For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

February 2009 Blog Posts (10)

Friday 20 February - Ahmadabad

After arriving from Mumbai in Ahmadabad, we were greeted by Gandhian scholar Kiran Sethi and her Riverside School students.

Our first stop was the Gujurat Vidyapith University founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.We were given a tour by Vidyapith students who train and study in “the way of Gandhi” at the University. John Lewis, Harris Wofford, and Martin Luther King III addressed the students. We had a wonderful outdoor buffet lunch preceding the talk which allowed everyone to… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 20, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Thursday 19 February - Mumbai

In the morning we visited the Mani Bhavan where Gandhi focused most of his political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. We also toured the Jain Temple at Malabar Hill. Jainism, a religion that espouses strict non-violence, was influential in Gandhi’s religious development. After lunch and a visit to Don Bosco Shelter, where Dee Dee Bridgewater performed for the children, we went to the Mumbai YMCA for a public forum on “Gandhi and King: Their Message Today.”

Both Martin… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 19, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Commemoration of King's India Pilgrimage: Wednesday 18 February

Along with the King and Congressional delegation, I departed in the morning for Mumbai, where we check in to the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, the famed, historic hotel as well as the site of the deadly terrorist attack last 26 November.

After a short shopping expedition and a briefing by the Consul general Paul Folmsbee and experts on his staff, we met with victims and representatives of victims of the attack. Several hotel workers offered moving testimony of their heroic actions to… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 18, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Commemoration of King's India Pilgrimage: Tuesday 17 February

While the congressional delegation left for Agra and the Taj Mahal, I went to the American Center to deliver a lecture. My talk, "The Living Dream: Carrying Forward the Legacy of Gandhi and King," depicted both visionaries as major participants in history's greatest freedom struggle - the successful global 20th century effort to improve the lives of most of humanity by overcoming colonialism, the American Jim Crow system, and South African apartheid. Pointing out that the two visionaries… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 17, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

India's Realistic Response to Martin Luther King Jr.'s Utopian Call

New Delhi. It is 16th February 2009. Through the settling pink dust of a high-tension St. Valentine's day we watch the illustrious band of American 'pilgrims' in the Indian capital, treading the path Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King trod exactly 50 years ago seeking Gandhi. Gingerly treading on eggs rather, in fast-forward mode. Spending a whole month (Feb 10 - March 10, as in 1959) looking for the spirit of the Mahatma, in a Department-of-State sponsored tour may be imprudent… Continue

Added by Akshay Bakaya on February 16, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Commemoration of King's India Pilgrimage: Monday 16 February

The delegation visited the Gandhi Smriti where they were met by its director, Savita Singh, and Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, a grand-daughter of Gandhi. There are many photographs recording the emotional event. The Kings placed a wreath at Gandhi's Samadhi, site of Gandhi's assassination in 1948, and other delegation members spread flower petals to honor Gandhi. The delegation then toured the surrounding exhibits on Gandhi's life and walked through the nearby museum, which included the room where… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 16, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Commemoration of King's India Pilgrimage: Sunday 15 February

After greeting Martin Luther King III, his wife Andrea Waters, chief of staff Johnny Mack, and other members of the "Realizing the Dream" staff, I joined Public Affairs Officer Larry Schwartz to visit the American Center for a preview of the American Embassy's new multi-media exhibit "Journeys Toward Freedom: Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Pilgrimage to India." While at the Center, I also looked in on Hancock's group as they were rehearsing for tomorrow evening's… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 15, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Commemoration of King's Indian Pilgrimage: Saturday 14 February

In the morning, I went to Rimpa: The Ravi Shankar Centre ["Peace through Music"] for a jazz master class attended by about 50 Indian musicians and conducted by Herbie Hancock, George Duke, as well as other less well known musicians who are all here in New Delhi for the "Living Dream" concert on Monday night. Shankar was present as Hancock and Duke explained the essentials of jazz while also performing in the beautiful Centre, filled with… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 15, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

Commemoration of King's Indian Pilgrimage: Friday 13 February

After arriving late last night after a long flight from San Francisco by way of Chicago, I had breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Delhi and then at 10 am went to the U. S. Embassy for orientation meetings. Peter Eisenhauer escorted me for brief overview with Steve and other State Department officials.

Then I went to left to attend afternoon sessions at the International… Continue

Added by Clayborne Carson on February 13, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Martin Luther King Jnr Tribute

Hello Everyone,

I am at the moment working on a Tribute to Martin Luther King Jnr, this is a Tribute project which will take place in a local School in Birmingham using Drama & Storytelling to maybe recreate a event or events from Dr Kings life, Children will have the opportunity to explore Dr Kings Legacy and be inspired at the same time. Other Schools will also be looking at other figures from history including Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X & Bhagat Singh. This is a 7 week… Continue

Added by pardip kumar on February 5, 2009 at 7:40am — 3 Comments