India Post News Service

SKOKIE: Indian Minister of State for Food Processing, Subodh Kant Sahai, found time to pay a visit to the Skokie Heritage Park where Indian Americans, with the support of local authorities, were successful in establishing a life size statue of Mahatma Gandhi three years ago.The Minister expressed his deep sense of satisfaction and pleasant surprise while looking at the Mahatma statute, first of its type in the whole of Illinois State.

He saw the India tricolor fluttering along with the American national flag and congratulated the Indians settled here for their efforts in promoting the ideals for which Mahatma stood his whole life, and died.Minister Sahay was welcomed by prominent leaders from Skokie and also by the mayors of Lincoln Wood and Morton Grove, Jerry Turry and Rick Krier respectively. Indian Consul General Jagdish Rai also graced the event.Leading community members included, among others Om Prakash Kamaria, President, Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund, Vip Shah, President of Indian Community of Niles, Sitaram Patel, Trustee, FIA, Pramod Shah, Trustee of Niles township, Dina Modi, Collector, Niles township, Subhash Bhatt, President, Midwest Ekal Vidyalaya, Dharam Shah, community activist and Babu Patel, President GMTF.

Om Prakash Kamaria made the minister aware of the project and its importance as a reminder to the young generation about Gandhiji's teachings about non-violence. He also mentioned the proclamation by Skokie village for the period from Sept 11 thru Oct 2 as a Peace and Unity Month. Vip Shah, executive vice-president of GMTF, talked about the recent resolution by Oakton Community College renewing its commitment to be place of peace and nonviolence.

Om Prakash Kamaria got recognition from Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, during the Asian Pacific American Heritage month - a 2007 Humanitarian Service Award for his role in the installation of statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Skokie.

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