Mahatma Gandhi’s Punya Tithi was observed with multi-religion prayers on the Plaza Level of the Suffolk County Executive Building which houses Bapu’s statue.
Compiled by Parveen Chopra
Hauppauge, NY: For many years Volunteers of Shanti Fund have been observing the Gandhi Punya Tithi (January 30) with peace prayers in partnership with Long Island Multi Faith Forum (LIMFF). This year was special as it is LIMFF’s 30th anniversary.
As is tradition, the event began with a solemn recitation of Vaishnav Janha Toh Tene, a favorite bhajan of Mahatma Gandhi. Followed by presentations of Baha’i, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Christian, Gathering of Light, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Unitarian Universalists, Yoga Dharma, and Zoroastrian. Hindu youth made a memorable presentation with prayers and dance.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine was represented by Dr. Sylvia A. Diaz, Deputy County Executive, who presented a Proclamation from the Suffolk County Executive and a Citation from the Nassau County Executive to Arvind Vora.
The event concluded with a befitting message from Pragya Singh, Consul of Community Affairs from the Indian Consulate, New York.
Vegetarian dinner from Curry Club was enjoyed by all.
Co-MC’s Paresh Raval & Arvind Vora
Indu Kaur, Sohni Kaur Singh & Mini Kaur Singh - Sikh Presenters
Akiva the Believer & Rabbi Lisa Ann Wharton (Jewish presenters), Dr. Phil Scime, Rev. JoAnn Barrett, Sherry Bush, Nancy Seals, Aimee Pirrone, Geri Jacques, and Arthur Jacques - Presenters of Gathering of Light
Dr. Sylvia A. Diaz, Deputy County Executive representing Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
Pragya Singh, Consul Community Affairs
Narinder Kapoor and Sangeeta Kulkarni - Hindu Presenters
Ven. Luechai Phokaphanich, Ven. Suwannarat Saensupa and Ven. Vachirawit Tanpradit - Buddhist Presenters
Jyoti Shah & Ila Vora - Jain Presenters
Hindu youth performed songs, dance and violin - in the middle is classical dancer Shriya Dastidar
Kenneth Cabot, Dr. Sanjida Cabot, Dr. Homoyoon and Mateo Mendez - Bahai Presenters
Sister Neeru Ailawadi, Brother Sushil Sagar, MD, and Sister Roopa Dadlani - Brahma Kamaris Presenters
Jamshed Ghadiali - Zoroastrian Presenter
A section of the audience
(All photos courtesy: Shanti Fund & Suresh Udeshi)
