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Part 1: Commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy at Parliament Warm greetings to you all, and warm greetings to this very important occasion—the acknowledgement of the birth of Mahātmā Gāndhījī. This is an important occasion because of the legacy he left for all of us who have followed behind, not necessarily in his distinguished footsteps, but taught by him through the many lessons he gave us. I want to particularly welcome some people here. I acknowledge the Minister, the Honourable Sam Lotu-Iiga. Thank you very much, Minister, for joining us this evening. The MP who is our host this evening, Kanawaljī Singh Bakshī, thank you very much and thank you for hosting this occasion. I might add—and I add this without any qualification—the member has often hosted functions across a wide range of ethnic communities. We thank you for doing so again, just as the Minister himself. The two of you, we are honoured by your presence here. Mr. Nanganbha, Neil Patel, who chairs the association that is behind this, and I make particular mention, of course, of the Mayor of Wellington, His Worship Justin Lester. He probably hasn’t been described as “His Worship” before, I imagine, but I’m a traditionalist, you see, and I’ve known Justin for a long time. Why don’t we welcome and congratulate the new mayor of Wellington. Vishwagurujī, Swamī, thank you very much yourself for being again at another occasion in Wellington. We are always honoured with your presence in Wellington and New Zealand. We know the demands on your time. The fact that you can spend time in Wellington and honour these occasions with your presence means a great deal to us all in the city, and thank you very much. There are a number of other distinguished guests present tonight. In fact, ladies and gentlemen, all are distinguished. It is, in my opinion, a warm occasion, and it is right and proper that it should be so well supported. So, thank you for being here. Why do we commemorate Mahātmā Gāndhījī’s birthday from 147 years ago? One of the things he left us, one of the legacies, was so many pearls of quotations—wonderful quotations. I give you one now: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, and learn as if you were to live forever.” Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. I think those words alone carry a message that will resonate down through the ages forever. And so I certainly commend this occasion tonight. We now have two ceremonies that are appropriate for those of us who have been at the statue, at Mahāmaṇḍalījī’s statue by the railway station. Those ceremonies have been appropriately supported by the leadership of the Wellington Indian community. But by the nature of tonight and the restrictions that obviously apply, these ceremonies will be conducted by just two or three people on behalf of us all. And so I ask Nagambai Neil Patel to come forward with the Minister. I think I’m right there, Minister. It is the Dīkṣā ceremony, followed by the Garland ceremony. Nagambal Patel, thank you very much for that part of the ceremony. We now move to the speakers for this evening. The Member of Parliament and our host, Mr. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, again, thank you for honouring this occasion. Thank you for speaking at this occasion. Would you please welcome our host for this evening. Thank you, Ian, for your kind words and acknowledgment. I acknowledge you for your support all these years. He deserves a round of applause. When he was the deputy mayor of Wellington, he always used to come and support us at the railway station. Thank you very much for being MC today, and I really appreciate your support. Can I acknowledge the Minister, my good friend and brother, Honourable Sam Lotharinga? Swamiji, can I? Mahāprabhujī Karatā He Kevalam, Mahāprabhujī Karatā He Kevalam, Mahāprabhujī Karatā. We hope that diversity is maintained and your support is very crucial to that. Nageen Bhai is a very passionate person and makes sure that the event he gets involved in is very articulate and well-organized. Swamiji, you came to the office the other day, and he wished that you should stay till 12 to join us. Mahāprabhujī kī Karatā Mahāprabhujī kī Karatā... The President of the Wellington Indian Association, thank you for your support. Rati Bai has been the President of NZICA, present here today. All of you have come to celebrate the birth anniversary of Gāndhījī. As Ian mentioned, Gāndhījī is a mentor to many of us, and his legacy has been followed by many, many leaders around the world. Mahāprabhujī kī Karatā Mahāprabhujī kī Karatā... Bhai, and I hope that her effort will be well acknowledged. Thank you very much