence Award bestowed on Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of South Africa, for his vigorous anti-apartheid activism in South Africa, by James Madison University’s Gandhi Center, on International Day of Peace, Friday, September 21.
9/11 of the 20th Century when Gandhi initiated a peaceful, non-violent struggle against apartheid regime in South Africa, and 9/11 of the 21st Century marked by hatred and violence, were diametrically opposite in nature. The choice as Coretta Scott King points out is crystal clear and that is the path of non-violence shown by Gandhi and her husband Dr. King”. Ambassador concluded his riveting speech by advising the audience not to put Gandhi on a pedestal and treat him like a saint but respect him and try and live his dream.(Thunderous applause)
Radhakrishnan said that NFIA is very proud to have played a major role in pioneering the vision of having a memorial, Statue for Gandhi in 1998 and making the dream of leaving a glorious legacy of Gandhi and Dr. King come true with the help of Embassy of India, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the Mayor of the city of Atlanta, and major community organizations. He congratulated Gandhi Foundation for promoting awareness of Gandhi and King; and especially thanked Isaac Farris and the King Center“. (applause).

The Gandhi Foundation has been very selective about bestowing its prestigious Humanitarian awards annually to the most deserving. This year, GFUSA bestowed Humanitarian Awards to CARE USA and Ma Jaya Sati Bhagawati of Kashi Foundation.

Steve Hollingworth and all members of CARE Foundation present were invited on stage by presiding officer Razdan. Ambassador Sen and CEO of King Center Isaac Farris did the honors in company of GF Officers. Receiving the Humanitarian Award on behalf of CARE was Steve Hollingworth. CARE, the well known, Atlanta-based, international humanitarian organization, was honored for its many year’s of service to the poorest communities in the world.
Razdan then invited the other recipient, Ma of the Kashi Foundation on the stage to receive the award for her selfless service to humanity. Accepting the Award, Ma said that she was honored to participate in the Gandhi Birthday celebrations. “Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King whose spirits I have touched in my heart for my whole life and there are no words that can ever express my love and admiration for them. “She spoke about her work serving the poor and sick through the establishment of the Kashi Foundation in 1976 and the subsequent establishment of Kashi Service Centers and Ashrams throughout the US, Africa and India. She explained that the underlying teachings of Kashi Foundation were based completely on service and love. Ma is an accomplished artist, author and speaker with a wonderful sense of humor. Her humanitarian work can be summed up by her quote: “If you touch just one person, you have changed the world.”(Thunderous applause)
An exuberant Giriraj Rao began his formal vote of thanks with the famous Jackie Gleason quote ‘how sweet it is’ (laughter). He thanked Isaac Farris for opening the doors of the Freedom Hall for the GFUSA. He recalled Coretta King’s, calling her the matriarch of the GFUSA, participation in Gandhi Birthday celebrations since 1983. In 2004, Mrs. King was bestowed with the first Gandhi Peace Award by the GFUSA.(applause)He said Gandhi’s challenge ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world ‘is taking root and we can optimistically hope for humanity to respect non-violence and universal peace. He urged the audience to rekindle the spirit that made the King Center famous. He profusely thanked all the participating organizations, community members and members of the GFUSA for their volunteerism and philanthropy.
Charlotte Cain and the choir of youth from Az1 and Komplete led the audience in singing the reverberating Civil Rights Anthem ‘We shall overcome”
After the ceremonial cutting of Gandhi’s birthday cake, the congregation was served delectable snacks catered by Udippi Restaurant.
The year 2007 saw the turn of Isaac Farris to play the host at the foyer, ensuring all went home happy in the tradition of the legacy of his family. The Indian American community left the Freedom Hall convinced the torch of Gandhi and King continues to be the lighthouse for humanity at the famous Sweet Auburn.