MILPITAS, CA: The 11th Annual Gandhi Day or World Non-Violence and Peace Day was celebrated on October 5. This grassroots event, co sponsored by The Milpitas Public Library and managed by Indian-American Org, commemorated the 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The objective and focus was on the legacy of non-violence, peace, leadership and community service imparted to attendees which included children and youth and adults, via a myriad of activities. Over 250 people, including 100 children, attended the event held at the Milpitas Public Library Auditorium.
The event started with a short address on World Peace by Native American Yannis of San Jose and Mansur Nur (69) a Gandhian who spoke on the legacy of non violence. Attendees were regaled with a myriad of activities at the “World Nonviolence & Peace Day”, in Milpitas, as young artist Ms Pearl Raina (10) displayed her sketches of Gandhiji, Martin Luther King Jr and Salt Satyagraha March. She was joined by High Tech entrepreneur and sketch artist Menon Ramkrishna – who presented his breathtaking sketch of Mahatma Gandhi to the non profit organization MAITRI.
The Artwork and Display section drew nearly 50 children, with more trickling in to participate in other activities like performances of song, dance. Speeches followed one after another. The organized manner of performances drew admiration and applause from Chief Guests City of Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves and San Jose City Council member Ash Kalra.
“We are pleased with the response of the community. Even before the doors opened, we had a long line of people waiting to get in and the cross section was across all age groups” said organizer Sam Rao of www.indian-american.org.
The Mayor of Milpitas Jose Esteves, handed a proclamation from the City of Milpitas to organizers and remarked, “It is a great theme and much needed in the world. It is a great honor to have such a program continued to be hosted in Milpitas and it is encouraging to see young people involved with enthusiasm and children being inspired and learning good values”.
India Post News Service
