BABU TANGEWALA
Dallas, Texas: A large number of non-resident Indians attended a Gandhi Banquet as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Mahatma Gandhi organized by Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas (MGMNT) in Park Plaza Tower, Dallas. MGMNT secretary Rao Kalvala welcomed the gathering.
Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter Ela Gandhi, chief guest of honor, in her keynote speech stated that Kasturba Gandhi had been very supportive of Gandhi in many aspects, and that she was at least one step ahead of him, proving that there is a woman behind the success of every man. She gave a fine speech on the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi through a power point presentation.
Kasturba married Gandhi at the age of 13, did her studies under Gandhi’s initiative and traveled to South Africa with him. Kasturba Gandhi is said to be the first person to introduce Gandhiji to Satyagraha movement and its power. She expressed hope that her grandmother, Kasturba Gandhi, who at that time was very aware of women’s mobility and empowerment, should be an ideal for women today.
A special souvenir created by MGMNT was unveiled by Ela Gandhi on this occasion. She was subsequently felicitated by the MGMNT Board of Directors.
MGMNT chairman Dr Prasad Thotakura said that it was remarkable that Kasturba Gandhi’s 150th Jayanti also fell this year.
“Gandhi’s principles and philosophy are ideal for many Nobel laureates, national and world leaders,” Thotakura said. “Gandhiji’s ambitions and ideals will continue to flourish for years to come.”
Thotakura thanked those who made huge donations along with the Irving City officials for their support in building the largest Gandhi memorial in Dallas, Irving, in 2014. The MGMNT Board also felicitated the prime donors.
Professor Clayborn Carson, Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research Center at Stanford University, said that Gandhi’s ambitions and theories were followed by King, and that King had organized civil rights movements in the United States.
Former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Mandali Buddhaprasad said that peace is possible only through non-violence and Gandhi’s theories are always ideal. He said that all people should walk the path prescribed by Gandhi.
Puducherry Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said that the largest statue of Gandhi has been set up in a large park in Yanam at a cost of Rs 11 crore and it will be named as Gandhi Park in January.
Gollanapalli Prasad, chairman of the Gandhi King Foundation, said that everyone should follow Gandhi’s life and principles to enjoy a peaceful life. A special dance performance by Nrutyashakti Dance Academy students choreographed on Gandhi was well appreciated by the audience.
A special photo exhibition on Gandhi containing several oil paintings and pencil drawings was presented by artist Jigar Soni from Gujarat. MGMNT Board of Directors felicitated Burra Siva Vara Prasad, who made a sculpture of Gandhi in Dallas. Burra has received many honors and awards, including a special award from the President of India.
The Gandhi birth anniversary celebrations host committee members Ranna Jani, Anand Dasari, Dr Sat Gupta, Srikanth Polavarapu, Shabnam Modgil, Gutta Venkat, Murali Vennam, Sante Chari, John Hammond, Rajendra Vankawala and Sridhar Tummala were felicitated along with volunteers Puligandla Vishwanadham, Dinesh Hooda, Anil Rathe, Mahender Rao, Rajiv Kamath and Urmit Singh.
