The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA) is a prominent national organization based in Atlanta steadfastly committed to spreading the message of peace and non-violence as advocated by the two world’s greatest apostles of peace - Gandhi and King.
GFUSA celebrated 67th Independence Day of India on Thursday, August 15 with patriotic fervor in the foreground of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the MLK Jr. National Historic Site, down town, Atlanta.
Independence Day celebration follows the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and King’s riveting speech “I have a Dream” and is scheduled for August 28 in different cities across America.
 
Swami Adhyatmananda, president of Sivananda Ashram, Ahmadabad who had the rare privilege to sit on the lap of Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati Ashram when he was two, three years old was the chief guest. His grandparents spent their entire life with Mahatma Gandhi in Wardha. It is noteworthy that his grandparents walked along with Bapuji in the historic Dandi march.
After paying his reverential homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Swamiji in his brief message said that he was happy to be in Atlanta standing in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the memorable occasion of the Indian Independence Day.
Swamiji said, “I am not saying, in one of Dr. King’s talk, he said, never bow down to the injustice because when you are bow down to injustice you are doing injustice to whole just people around the globe. Swamiji said It is very essential that you have to struggle. 100 years before the president of United States of America was shot dead. He raised the voice. He said this color, white and black business should go. 50 years before on August 28 Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. raised the voice. He was assassinated. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. Once Mahatma Gandhi was asked to give up war for independence and we will make you great. Gandhiji said nation first, society next and self is last and least. Swamiji said ‘more and more I think what for Mahatma Gandhi has to struggle, what for Dr. King has to struggle. It was a struggle for perfection; it was a struggle for non violence”
Talking about the rampant violence witnessed in all parts of the world, Swamiji said “I was pondering what’s happening, why people cannot think Mahatma Gandhi, why people can’t think Dr. King, why people cannot think Nelson Mandela. May be a walk too long, but it is sure. It is a struggle for perfection, a long way to go. It will bring understanding, mutual love, mutual affection, and mutual reverence. Nothing will be lacking in it. When you go like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Bapuji or Nelson Mandela or any other struggle those were done good for nation on the path of truth, on the way to Ahimsa or so called path of Non violence, they were leaving the life of serenity, regularity, absence of vanity, sincerity, simplicity, veracity, equanimity, fixity, non irritability, adaptability, humility, tenacity, integrity, magnanimity, mobility, charity, generosity, purity, because they have in their heart nationality which we cannot learn in so called Atlanta universities. So we have to come only to the feet of such persons like Mahatma Gandhi. When Dr. King is speaking you feel that he is speaking with the heart of Bapuji.”
Swamiji concluded his message by saying, “may you rejoicing mutual love, mutual affection, mutual reverence and mutual commitment forgetting black and white, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or different cast and creed. We belong to him only single father, a father of heaven who is known to be in different names and forms. Bharat mata ki jai…….US bhrata (brother) ki jai”.
In beginning, Swamiji led the gathering by rendering Bapuji’s favorite songs vaishnav janato….. and Raghupati Raghava….
Ajit Kumar, Consul General of India in Atlanta, who graced the occasion at King’s center conveyed greetings to Atlanta Indian community on behalf of Government of India and briefed the audience about India’s progress and the ongoing Indo-US relations.
 

Consul General unfurling National Flag at Atlanta Consulate

In her brief message, Ms. Clair Angelle, International Affairs Director of the city of Atlanta conveyed greeting on behalf of city of Atlanta.

In his introductory remarks, Subash Razdan briefed audience about the mission of the Gandhi foundation of USA, the historical background of the installation of Gandhi statue in king Center and GFUSA partnership with King Center. He introduced all the dignitaries present to the audience in a befitting manner.
While welcoming the dignitaries and guests, Antony Thaliath, Executive Director of GFUSA said that the 65th anniversary of India's independence is being celebrated at a very special place; at the foreground of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation and it is all the more befitting that all are at the holy grounds of this nation's civil rights movement, at The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Antony appreciated the relentless support of national park service officials and community to Gandhi foundation of USA.
Mohsin Bharmal, director of GFUSA proposed vote of thanks.
Earlier, Peace walk from Mahatma Gandhi statue to King crypts and homage at the crypts preceded the program at the statue.

Consul General of India in Atlanta, Ajit Kumar unfurled Indian National Flag at the new Consulate General of India in Atlanta at 10 AM on Thursday, August 15 at a Flag Hoisting Ceremony to celebrate the Independence Day of India.  

The Flag Hoisting was followed by singing of the national anthem. Consul General, Ajit Kumar read out the Address to the Nation on the eve of Independence Day delivered by Hon. Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India.
Independence Day celebrations at IACA and TAMA
India America Cultural Association (IACA) and Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA) also celebrated Independence Day of India in a fitting manner
 

National flag unfurled at TAMA