TRIBUTE TO THE 'GREAT SOUL' GANDHI DAY FESTIVAL SET FOR SUNDAY.Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer CANOGA PARK - Mohandas K. Gandhi, the father of modern India who used nonviolent resistance nonviolent resistance: see passive resistence. to free his nation from British colonial rule, was called many names during his life: the Mahatma mahatma (məhăt`mə, –hät`–) [Sanskrit,=great-souled], honorific title used in India among Hindus for a person of superior holiness. Mohandas Gandhi is the best-known figure to whom the title was applied. (``great soul''), the ``Father of the Nation'' and ``Bapu,'' an affectionate Hindi term for a beloved father and saint. Harish Amar, a San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. Hindu community leader, simply refers to the Indian statesman as his ``personal hero.'' Amar says Gandhi's teachings are as important now as they were when he led India to independence in 1947. ``I would call him the man of the millennium. Gandhi is relevant in 2003 because truth, love, compassion and nonviolence are still relevant in today's world,'' said Amar, dean emeritus e·mer·i·tus adj. Retired but retaining an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement: a professor emeritus. n. pl. of health care administration at West Coast University in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . Gandhi's life will be celebrated at the sixth annual Gandhi Day to be held Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park. Presented by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, the family event will feature Indian musical and dance performances, guest speakers and a display of Gandhi memorabilia to remind the community of the leader's philosophies and relentless courage during the nation's most challenging period. ``Without a doubt, the teachings of Gandhi are relevant to the San Fernando Valley,'' said the Rev. Wayne Christiansen from Faith Lutheran Church. ``We struggle with domestic violence and violence in our schools everyday here. We are a nation that thrives on violence. His is a voice we need to hear. His teachings are so powerful, so true, and they continue to inspire us.'' Along with Gandhi's view that the highest law is ``ahimsa ahimsa (əhĭm`sä) [Sanskrit,=noninjury], ethical principle of noninjury to both men and animals, common to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Ahimsa became influential in India after 600 B.C., contributing to the spread of vegetarianism. ,'' or nonviolence, other fundamental principles that the leader said should guide a person's personal, social and political life and actions include: truth, simplicity, self-discipline, fearlessness fear·less adj. Without fear; brave. See Synonyms at brave. fear  less·ly adv. , use of locally made products and the equality of all religions. ``Some people may say his teachings are religious nonsense in light of the reality of the real world,'' Christiansen said. ``But sometimes it takes the worst of the real world to transform the world. Nonviolence is a very powerful argument. From our program, we want people to feel that there is a hope for a culture of peace and a global priority to find nonviolent ways to solve our problems.'' The message of the day can be summed up, said Amar, in Gandhi's own words. ``I object to violence because, when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary. The evil it does is permanent. Violence can never bring an end to violence; all it can do is provoke more violence.'' Cotton spinning was a strong political symbol in Gandhi's India and it will feature in Sunday's celebration. Jane Gilmore Jane Gilmore; the person Jenova of popular Final Fantasy games was based on. Also played various other gaming characters under her alias. Born Jane Trahair - 26 May, 1965 in Freedom Fields, Plymouth. , a member of The Spinners Spinners can refer to:
For years, Indian raw cotton was shipped to Great Britain Great Britain, officially United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, constitutional monarchy (2005 est. pop. 60,441,000), 94,226 sq mi (244,044 sq km), on the British Isles, off W Europe. The country is often referred to simply as Britain. , where huge textile factories turned it into fabric and resold it to India at exorbitant prices. Gandhi urged Indians to spin their own cotton to promote local employment and make it cheaper for Indians to buy cloth. ``I admire him because he realized that the only way to achieve spiritual growth was through service to others,'' said Amar. ``I would consider him a holy man. He is the embodiment of the Hindu religion.'' Classic Indian dances, including the ``Ganesh Stuti,'' a dance to remove obstacles that could threaten the success of any event, and a children's choir singing Gandhi's favorite Hindi songs will be highlights of the afternoon. A sampling of vegetarian Indian food will be offered. Gandhi Day is scheduled to conclude with a group recital Recital - dBASE-like language and DBMS from Recital Corporation. Versions include Vax VMS. of the song ``Let There Be Peace on Earth.'' IF YOU GO Gandhi Day will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church, 7500 De Soto de So·to , Hernando or Fernando 1496?-1542. Spanish explorer who landed in Florida in 1539 with 600 men and set out to search for the fabled riches of the north. Ave., Canoga Park. Eisha Mason, from The Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence, will be the keynote speaker. Free admission. Call (818) 348-4266. Holly Andres, (818) 713-3708 holly.andres(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Shivani Amar, 13, demonstrates an Indian dance for the Rev. Wayne Christiansen, left, Katherine Rousseau and her father, Harish Amar, at Faith Lutheran Church. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion