Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 69th Death Anniversary
A delegation from America completed their three day stay at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) recently and were blessed by Pujya Swamiji for their beautiful campaign From India With Love (FIWL). The campaign strives to bring peace and healing to survivors of gun violence in the US by bringing them to India and sharing with them the culture of non-violence. Inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to India, during their trip they also travel to places where Mahatma Gandhiji had lived and meet with India’s respected spiritual leaders to understand the Indian spiritual culture, which has as its core tenet the practice of compassion and non-violence.
The group was led by Mandar Apte, Co-founder & Director Partnerships at Media Rise, and joined by Mayor Ardell Brede of Rochester, Minnesota, Police Lt. Jim Evenson also of Rochester, Ron Davis, CEO of Jordan Davis Foundation Inc,peace activist Jason Quezada, Renata Hannans, Author of P.S. Never Give Up Hope, Lakesha Burton Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Pragya Rathore , Karen Everett, Jennifer Mitchell, Nita Verma, wellness practitioner Tamu Nolfo and many others from all across America.
During their stay, the group enjoyed the Ganga Aarti and were deeply touched and inspired by their satsang and darshan with Pujya Swamiji, who shared with them the simple yet profound mantras and values in the Indian spiritual tradition that expound the world is one family and stress the respect for all living beings not just all human beings.
Pujya Swamiji also shared, “India teaches us to take it deeper then just gun control, it teaches us to practice maan (mind) control and that makes the lasting difference.”
They left deeply connected and recharged to continue their mission. They also shared that a trip to Rishikesh would be part of an annual trip to India and their learnings from the banks of Mother Ganga would be shared in the special documentary they were making on their initiative.