Dear Friends,
It is an honor for me to be present here with you in the magnificent premises of Salvation Army in New York to celebrate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This is indeed a very special occasion as we mark the culmination of a year long celebration of Gandhiji’s 150th Birth Anniversary.
Opening Remarks by Hon. Shatrughna SINHA, Deputy Consul General of India in New York
Just a week back on September 24, 2019 Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gandhi Peace Garden at SUNY Old Westbury campus. This is a unique gift to the people of New York. I would like to congratulate the Volunteers of Shanti Fund who collaborated with the Consulate General of India in this initiative of planting 150 trees to commemorate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. The trees planted in the Gandhi Peace Garden represent the 50 states of the United States. India is also a Union of States like the United States. The federal character of our two countries is an indication of our shared values. It is also noteworthy that the trees have been planted by a cooperative effort by requesting individuals and organisations to adopt trees in the true Gandhian way.
Shanti Fund has been a close partner of the Consulate in the year-long celebration of Gandhi@150. We have organized a number of events together. I am aware of the tremendous work being done by the Volunteers of Shanti Fund who became active first in 1993 at the time of the Latur earthquake. Shanti Fund has gone from strength to strength in building bridges between the India-American Community and mainstream America. I am also aware of the role of Shanti Fund in the installation of the Gandhi Statue in the Suffolk County Executive Building where it was unveiled on October 2, 1999. This is the first and perhaps still the only Gandhi Statue in which a local government approached an organization and the statue is located in the premises of the Government office in the United States. I also believe that on Long Island the Gandhi statue is the only statue of a foreign national. This itself speaks volumes for the work and dedication of Shanti Fund as well as the importance and relevance of the message of Gandhiji.
Although Gandhiji never visited the US, he also drew inspiration from this great country. It is well known that he read and followed Henry David Thoreau’s ideas. The Dandi March in 1930 to protest against the draconian salt tax imposed by the British authorities had strong resonances with the historic Boston Tea Party. During Satyagrah in 1932, Bapu wrote in Young India that “Even as America won its independence through suffering, valor and sacrifice, so shall India, in God’s good time achieve her freedom by suffering, sacrifice and non-violence.”
Probably Bapu was the first environmentalist of the modern era. He understood the relation between man and nature. As we all work towards solving the problem of climate change, we would be well-advised to heed to the Gandhian message of preventing over-exploitation of the natural resources and having a sustainable relationship with the environment. Bapu asked the students to be humble. Humility also makes one selfless. Gandhiji’s life of selfless service to others will definitely inspire generations of students from around the world as they take up new responsibilities.
Gandhiji was also a great innovator in politics. Who would have thought to fight oppression through non-violence? His ideas and philosophies have continued to inspire generations of leaders around the world including the United States. The civil rights movement in the United States led by Martin Luther King is a great example of how we can overcome hatred and bitterness through Gandhian principles.
This year as we celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, I am happy to note that a number of activities have been undertaken in the United States to mark this important landmark. Bills like the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative introduced by Congressman John Lewis will go a long way in drawing attention to importance of non-violence in conflict resolution. I am also happy to note that our Embassy and the Consulates in the United States have actively organized several Gandhi@150 events. These events will go a long way in bringing the Gandhian messages and values to the new generation Americans.
I again congratulate everyone involved in this important initiative of spreading Mahatma’s message by celebrating his 150th Birth Anniversary.
Thank you.
Jai Hind
Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission in NYC on October 1, 2019.
Website: www.indiainnewyork.gov.in
Face book- India-in-New York (Consulate-General-of-India-New-York)
Twitter- @IndiainNewYork
Event Photo Album – I:
GANDHI-150 “IN A GENTLE WAY, YOU CAN SHAKE THE WORLD“
Event Photo Album – II: MAHATMA GANDHI ~ THE MAN OF MILLENNIUM
– Photos by Demet DEMIRKAYA, Representative of The Light Millennium to the United Nations Department of Global Communications