once again, and I hope you will enjoy today’s event. Namaskār. Thank you very much, Mr. Vargsi, and I now call upon our guest of honour. No, sorry. I’m going to call upon Naim Bhai Patel, but he’s reading his notes. So here is the person. Let me tell you a bit about this person. I thought that Mr. Bakshi was very kind about him. Mr. Patel has only rung me five times in the last hour. I’ve got a lot of lines on here, but I think it’s absolutely correct. He is very, very passionate about the role he plays, supported by a number of members of his committee, to ensure that the Wellington Indian community and the broader Wellingtonians acknowledge this birth date of Mahātma Gāndhījī, and a lot of credit goes to you for exactly that, Neil. So thank you very much. Now, with no further instructions to me, my instruction to you: come and address us. For intro salutation to cosmic energies: Namaste, Kem cho, Nahi mihi. Greetings, Śāstrī Akālajī, Manakam Talopam, Malole, Tinakoto Katoa, Tinakoto Katoa. Greetings of all cultures and religions. Honourable Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-I’iga, as hard as pronouncing my name to you, Vishwaguru, Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara, Paramahaṁsasvāmī Maheśvarānandajī, Master of Ceremony, and Wellington Regional Councillor. He is the first regional councillor to be elected in the last election. So let’s thank him for it. Kapiti Coast Mayor K. Guru Nathan was supposed to be here, probably running late. Honourable Pūjya Mahātmā Gandhi, Commission Committee Members, Kāntī Bāī, Ratī Bāī, Amṛt Bāī Rāmā, Sureshji, Dinesh Taylor is absent; he is in Auckland. Gāndhījī’s lovers, loving audience, and all. Good evening, welcome, welcome, welcome to all ladies and gentlemen, artists, Deepak Bhai Thanawala, staff, and technicians, to this celebration at Parliament House. On behalf of the PMGBCC Committee, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to the first ever celebration of Mahātmājī’s birthday in this Parliament and the observation of the International Day of Non-Violence. I’m humbled that we have eight members of parliament who volunteer to host this function at Parliament. I’m grateful, and on behalf of the PMGBCC committee, Mr. Kalwanjit Bakshi, my old friend and old supporter of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and celebration at Helio Station for the last ten years, Mahāprabhudīp Karata He Kevalam, Mahāprabhudīp Karata He Kevalam, Mahāprabhudīp Karata, Mahāprabhudīp Karata He Kevalam, Mahāprabhudīp Karata. And the Indian High Commission acknowledged and supported, through ICCR, to have a Gāndhījī statue at our Wellington railway station. So let’s thank the Wellington City Council for that. Justin, and I need to speak about Justin because Justin is our man. He is Mahātmā Gāndhījī’s man. So is Celia, and so is Keri Pendergast. They supported us without any conditions. Whatever we asked for, we got it. I’m very grateful to the city of Wellington and to you. Ian at that time deputized the event, and Ian supported that event as well. We do thank you, Ian, for your support. Let’s talk about my staff. They said to me that it’s all about you, it’s all about committee, it’s all about everybody else, but except for Gāndhījī. I said, oh, that’s a good point, and that’s Daniel Reeve at the back. So I said, okay, let’s talk about Gāndhījī. So Mahātma Gāndhījī was a man of principle. Ahiṃsā, nonviolence; satya, truth; śānta, calm; hard work; prem, love; and respect for other religions, beliefs, and actions. He had the seven principles for the profession in which we are working in this world. And it goes like this: Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice, politics without prejudice. As humans, this is a quote from a New Zealand. The first MP who spoke at Gāndhījī’s statue a few years back: “As human beings, we strive to achieve the highest good. As politicians, our purpose is for the good of all mankind. For Gāndhījī, truth was the highest good, the natural goal of a human being’s existence.” He went so far as to say, “Truth is God,” to indicate that nothing is more worthy of our devotion than reality, including moral reality and our endeavours to understand it and live by it. The principle by which we ought to govern our lives, according to Gāndhījī, must reflect our essence as fallible truth seekers. I could not agree more. It is this moral principle, not for the use of some hypothetical loan or individual being. Instead, we must reflect on our status as social beings, for truth-seeking is as much a collective as an individual endeavour. While we each have our own individual methods in seeking change, our purpose must remain the same. It is important to remember that we