Karnataka’s Chief Minster
and his delegation pay homage to
Mahatma Gandhi
and Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta.
Text and photo
by Mahadev Desai
Atlanta, a city too busy to hate, was once again buzz with the
high powered visit by the 15 member delegation from Karnataka.
Needless to add, no visit is consummated auspicious unless the
visitors pay homage to Gandhi and King at the Gandhi Statue. At
the Historic Site, are enshrined the memorials of the world’s
two greatest icons, beloved father of India, Mohandas Gandhi and
leader of American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.
The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA), a national organization
based in Atlanta committed to spread the message of peace and
non-violence of the two greatest apostles of peace Gandhi and
King, hosted the visiting Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri
B.S.Yeddyurappa and his delegation at the MLK Jr. National
Historic Site on a beautiful Atlanta morning of the Labor Day.
Chairman of GFUSA, Subash Razdan greeted the large gathering of
the visiting delegation, diverse cross-section of communities in
Georgia, representing Georgia organizations, community
activists, officers of the GFUSA, and the Consul General of
India, S.M. Gavai from Houston accompanying the delegation. The
Executive Director, GFUSA, Antony Thaliath informed the
attendees that the Gandhi Statue , the first Statue on a Federal
land in the USA, serves as the gateway for diversity of Atlanta.
The life-size, resplendent statue attracts over 800,000 visitors
from all over the world who come to express their love and
admiration, pay their respects and get inspiration from his
philosophy of non-violence and universal peace.
Sri Yeddyuruppa joined by the distinguished guests garlanded the
Gandhi Statue amidst thunderous ovation. Addressing the
gathering, Sri Yeddyuruppa said, “I feel proud but also humbled
to be present at this historic site where
 two great souls are
immortalized. Mahatma Gandhi was the embodiment of truth and
non-violence and Dr. King was his true disciple. These two great
souls inspire us to fight injustice and oppression and uphold
human dignity and freedom. Let us derive inspiration from their
exemplary lives and endeavor to help humanity to the utmost."(applause)
Razdan escorted the delegation to the Visitor Center, where they
viewed the exhibits relating to the Civil Rights Movement
followed by a quick glance of the hallowed Ebenezer Baptist
Church, where Dr.King shook the conscience of the world by his
rousing sermons. The Chief Minister and his two ministers laid
wreaths and paid homage at the white marble crypts of Dr. King
and his beloved wife Coretta Scott King, in the center of a long
reflecting pool near the eternal flame of the Freedom Walkway.
At the next stop at the Freedom Hall, they viewed the exhibits
and memorabilia relating to of the King Family in the King room.
In the Gandhi Room, portraits and artifacts pertaining to Gandhi
donated in 1987 at the time of dedication of the Gandhi room
held the visitors in spellbind. At Razdan's request, the Chief
Minister graciously agreed to donate on behalf of the State of
Karnataka a computer and an interactive console with software
which could be used to help visitors learn about the life and
teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
From the Gandhi Room, all proceeded to the Rosa Parks Room,
which honors courageous Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her
seat on a bus led to the famous Montgomery Bus boycott- the
spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. The memorable
visit concluded at Dr.King's birth home at 501 Auburn Avenue as
the cameras clicked and the footage rolled non-stop for the two
hour historic tour!
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