CHICAGO: Work, deeds and sayings of a noble soul never die in human history. So was Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy that continued even after he died. Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of love, peace and co-existence moved as far as Africa, America and Europe. Gandhian Movement was spearheaded by many organizations in India and other countries.
Dr Nirmala Deshpande worked as an aide with Mahatma Gandhi conceived mission ‘Gandhi Global Family’ an international Gandhian Movement to carry forward Gandhian philosophy. This was revealed in a press meet reception dinner by Padmashri S.P. Varma in Chicago.
Mahatma Gandhi’s followers in Chicago and Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) jointly held a reception on Saturday evening at a restaurant on Devon Ave for Padmashri S.P. Varma and his team for Gandhi Global Family. FIA president Keerthi Kumar Ravoori welcomed S.P. Varma and others. He remarked that incidentally the event was being held on Gandhi Marg on Devon Ave. Keerthi said the street portion was named after Mahatma Gandhi as FIA senior trustees pursued the issue.
Iftekhar Shareef, FIA trustee, also welcomed the visiting activist on behalf of FIA. He briefly spoke about FIA community activities in Chicago. Iftekhar Shareef introduced Padmashri S.P. Varma as a social worker and Gandhian activist from Jammu and Kashmir seeking peace in troubled land through Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of love, non-violence, truth and right path.
Shareef also remarked that it was a pleasant surprise that Mahatma Gandhi’s followers are present in Chicago among other communities. He was referring to Rev. Wade Wonsey and Hellen Cousineay, both from Chicago, joining the Gandhi Global Family as followers of Mahatma Gandhi. Shareef requested Padmashri Varma to speak about his mission.
In his address, S.P. Varma said that after the death of Didi Nirmala Deshpande there was a lull in the Gandhian Movement. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had joined the movement as a college student in Srinagar four decade ago. He later took over as the head of Gandhi Global Family. Varma informed that he was inspired by Dr Nirmala’s work and left his government job for Gandhian movement. He organized inter-faith meetings, strived rebuilding the shattered trust of different communities in the valley. He was also encouraged by Bollywood actor and MP Sunil Dutt.
Together, they established camps in Jammu and Kashmir and took upon the mission of ‘Sadbhawana ke Sipahi’ for peace in the valley. SP Varma believes that peace is possible through dialogue and shattered by conflicts. About his coming to Chicago, Varma thanked Mom Hellen Cousineay and Rev. Wade Wonsey and other volunteers who agreed to establish Mission Gandhi Global Family chapter in Chicago. SP Varma also thanked Iftekhar Shareef, Amair and Prabhudas for helping in Gandhi Mission. NFIA President Sohan Joshi joined with FIA president Keerthi Kumar to greet the mission activists.
A.Q. Siddiqui
India Post News Service
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