are what we do, what we say, and what we eat. That becomes in our thoughts. We also work together and show love and respect to our mankind, our community. And we use our power and authority for the goodness of the public, not for ourselves or for the authorities. Gāndhījī said, “Be the change you want to see.” And I can see that Kalmanjīt Bākshī has started that. Gāndhījī believed in peace. Peace leads to better persons and communities, ahiṃsā, nonviolence. Gāndhījī said, “Nonviolence is a greater weapon than mighty weapons.” Barack Obama said, “Who said what about Gandhi Ji?” So Barack Obama, the president of the USA, said he was a great personality of the 20th century, and he is recognized today, even in the 21st century. And Barack Obama said, “In my life, I have looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can happen when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things.” And that’s what Gandhi did. We must stay happy. There was an article, Ian is signalling me, there was an article that in the world, people fight for peace. But three weeks ago, the Israeli government declared that they’re going to spend $35 billion to keep the peace. Now, that $35 billion could be used for promoting ahiṃsā, nonviolence, and truth. Gāndhījī did exactly the same, but not with billions, millions of billions. I wish you all, on behalf of my committee, to enjoy peace, non-violence, truth, love, and respect. Jai Ho, Jai Hind, Jai New Zealand. Thank you all. Mahāprabhujī kī karatā, Mahāprabhujī kī karatā, Mahāprabhujī. The Minister, Sam Lotu-Lugenga, to come and address us. Minister, thank you very much. The minister of the crown to spend time here this evening is excellent. To spend time for this occasion is doubly so. We welcome you and thank you. Well, thank you, Ian, and thank you for your kind introduction. Can I acknowledge our host, Kamwajit Bakshi? Thank you, my brother. And while you’re my brother, I still think Nagan Bai is very articulate, probably a little bit more articulate than you. But thank you for hosting us. To my parliamentary colleagues, to Pamjeet, Pama, to Melissa who’s down the back. Please come forward, Melissa. She’s shaking her head. To Swamiji, welcome. Good to see you, sir. Thank you to Sandeep Sood and your beautiful wife. Thank you for joining us here tonight. And to everyone here, it is an honour and a privilege to be here to celebrate Mahātmā Gāndhījī’s birthday. Can I also acknowledge, finally, and especially our mayor, our new mayor, Mr. Mayor, it’s great to see you here. I look forward to working with you as the Minister of Local Government, but also, the relationship between central and local government should be strong. I know we’ll be strong under your leadership, but welcome and congratulations once again. So commemorating Gandhi Jī’s birthday is special, and for those that grew up watching, I grew up watching the Gandhi movie as a thirteen-year-old. I remember, recall very well Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of this great man, and you know, it was watching someone who is revered not just in India. I understand he also spent time in South Africa, but people around the world of any religion, of any creed, of any race, of any ethnicity, one can admire and take hold of the principles and the values that he espoused and that he epitomized. And I think that’s why we come here today. And, you know, in that movie, you saw a number of things that he led. But the non-violent marches, for me, stood out against the violence by the authorities. Purījī Prakāś, Purījī Prakāś... Mahāprabhujī Karatā Mahāprabhujī Karatā Mahāprabhujī Mahāprabhujī Karatā Mahāprabhujī Karatā He Kevalam. I think the New Zealand cricket team has been charitable to the Indian cricket team, so they have learned something on their trip to India. But look, you know, it is about a relationship, it is about people. It is about people and relationships. And I know part of that relationship is to see our Prime Minister, John Key, to go up there with various business people, with our MPs, and to broaden that relationship. That’s what it’s about: broadening a relationship that is forged through history, through sport, through trade, through commerce, and through people-to-people relationships. So I just want to end, as many others have spoken here today. I think of a great man that I grew up watching in a movie. He was a small man in stature, but he had a great soul. And the quote that I want to leave with you, and you’ve probably already heard of it, and I think it’s appropriate in this building, this Parliament building, and that is, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” And a place where we value public service, I think to serve others and