CHICAGO: Chicago celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary with a difference this time. The one year old Gandhi Peace Center announced hosting of a grand celebration with unfurling of the largest ever Indian tricolor at Lions Park District in the suburb of Hanover Park in heavy presence of front ranking local political leaders and prominent Indian community members.
This was done in the afternoon in the open but it was preceded by a traditional Gandhi Jayanti celebration at the Skokie Heritage Park before a life-sized statue of the Mahatma. The Gandhi Memorial Trust has been hosting this event year in and year out regularly rain or shine.
Skokie and surrounding community residents gathered around the life-sized Gandhi statue in Skokie in a ceremony sponsored by the Gandhi Memorial Trust and celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on Sunday, Oct, 2 at Heritage Park in Skokie along with elected officials and dignitaries.
Gandhi Memorial Trust chairman Omprakash Kamaria, Skokie Mayor George VanDusen delivered the remarks. Today is the reminder that we need to follow a peaceful means of achieving results and this idea is applicable to all aspect of life, Kamaria commented. He also mentioned that instead of a large gathering with hundreds of people and dozens of figureheads and elected officials, trustees of Gandhi Memorial Trust decided to scale down the event and make it more accessible to the community as a whole. The event becomes less formal as people were invited to attend at their leisure throughout the day to pay their respects and reflect on Gandhi’s message.
Skokie mayor said in his message that the statue looks more beautiful than at the time of inauguration in 2004. He reminded that the inaugural event was a historic one and was well attended and the village had to close the McCormick Blvd. that day.
He also reminded the importance of peace and of Gandhi’s teaching. Village of Skokie also issued the proclamation for the period from Sept, 11, 2011 thru Oct, 2, 11 as a Peace and Harmony Unity Month. He also mentioned that this was most satisfying project that he was part of.
Mr. Satish Chander, trustee explained the meaning of Raghupatirajaram to the non-Indian audience.
Susan Van Dusen, one of the founders of coming together in Skokie, said Gandhi peaceful means Roshashanna to the Jewish and this Jewish holiday remind her of Gandhi.
Skokie Park District displayed peace quotations from world peace leaders throughout the month on the Electronic signboard to remind everyone about the importance of peace in daily life.
Trustee Dr. Modi mentioned about the peaceful protest in India by Anna Hazare.
Hon. Daniel Bliss, State Rep. attended the event and remarked that he wanted to make sure to be part of the ceremony and pay respects in spite of his busy schedule.
North East University professor of management Mr. Hamid Akbari said that the current peaceful agitation started in Iran to protest the irregularities of Iranian election and spread throughout the Middle East against the regimes there.
Air India Airport manager also attended the ceremony and helped with the tasks. Dr. Sonty, trustee mentioned that simple changes like not using violent words will go long way create a positive atmosphere, e.g. do not use words like hate.
Mr. Raman Patel, President of United Senior Parivar mentioned that Gandhi saw God in every living being and Father of Nation title was given to him by Subhash Chandra Bose even though they differed in their approach for achieving freedom.
At the end, a packet of dry fruits were distributed by Trustees Usha Kamaria, Mira Chander and Dina Modi as Prasad to all attendees.
Asian Media Usa
