NOVATO, CA: "Celebrating Human Greatness" was the focus at the Anubhuti Meditation and Retreat Center in Novato, California by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization on October 6. Seventy people attended, most of them long time immigrants of Indian origin. They were treated to an evening of inspiring stories about how their lives have been touched by acts of "greatness" by ordinary people.

Celebrating Human Greatness is a national initiative launched by the Brahma Kumaris' last January to celebrate their 30th anniversary of service in the US. The initiative rests on the premise that greatness is intrinsic in human beings, and bringing the greatness of individuals and communities into the spotlight is deeply empowering. Five panelists were invited to the stage to answer a question about human greatness posed by Janardhan Chodagam, a member of the Brahma Kumaris in San Francisco and coordinator of the event.

On the panel were Jitu Somaya, Consulate General of Mauritius, Rita Sahai, Emmy nominee singer, Dr. Sasanka Mukherjee, retired chief of EENT department at Kaiser, Sister Chandru Desai, Director of the West Coast region of the Brahma Kumaris and Usha Jain, Senior Lecturer at UC Berkeley.

The questions related to the panelist's personal experiences of witnessing acts of greatness by others, moments of quiet greatness they offered to others, and the contribution of Indian values made to American culture. Visible hesitations were exhibited with the second question. Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, Professor Emeritus, Fresno State University introduced the event.Over dinner, the participants shared their stories on these topics with the other people seated at their table. One spokesman from each table summarized the answers.

The responses were colorful, and presented a collage of life's experiences, some deep and insightful.A dialog has begun. The forum will serve as a nucleus of our reflection on 'human greatness' - our own, and that of others. The program will reconvene, no doubt, at some future date in a related topic or format, or the same, asking for our reflection and consciousness of 'human greatness.'

This concept has tremendous universal significance, be it at times of war or peace, turmoil or calm, and truth or illusion, in our quest for universal peace and harmony.