Houston: Mahatma Gandhi who spread the message of truth, non-violence, and global peace, died on January 30, 1948.
The Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston (EGMH) in collaboration with Unity Houston commemorated Shraddhanjali, a memorial service, on February 8.
EGMH and Unity Houston jointly observed Shraddhanajli, Memorial Service, in collaboration with Arya Samaj Greater Houston, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, The Ismaili Jamatkhana Center on February 8 at Unity Houston.
The Shraddhanjali program started at 3:00 pm with a gracious welcome by Rev Mindy Lawrence-Curtis, Associate Minister at Unity. Anusha Sathya was a brilliant Mistress of Ceremony for the program, which initiated with an Invocation and meditation from Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, founder and director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute. The program started with a beautiful rendition of the bhajan Hamko Maan ki Shanti Dena and Jab Zero Diya Mere Bharat Ne by the adorable kids from Swar Swangam School of Music, directed by Smriti Srivastava.
Consul General Aseem Mahajan, newly arrived in Houston in January 2020, gave a welcome speech and the profound universal significance of Gandhiji.
Kamal Haji then conducted the Zikr Band in their beautiful rendition of “Allah” and “Lab Pe Aati Hai” bringing tears of joy in the eyes of many in the audience.
1st place i-tribute winner, Vir Sehgal, then introduced his winning entry on LEED and Climate Change as the audience was educated on this 3-minute clip.
Eighth-grader Esha Nair, the 2nd place winner of the annual EGMH speech contest, delighted the audience with her winning speech, “Eternal Gandhi Museum: What I’d like to see.”
Steps for Dancing school, Choreographed by Dolly Goyal, with children from River Oaks Elementary School gave an outstanding dance performance titled “Nonviolence is the weapon of the strong “followed by a freelance performance by Dolly Goyal and her dancing partner Shilpa Thacker.
Alma Rosha Zamir recited a beautiful poem accompanied in the background by her sister, Anisa, playing the violin. The keynote speaker for the program was Ajit Giani, from Austin Bahai Community serving as the secretary and a member of the executive committee of the Interfaith Action of Central Texas. He enthusiastically addressed the crowd explaining “from Mohandas to Mahatma.”
Fort Bend County Judge KP George paid rousing tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
