Sub ko sanmati de bhagwan

Tradition of observing Gandhi Ji’s Punya Tithi with MultiFaith prayers continues

By Arvind Vora

Suffolk County invited Volunteers of Shanti Fund for their unique and creative activities to commission a Gandhi Ji’s life size statue at the County Executive Office Building in 1998. 

For more than 20 years Shanti Fund is observing Punya Tithi with Long Island Multi Faith Forum. Observance takes place once a year where Gandhi statue is gracing the Plaza Level of H L D

Building on January 30, regardless day of the week it falls on.

This year all felt a need for 'Sab Ko Sanmati De - let there prevail wisdom.

This year more youth participated from three large religions: Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. The event was graced by elected officials, county employees, Consul Shri Tsewang Gyaltson representing the Consulate of India in New York and members of Bahai, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhism, Christianity, Gathering of Light, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Jewish, Sikh, Unitarian Universalists, & Yoga tradition.

Gandhi Ji’s favorite Bhajan Vaisnav Jan Toh sung by Gayatri Pariwar members

Soh Young Lee sung Greek Orthodox hymn and Raghu Pati Raghav Raja Ram

Hayden Santos, Sanjida Cabot, & Akbar Fishman offered peace presentation of Bahai Faith

Sangeeta Kulkarni & Narinder Kapoor represented Hinduism

Sikh Community presented Anand Sahib - The Song of Bliss

Charles Lehner, Akiva Wharton, Carmen  Maffia (partly hidden), Phil Scime, Geri Jacques, Arthur Jacques, Laurie Trujillo, Aimee Pirrone, Jo Ann Barrett of Gathering of Light presented multifaith prayer 

Erik Larson and Sister Meena from Brahma Kumaris

Agnes Wolf from Unitarian Universalists

Vera, Irem, Zeynep, Meryem, Ilayda, Ruya chanted Islam prayer

Section of audience

Monks recited Buddhist peace prayers

Matthew Kim offered Christian prayer

Akiva the Believer and Rabbi Cantor Lisa Ann Wharton presented Jewish prayer

Jyoti Shah & ILA Vora sang Maitre Bhav in Jain stavan

Jamshed Ghadiali from Zoroastrian 

Shriya Dastidar presented Bharat Natyam classical dance

(All photos courtesy: Arvind Vora)