Atlanta, GA: The Gandhi Foundation of USA observed the 142nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with a memorable program that included screening of Sir Attenborough’s award-winning film Gandhi. A part of the celebrations were held at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Center Theater at Underground Atlanta.
The main celebration marking 142nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi befittingly took place in front of the Gandhi statue located in Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site on Sunday, October 02, by the Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA) in cooperation with the King Center, National Park Service and other partner organizations.

The celebration was attended by a diverse cross-section of communities in Georgia and graced by Honorable Ajit Kumar, Consulate General of India in Atlanta who was the Keynote Speaker. The day’s program at the Statue commenced with the soul-stirring singing of Raghupati Raghava Rajaram and Vaishnava Janato. After garlanding Gandhi Statue, the Consulate General designate delivered his key note address.
The Consulate General designate paid glowing tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He said that several world leaders’ drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and philosophy. Ajit Kumar regretted that though we have completed the first decade of 21st century, we are still confronted with acts of violence, religious fundamentalism, global terrorism etc.
The speaker claimed that for a civilization to progress the Gandhi approach still has a lot of meaning and relevance. He stressed that Gandhi philosophy may hold the key to human survival in 21st century as was once stated by Nelson Mandela.
Whether we have the courage and fortitude to follow Gandhi’s teachings is the moot point, he added. Ajit Kumar was earlier Consulate General of India in Durban and he recalled the days of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa where Gandhi lived for 20 years
He remarked that Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and inherent spirituality have a profound influence not only on Indian people but on all freedom loving people of the world. The fact that we are celebrating the occasion at the King Center bears ample testimony how Gandhi’s thinking has impacted nations sans borders.
 

While narrating so many incidents that happened in the life of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, the Consulate General said Mahatma Gandhi used South Africa as laboratory and performed his experiments with Truth. He came to India thereafter to lead satyagraha movement and to launch the historic freedom struggle through non violence.
The major contribution of Mahatma Gandhi was to involve the masses in the freedom movement. This national uprising had profound impact in all erstwhile colonies of Asia, Africa and Latin America. As a result colonial rule came to an end and the mighty British Empire was shown its size.

Ajit Kumar said Mahatma Gandhi had founded Phoenix Ashram in Durban where he practiced what he preached. Gandhi had an uncanny sense of humor. Once rebutting a criticism that he was wearing his usual loin cloth, sandals and shawl when he was invited to tea by King George and Queen Mary of England, he said the king had worn enough for both of them.
The speaker reminded the audience that Mahatma Gandhi has equipped us with three guiding principles -Ahimsa (non violence), Satyagraha and Sarvodaya (uplifting all). It is these cardinal principles that we have to rediscover if we want to meet today’s challenges.


While introducing Honorable Ajit Kumar, Consulate General of India in Atlanta designate, Subash Razdan, founding Chairman of GFUSA said this great day has two significances - one, Ajit Kumar will make history by being the first Consulate General of India in Atlanta and secondly, October 2nd is a day of peace, non violence, tolerance and a day of partnership and cooperation. The celebrations mark a great partnership with King Center, National Park Service, Georgia Humanities Council, national organizations and Indian community at large. Subash assured the incoming Consulate General full support from the community.
Since the CG was visiting Atlanta first time, Subash gave a brief history of the dedication of the Gandhi Statue and the endeavor to make the dream come true. He further said the installation and dedication of the Gandhi Statue in the M.L. King. Jr., National Historic Site has historic significance because it is the first time that the U S Department of the Interior, which administers the National Park Service and historic sites, has deviated from norms and permitted such a memorial on Federal lands.
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) - the largest grassroots national umbrella organization in the USA - with the support of the Embassy of India, the Government of India, the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, the King Center, and the Georgia Human Relations Commission, a number of Indian-American, Asian-American, African-American and other mainstream community organizations all came together driven by a spirit of unity and enthusiasm for this memorial to take shape.
The dream became a reality with the installation and dedication of the Statue of the Mahatma on the cold and windy morning of January 24, 1998 by the Honorable Andrew Young. The Statue is proving to be a star attraction as more than million visitors come to the King Historic site annually to marvel and pay homage to MLK Jr. and the Mahatma.
Syam Yellamraju announced that a mega play Gandhi is scheduled to be presented by GFUSA on January 15, 2012 during the birth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Spelling out the details, Syam said the play is not about the biography of Gandhi but about the historic deeds of Gandhi including the civil disobedience movement, non violent struggle, satyagraha, civil rights movement etc., He also said that they have plans to go around various cities of USA and guaranteed the drama will be a grand show.
Earlier, The Executive Director, GFUSA, Antony Thaliath welcomed the key note speaker Ajit Kumar and other dignitaries who included, besides the representatives of Georgia Organizations, social and community activists, university students and visitors from outside Georgia, and officers of GFUSA.

Consulate General of India in Atlanta start functioning from Huston
Ajit Kumar, Consulate General of India in Atlanta designate was in Atlanta attending couple of functions in the community. He told this reporter  that his appointment is yet to be announced officially by the protocol officer. He said it is indeed an honor and privilege to attend Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. It is the first official function of the CG designate in Atlanta.
On his posting to Atlanta, honorable Ajit Kumar said it is a great honor for him to represent India in Atlanta. The desire of eight southern states is being fulfilled in having their own Indian consulate here. The community is looking forward to opening a consulate in Atlanta, for these eight southern states to have better interaction and improved relations with India.
He also informed that Atlanta consulate has not yet been opened, because certain formalities have to be completed. He said they are looking for a suitable building and also recruiting staff. He hoped that in a few months they will be able to function and till then Houston consulate will be looking after Atlanta consular work. At the appropriate time, the Atlanta consulate will formally announce its opening.