Celebration of 145th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

On October 2, 2014, the Consulate General of India, New York in collaboration with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan celebrated the 145th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Union Square Park, near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. About 70 persons participated in the function which included officers and staff of the Consulate General of India, New York, members of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, followers of Gandhian philosophy, representatives of public sector units and media persons. The event aroused a keen interest amongst the passers-by who also joined in the celebration.

The programme began with offering of floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi by the Consul General and other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Consul General Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay touched on the importance of Gandhiji's philosophy of Non-Violence and peaceful co-existence, which is illustrated by the observance of October 2 as International Day of Non- Violence. He also drew attention to the fact that the great Mahatma  influenced the life and thoughts of many great leaders and philosophers one such being  Albert Einstein, who described Gandhi as... "Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.”

Ambassador Mulay also informed the gathering of the Swachh Bharat Campaign launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi and administered the “Swachhata Pledge” (Pledge for cleanliness) to all Indians present.

Other officials who spoke on the occasion were Dr. P. Jayaraman, Founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, Dr. Navin Mehta, Mr. H. R. Shah and Mr. Kenny Desai.

The event concluded with a recital of Gandhiji's favourite bhajans by the music academy of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan followed by paying of floral tributes by the guests and others who participated in the event.

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