Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary celebrations across the US

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

On the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, every corner of the US commemorated the occasion in their own way to honor the Indian idol. Hundreds of people gathered in cities across the US to celebrate the birthday, with speakers describing his preaching of non-violence as more than ever relevant in today’s world.

In the Embassy of India in Washington DC, the Ambassador of India in the USA, Taranjit Singh Sandhu paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Plaza.

Ambassador Sandhu addressed the event and said: “The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial that stands tall in front of the Embassy today is a testimony to the ideals that India and the United States share, the values that we cherish.”

The event also featured a message from Srimati Karuna, Director of the Gandhi Centre in DC, and special performances from various artists in the US and the India. On 1st October, the Embassy held a virtual Gandhi Katha session (narration of stories of Mahatma Gandhi) with Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna, which saw the participation of more than 9000 persons.

In California, Consul General in San Francisco Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad(above photo) paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhiji in San Francisco to conclude the Gandhi’s 150 celebrations, CGI San Francisco in the Grand Finale has webcast two programs on two subjects dear to Mahatma.

On day one on Oct 1, the event featured ‘Vaishnava Janato by Padmabhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain along with renowned artists in Bay Area. The second on Oct 2, the event featured ‘Khadi’ fashion show by Women Entrepreneurs in Bay Area. Khadi is getting popularity in the west due to its breathability and environment friendliness. Gandhi has been an inspiration to Martin Luther King and John Lewis in the US. Gandhi and his ideals live on”.

The Consul General of India, New York  Randhir Jaiswal along with members of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and International Ahimsa Foundation marked Gandhiji’s birth anniversary and International Day of Non-violence by paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Union Square in New York on Oct.2.

Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi spoke in Florida, at his statue in the town of Davie. The event was also attended by the Indian Consul General in Atlanta, Dr. Swati Vijay Kulkarni.

Rajmohan in addition to his scholarly discourse added a few remembrances of his childhood in the company of ‘Bapu’ and ‘Ba’ (Kasturba).

Gandhiji’s birth anniversary was also celebrated in Bellevue, Washington state, at Gandhi Memorial Center in Bethesda, Maryland and by Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan in New York.