BY MAHADEV DESAI

So beholden was Nelson Mandela to Mahatma Gandhi who had spent almost 21 years in the prime of his life in South Africa that he publicly asserted “Gandhi was a South African and his memory deserves to be cherished.” This was emphasized in her passionate and eloquent speech by Maya Raidoo, one of the members of the South African delegation who said that in 1946, Gandhi conceded that he was born in India but made in South Africa. 

Gandhi’s faith in non-violent protest and doctrine of Satyagraha (soul force) became constant lodestars for Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr. These contributions, similarities in the philosophies and methods in their fights against racial injustice, oppression and discrimination by the triumvirate of legendary world icons, India’s Mahatma Gandhi, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and United State’s Martin Luther King,Jr. were highlighted by eminent guest speakers at the best ever 135th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, organized by the Gandhi Foundation of USA, Atlanta, GA(GFUSA); in collaboration with the India American Cultural Association,(IACA);the National Federation of Indian American Associations, Washington D.C.(NFIA);African American Renaissance,Inc.; Federation of Indian American Association, Georgia (FIA); Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Inc.and supporting community Organizations Indian American Forum for Political Education; Senior Citizens Incorporated; South Asians for Unity; Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta, and Victory over Violence, International Campaign, Inc. The celebrations were held on Saturday, October 9, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Visitors Center and historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. 

This year’s inspiring, moving and memorable event was even more special as it was graced by the presence of India’s Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Ronen Sen India’s Consul-General, the Honorable S.R. Tayal, Assistant Secretary of State Terrell Slayton; and Martin Luther King III, son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most significant was the participation of the African-American community and the delegation from South Africa. This year’s theme was “The passion and compassion of Gandhi, and the relevance of his teachings in today’s world.”

The day began at the Gandhi Statue in the National Historic Site Visitors Center where the Mistress of Ceremonies, Leela Kaul welcomed all and requested Consul-General Tayal to light the traditional (diya) lamp. Dr.Thrivikraman, the Secretary, GFUSA, introduced Hon. Tayal. Hon. Tayal made welcoming remarks and spoke on the importance and relevance of Gandhi in the world today. He also touched upon the universal appeal of Gandhi’s philosophy citing examples of Lech Walesa in Poland, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, whom he had the pleasure of meeting personally. Krishna Kali Bakshi in her mellifluous voice led the assembly in singing one of Gandhiji’s favorite prayer songs, Raghupati Raghava. Consul-General Tayal then proceeded near the resplendent, life-size, bronze Statue of Gandhiji and flanked by Terrell Slayton, and members of the GFUSA, garlanded the Statue. He then led the audience arm in arm together with H.V. Shivadas, Assistant Executive Director of GFUSA, in a Peace March through the King Center and to the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the main program was staged.

Jake Ampat, Treasurer, GFUSA, introduced the mistress of ceremonies, the graceful, and vivacious Suchita Vadlamani, a host of Fox 5 “Good Day Atlanta” show. Effervescent Suchita welcomed all and introduced Giriraj Rao, who has been a pillar of South Asian community and an outstanding community leader in Greater Atlanta for many decades and who will perhaps have the unique distinction of celebrating his golden jubilee as a US citizen. Co-founder and currently Executive Director of the GFUSA, he is equally accomplished professionally having worked as the principal investigator in the corporate research and development department of the Coca-Cola Corporation for over 32 years, she said.

Giriraj Rao welcomed the assembly, briefly related the history of the Foundation, thanked the many community organizations who supported the event and thanked His Excellency, Ambassador of India Ronen Sen, Consul-General S.R.Tayal and the Assistant Secretary of State , Terrell Slayton for gracing the occasion with their presence and their participation.. After the volunteers Sonya Thapar and Dhruti Contractor and Nidhi Patel garlanded the honored guests and gifted them with books highlighting the chronology of the Civil Rights Movement, Giriraj stated that he was proud to be a member of the GFUSA. He felt heartened to see the presence of the members of the African-American Renaissance,Inc., delegates from Natal, South Africa, stalwarts of the Civil Rights Movement, and the State of Georgia representatives at the observance. “These observances continue to remind us that Gandhi is a man of all ages. Let us continue to demonstrate that mankind is one,” he said.

A minute’s silence was observed in tribute to all those who have perished in the global violence.

Subash Razdan, the founding member and currently the acting chairman of GFUSA, had spearheaded the successful installation and dedication of the Mahatma Gandhi’s Statue in Atlanta, and also initiated the Indian-American TV program, “Namaste Bombay” in 1988. He was instrumental in introducing “Spelling Bee Contest” and “IACA Beauty Contests” in Georgia. Last year he won the prestigious “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” for his exemplary community services. Subash introduced Ambassador Ronen Sen and wished him a great term in the US. He also recognized his friend and mentor, Terrell Slayton.

Soft spoken Ronen Sen expressed his thanks, appreciation and recognition of the work done by the GFUSA, National Park Service, and the King Center. He welcomed and appreciated the participation of the African-American Renaissance, Inc. and the South African delegation. He mentioned about the installation and dedication of a Gandhi Statue, in Houston, on October 2., and spoke at length about the importance of the message of Gandhi and the great influence he had on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Lech Walesa and Nelson Mandela. Ronen Sen referred to the famous historical Dandi march where Gandhi and 70 volunteers marched from Ahmedabad to Dandi to protest against the tax on salt by the British Governement. The march electrified and galvanized the Indian nation and sparked the movement for India’s independence. Similarly in America, the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, the sit-ins, the Peace March in Salem, Alabama etc. based on Gandhi’s techniques of non-violence and peaceful non-cooperation, emboldened and solidified the black minority and helped launch the Civil Rights Movement . As a result, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, a significant step in improving race relations, equality and justice. 

Jaimini Dave, a Graduate of The Academy of Indian Dance and Music, performed a scintillating dance “Radha Krishna” in a dual role of Radha and Krishna. The dance was choreographed by Usha Kadaba of the Academy.

Long –serving member of the GFUSA, Dr Joy Berry recognized Fred “V” Man Watson, Founder of Victims over Violence International Campaign and also recognized in absentia, Dr C T Vivien. She then introduced Richard Bright, Assistant Director for Preventive Research Center at More house College. Richard Bright recognized Prof. Ngubane (Vice Chairman-African-American Renaissance, Inc.), Chief Inkosi Mlaba (Member of Parliament) and Maya Raidoo (University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal). He further recognized members of the African-American Renaissance, Inc. and also Mintoo Tergestina and Nitya Bakshi, students from Morehouse School of Medicine. He lauded Rev. James Orange for bridging the older members of the Civil Rights Movement and the young generation who are now moving from Martin Luther King, Jr., back to Gandhi.” Sharing his optimism, Mr. Bright concluded his talk with a quote, “My feet are tired but my soul is rested. “ 

Maya Raidoo thanked the GFUSA for inviting the South African delegation to the historic and auspicious event, crucial to it in fostering linkage, connecting and reconnecting with the GFUSA. She then recounted the invaluable role of Gandhi in South Africa and how South Africa is doing its utmost to preserve his legacy.

Dr. Joy Berry then introduced Terrell Slayton who said that 1990 was a landmark year when Intercultural society was set up to welcome, understand and forge unity among diverse communities in Georgia.

His Excellency Ambassador Ronen Sen then presented the annual Gandhi Foundation of USA Awards. The Gandhi Peace Award was presented to Coretta Scott King, founder of the King Center and accepted on her behalf by her son, Martin Luther King III, who conveyed her mother’s apology of her inability to attend. He further conveyed her hearty greetings and support to the GFUSA. He then spoke about his father’s respect for Gandhi and related that as a child growing up in the King household, Gandhi’s picture hung on the wall over the dinner table-a daily source of inspiration.. He also reminded the audience that the very room in which the event was held was the location where most of the planning and execution of the Civil Rights Movement occurred and remarked how appropriate it was that Gandhi’s birth anniversary should be celebrated there. The Gandhi Humanitarian Award was presented to President of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Inc.,Dr. G.V.Raghu and Mrs.Geetha Raghu, for their endless love, generosity of spirit and distinguished service to all mankind. The Award was accepted on their behalf by their son Hemant and daughter-in-law, Anjali.The Gandhi Service Award was presented to Mr. Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, who spoke about the influence of Gandhiji on his life, and reflected how he came to realize that hunger, poverty and homelessness were in themselves a form of violence to be striven against. And finally, the Ambassador awarded the first-ever, The Gandhi Lifetime Achievement Award to Rev. Heslip “Happy “Lee, a retired Baptist minister who has spent his entire life fighting against poverty, racism and fundamentalism, and who was responsible for the racial integration of schools, restaurants, hotels, theatres and other places of public accommodation throughout the South, himself a colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Lee thanked the GFUSA for the Award and also thanked H.V. Shivadas for writng his (Rev.Lee’s) biography to be published in a few months. 

Giriraj Rao recognized Troy Lissimore, the former Superintendent of the National Park Service who has been an anchor for the installation of the Gandhi Statue.

The African-American Renaissance, Inc. choir led the assembly in singing the Civil Rights Anthem “We shall overcome”. Terrell Slayton and Maya Raidoo, flanked by Dr. Padmini Sharma, Dr. Sujatha Reddy,Raj Razdan, Liz Thaliath, Sonya Thaper, Nidhi Patel, did the honors of cutting Gandhiji’s birthday cake. Deputy Executive Director Anthony Thaliath thanked all the guests, sponsors, the National Park Service, media, and the volunteers. Dr.Sujatha Reddy, a conscientious and committed member of the GFUSA and Varundan provded all the garlands for the event. The program concluded with a delicious luncheon from the Palace Restaurant.