BY MAHADEV DESAI

Atlanta, a city too busy to hate, was once again buzz with the high powered visit by the 15 member delegation from Karnataka. Needless to add, no visit is consummated auspicious unless the visitors pay homage to Gandhi and King at the Gandhi Statue. At the Historic Site, are enshrined the memorials of the world’s two greatest icons, beloved father of India, Mohandas Gandhi and leader of American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Gandhi Foundation of USA (GFUSA), a national organization based in Atlanta committed to spread the message of peace and non-violence of the two greatest apostles of peace Gandhi and King, hosted the visiting Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri B.S. Yediyurappa and his delegation at the MLK Jr. National Historic Site on a beautiful Atlanta morning of the Labor Day.

Chairman of GFUSA, Subash Razdan greeted the large gathering of the visiting delegation, diverse cross-section of communities in Georgia, representing Georgia organizations, community activists, officers of the GFUSA, and the Consul General of India, S.M. Gavai from Houston accompanying the delegation. The Executive Director, GFUSA, Antony Thaliath informed the attendees that the Gandhi Statue , the first Statue on a Federal land in the USA, serves as the gateway for diversity of Atlanta. The life-size, resplendent statue attracts over 800,000 visitors from all over the world who come to express their love and admiration, pay their respects and get inspiration from his philosophy of non-violence and universal peace.

Sri Yediyurappa joined by the distinguished guests garlanded the Gandhi Statue amidst thunderous ovation. Addressing the gathering, Sri Yediyurappa said, “I feel proud but also humbled to be present at this historic site where two great souls are immortalized. Mahatma Gandhi was the embodiment of truth and non-violence and Dr. King was his true disciple. These two great souls inspire us to fight injustice and oppression and uphold human dignity and freedom. Let us derive inspiration from their exemplary lives and endeavor to help humanity to the utmost."(applause)

Razdan escorted the delegation to the Visitor Center, where they viewed the exhibits relating to the Civil Rights Movement followed by a quick glance of the hallowed Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr.King shook the conscience of the world by his rousing sermons. The Chief Minister and his two ministers laid wreaths and paid homage at the white marble crypts of Dr. King and his beloved wife Coretta Scott King, in the center of a long reflecting pool near the eternal flame of the Freedom Walkway. At the next stop at the Freedom Hall, they viewed the exhibits and memorabilia relating to of the King Family in the King room. In the Gandhi Room, portraits and artifacts pertaining to Gandhi donated in 1987 at the time of dedication of the Gandhi room held the visitors in spellbind. At Razdan's request, the Chief Minister graciously agreed to donate on behalf of the State of Karnataka a computer and an interactive console with software which could be used to help visitors learn about the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

From the Gandhi Room, all proceeded to the Rosa Parks Room, which honors courageous Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus led to the famous Montgomery Bus boycott- the spark that ignited the Civil Rights movement. The memorable visit concluded at Dr.King's birth home at 501 Auburn Avenue as the cameras clicked and the footage rolled non-stop for the two hour historic tour!