Singaspeaks – Roar 27

SingaSpeaks ROAR 27 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 8 OCTOBER 2016 A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

Why Gandhiji is called ‘Mahatma’ ?

The 147th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall from 10 am on Sunday 2nd Oct 2016.

Representing the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, various Indian Associations viz. Singapore Gujarati Society, Hindi Society, SIA, GOPIO and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust came together to participate in the commemorative function.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, Ambassador Sri K Kesavapany, President of SIA welcomed the distinguished gathering.

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 27

PAGE TWO

Swami Vimokshananda, President of the Singapore Ramakrishna Mission spoke thereafter on how a shy, timid M K Gandhi was transformed into a fighter and later into a ‘Mahatma’ – large-hearted, a title aptly given by Rabindranath Tagore and a title he lived up to till the end.

SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

Commissioner of India to Singapore to address the audience. In narrating the hard struggle that Gandhiji waged against foriegn rulers for the independence of India, she added that Gandhiji was ever mindful of the harmony of faiths by reading from the scriptures of different religions.

The next Speaker was Sri Murali Pillai, a Member of Parliament.

The term ‘Mahatma’ was long before defined by Swami Vivekananda as one whose "heart bleeds for the poor". Swami Vimokshananda then picturised the struggle that Gandhi faced in an alien land under the suppressing Apartheid in South Africa and how he stood up to the principles that he considered right.

The MC requsted Her Excellency Smt Paramita Tripathi, the Dy High

The Hon'ble Member urged all to observe the good values practised

by Gandhiji. He emphasised the two moving principles viz., Truth and Non-violence as the cure for the modern malady of insecurity and discord.

Members of the Women’s Wing of the Hindi Society sang melodiously two songs that were favorites of Mahatma.

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 27

PAGE THREE

SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

The Kumar Sisters earlier sang the "Vaishnava Janato" in Carnatic style of music to the delight of the audience. The Singapore Gujarati Society then staged a skit depicting that Peace as shown by Gandhiji is possible in countering terrorism. The participants were as Gandhiji: Amol Karnik, as Mr. Sam: Devanshu Zaveri, as Mr. Steve Jobs: Tejas Chitaliya and as Obama: Hemanshu Parekh.

Background score was provided by Pathik Gandhi. The Writer, Directer, Producer was Hemanshu Parekh. The audience applauded several times.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Sri Srinivas Rai, Chairman of MG Memorial Trust. Earlier when the guests reached the Hall, lighting of the lamp was done by Smt. Paramita Tripathi, the Deputy Commissioner of the High Commission of India and other distinguished dignitaries of Singapore, some of whom also garlanded Mahatma’s statue.

Mahatma Gandhiji after a visit to Belur Math, the HQ of Ramakrishna Mission on 30 January 1921: “I have gone through his works very thoroughly, and after having gone through them, the love that I had for my country became a thousand-fold. I ask you, young men, not to go away empty-handed without imbibing something of the spirit of the place where Swami Vivekananda lived and died.”

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 27

PAGE FOUR

SATURDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2016

The next Speaker was Sri Murali Pillai, a Member of the Parliament. The Hon'ble Member urged all to observe the good values practised by Gandhiji. He emphasised the two moving principles viz., Truth and Nonviolence as the cure for the modern malady of fear.

On this occasion, a Cultural performance was also arranged. Members of the Women’s Wing of the Hindi Society sang two songs that were favorites of Mahatma. The Kumar Sisters earlier sang the "Vaishnava Janato" in Carnatic style of music to the delight of the audience. The Singapore Gujarati Society then staged a skit depicting that Peace as shown by Gandhiji is possible in countering terrorism.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Sri Srinivas Rai, a senior member of the

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org