Indian Ambassador to US and Navy officials from Ship INS Satpura honored Mahatma Gandhi in Honolulu Hawaii

India’s Ambassador to United States, his Excellency, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, draped Hawaiian leis and lit candles at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Waikiki, Honolulu on Saturday July 9, 2022.  He was joined in making these traditional Hawaiian signs of respect by Indian Naval Attaché, Commodore Nirbhay Bapna, the Commanding Officer of the INS Satpura, Captain Saket Khanna, and other distinguished dignitaries from INS Satpura in Hawaii to take part in annual RIMPAC naval exercise. 

The program began with Hawaiian blessing led by Dr. Terry Shintani, accompanied by traditional Hawaiian healers. The blessing was followed by Indian chanting led by Ms. Madana Sundari and Veda Das. Dr. Raj Kumar, founder of the Gandhi International Institute for Peace, who then offered welcoming remarks and presented the book “Gandhi’s Wisdom for You” to Ambassador Sandhu. The program closed with the Indian Navy Band performing the U.S. and Indian national anthems, Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite song “Vaishnava Jana To” and Indian Patriotic Song “Vande Maataram”.

Ambassador Sandhu gave an inspirational speech about of Mahatma Gandhi as “Father of the Indian Nation” and his legacy for the pursuit of peace. His Excellency also shared with this audience, which included members of the local Indian community, his belief that the cause of peace, and much more, is aided by close relations between India and the United States. 

This program was hosted by Gandhi International Institute for Peace (GIIP) and the Indian-American Friendship Council. Dr. Raj Kumar is the President of Indian-American Friendship Council (Hawaii Chapter).

GIIP will hold its next annual observance of the State of Hawaii recognized “Mahatma Gandhi Day,” on his birthday, October 2, 2022. Mr. Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, is scheduled to be the Keynote speaker in that upcoming event.

For more information about GIIP and its free virtual and in-person programs of this and other events by signing up at www.gandhianpeace.org or www.gandhiday.com

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