Dallas, TX: Hundreds of NRI’s attended 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. In his welcome speech, MGMNT Secretary Rao Kalvala said that Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary was celebrated with great fanfare among hundreds of Gandhiji’s fans.
Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter Mrs. Ela Gandhi, Chief Guest of honor in her keynote stated that Kasturba Gandhi had been very supportive of Gandhi in many aspects, and that she is equally or at least one step ahead of him, proving that there is 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, who married Gandhiji at the age of 13, never left school, she studied under Gandhiji's initiative and traveled to South Africa with Gandhiji and struggled with the anti-racism laws of India against Indians. Kasturba Gandhi is said to be the first person to introduce Gandhiji to Satyagraha and its power. She expressed hope that her grandmother, Kasturba Gandhi, who at that time was very aware of women's mobility and women's empowerment, should be an ideal for women today. A special souvenir created by MGMNT was unveiled by Chief Guest Mrs. Ela Gandhi on this occasion. She was subsequently felicitated by the MGMNT Board of Directors.
MGMNT Chairman Dr. Prasad Thotakura in his address said that it was remarkable that Kasturba Gandhi's 150th Jayanti was also this year. Dr. Thotakura said it was a great opportunity to host 150th birth anniversary of such legend Mahatma Gandhi, who has stirred up millions of peaceful slogans such as non-violence, satyagraha and discipline in the days without social media and viral videos. Gandhiji's principles and philosophy are ideal for many Nobel laureates, national and world leaders. Gandhiji's ambitions and ideals will continue to flourish for another 150 years, Prasad Thotakura mentioned. He thanked the donors who donated huge donations along with the Irving City officials for their support in building the largest Gandhi memorial in Dallas (Irving) in 2014. Later, MGMNT Board felicitated the prime donors.
Former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Dr. Mandali Buddha Prasad said that peace is possible only through non-violence and Gandhiji's theories are always ideal. He said that all people should walk in the path prescribed by Gandhiji so that the unity is unbroken.
Hon. Puducherry Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said that the largest statue of Gandhiji 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.
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 Martin Luther King, and that King had organized civil rights movements in the United States.
Gollanapalli Prasad, Chairman of the Gandhi King Foundation, said that everyone should follow Gandhiji’s life and principles to enjoy a peaceful life. A special dance performance by Nrutyashakti Dance Academy students choreographed on Gandhiji attracted all the audience.
A special colorful photo exhibition on Gandhiji containing several oil paintings and pencil drawings was presented by a famous artist Jigar Soni from Gujarat. MGMNT Board of Directors felicitated Mr. Burra Siva VaraPrasad, who sculpted Mahatma Gandhi in Dallas which stands as the largest Gandhi Memorial in the country now. Mr. Burra is a very creative sculptor who received many honors and awards including special award from the President of India. MGMNT also felicitated artist Jigar Soni as well.
MGMNT Board felicitated the Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations host committee members Mrs. Ranna Jani, Anand Dasari, Dr. Sat Gupta, Srikanth Polavarapu, Mrs. Shabnam Modgil, Gutta Venkat, Murali Vennam, Sante Chari, John Hammond, Rajendra Vankawala and Sridhar Tummala. The Board also appreciated the volunteers Puligandla Vishwanadham, Dinesh Hooda, Anil Rathe, Mahender Rao, Rajiv Kamath and Urmit Singh for their hard work in making the program a grand success. In addition to Dr. Prasad Thotakura, Founder Chair, MGMNT Board of Directors BN Rao, John Hammond, Rao Kalvala, Taiyab Kundawala, Piyush Patel, Akram Syed, Kamal Kaushal and Abhijit Railkar graced the occasion.
