In a picturesque setting as lovely as the Artesani Park overlooking the Charles river, the Gandhi Day Walkathon attracted an enthusiastic crowd of more than 150 professionals, students , families and children. 8am, sharp the morning of October 6th saw cheerful volunteers put up banners, display tables and colorful balloons in white, orange and green symbolizing the Indian flag to commemorate the occasion. The 5 km walk looped round the Charles river onto the Bridge over to the other side and ended at the temporary stalls where young volunteers from high schools and colleges pitched in to provide water and motivation to the walkers. The weather was bright, sunny and cheerful and so were the walkers who not only made it to the end but rallied around to make their pledges to celebrate Gandhi'ss ideals. It was a tremendous effort by AIF Boston and Project Impact.

Pradeep Kashyap, Executive Director, AIF gave an introduction to AIF activities. He spoke on the fundraising efforts for rehab and relief works in Gujarat, and compensation for the September 11 victims. A non profit foundation created in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake by President Bill Clinton, Victor Menezes, Rajat Gupta and others, AIF was founded to accelerate socio and economic change in India, education and women empowerment. It also supports two programs, Service Corps in which young Americans are sent to India on volunteer work and till date, 60 volunteers have benefited with this program. The Digital Equalizer project, according to him will help bridge the gap in technology through the development of computer learning centers

Dr Sugata Bose, Professor in the Department of History,Harvard University congratulated the foundation for organizing the walk. He spoke on the novel strategy adopted by Gandhi to a disarmed populace that would eventually take on a mighty British Empire like a colossus. Professor Bose also touched on the Civil Disobedience movement and Quit India movement and the call for Do or Die in the face of violence. He also recalled the association of his Uncle, Sarat Chandra Bose, elder brother of Subhas Chadra Bose and his close relationship with the Mahatma. Declaring that the walk will help rediscover the magic of the Mahatma, Professor Bose also circulated around an old and precious photograph of the Naokhali walk undertaken by Gandhi along with his Uncle.

Dr Dinesh Patel, an active community leader lent an authentic touch to the walk by clutching a walking cane just as Gandhi did and urged the Padayatris to be inspired by action. Comparing the Charles River to River Sabarmati in Gujarat, he quoted from Gandhi’s speech on the need for action and purity of thought.

Children of the local Chinmaya mission performed a Surya Namaskaar on the occasion. Aruna Koka of Winchester who came to know of the walk through a local website was inspired to come for the walk because she thought it was for a good cause. Ashwin Vishwanath, another walker said he was curious to find out more about AIF and that prompted him to come and participate.Govind Bhisetti who had come to drop his daughter and her friends to help set up the event, stayed back and joined the others in the walk.

The Boston group of active AIF volunteers Naveen Wadhera, Chirag Shah and Brian Santhumayor were also helped by Kavita Kapur and Poornima Unni and other Project Impact members. Ramesh Kapur was also present on the occasion. Delicious Samosas and Pakoras was provided by Café of India and a raffle drawn on the occasion was a big success.


The America India Foundation is hosting Tumhari Amrita , a much acclaimed play with talented actors Shabana Azmi and Farooque Sheikh on October 26th,2002 at 6 pm at the John Hancock Auditorium in Boston. Inspired by A.R.Gurney's "Love Letters" and adapted by Javed Siddiqui, the play is reputed to be a very unforgettable experience and superbly performed.

For more information on the tickets and other details check out http://www.Aifoundation.org or click here

|

---

You may also access this article through our web-site http://www.lokvani.com/