to lose yourself in the service of others is something that we should all remember. And I just want to acknowledge the Mayor again. Remember that in your mayoral leadership. Remember that in Parliament. Remember that in your businesses, and in your families, and your communities, and wherever you’ve come from, and wherever you’ll go back tonight. Jai Hind, thank you very much. All the best. Well, Minister, we’re very grateful and thankful for that further quotation from Mahātmā Gāndhījī, so thank you very much indeed. Mahāprabhujī Paramparā Mahāprabhujī Paramparā... Come forward as well, please. All right, we have a number of awards that are given to people who have served the community in various ways over time. And these awards are now going to be presented by Nagambar Neel Patel and the Minister, the Honourable Sam Lotulenga, who will present these awards to these people. The first person is Khandibar Patel, better known as Ken Patel, one of the real Senators of Wellington, who is receiving the Best Work Karma Award. You’d better have your photograph taken with them both. Ken’s just about to go to India next week, so he’s timed it well. Likewise, Mr. Sandeep Sood is being awarded, on behalf of the High Commissioner, the Best Work Karma Award as well. Thank you very much. I think you’ve got to stand between the two of them there once you get the award. I don’t think the former Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is here. No, she’s not here. Would you please acknowledge the fact that she is being awarded the Truth Satyā Award. Would you please acknowledge, in her absence, the former Mayor. The family of David Lange, if there are any representatives here, is getting the Peace Śānti Award. Sir, are there any representatives of David Lange’s family here? No, there are not. Could we acknowledge them in their absence all the same? Minister has agreed to take it. Oh, great. Thank you very much, Minister. Right. To his family, thank you very much. To the current Mayor of Wellington, Justin Lester, the Peace Award. He’ll reign over peace in the council. There’s one of his councillors back there. I’ll tell you what, we’re going to retrieve the award of Mr. Peace down there. Your Worship, so would you please welcome His Worship Justin Les to the Peace Śānti Award. Part 2: Honouring the Mahātmā: Gandhi Jayanti Commemoration at Parliament The ceremony proceeded with a series of award presentations. Amir Aridbar Rama and Tiratilal Shambharane were each invited forward to receive the Peace Award; both are longstanding committee members whose dedicated service underpins these commemorations. Kanwaljeet Bakshi, as host and alongside the Minister, was acknowledged for his service to the diverse communities of New Zealand. Swāmījī was then called forward to be honoured by the Minister, and the gathering was asked to congratulate him with the words “Peace and non-violence.” Another committee member, Sudesh Weshwari, was then congratulated. A very special award followed, presented to Nalini Patel—known to many as Neil’s wife—for her extensive good work. Those familiar with the dairy in Aro Street know that Nalini is the ever-present figure who enables Nagambai to pursue other projects around the city, keeping the dairy successful. The host confirmed that Swāmījī’s award had been presented, and then invited Swāmījī to come forward again, asking the Minister to remain. Two awards were now to be bestowed upon Nagambai Neil Patel: the World Vishav Award and the Sri Swami Peace Award. The Minister presented one and Swāmījī the other, both honouring the committee leader who has been the driving force behind this commemoration for over a decade. Background was then offered on the Sri Swami Madhavānanda World Peace Council, founded by Vishwagurujī Mahāmaṇḍaleśwar Paramahaṁsa Swami Maheśvarānanda in commemoration of his master, His Holiness Hindu Dharmasārtha Paramahaṁsa Sri Swami Madhavānandajī. The World Peace Council is a non-governmental, humanitarian, charitable society working for the betterment of humanity. It advances unity and peace by disseminating the key messages of both Swāmījī’s master, Swāmī Madhavānanda, and of Mahātmā Gandhi—the two guiding figures for the council. Its central aim is to support international dialogue between individuals, nations, cultures and religions on peace, ethics, spirituality, education, health, youth and environmental sustainability. Each year it holds a World Peace Summit to raise global awareness and strengthen resolve for lasting world peace, demonstrating tolerance, respect and understanding by acknowledging unity in diversity. The council also works to promote the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the values of the Earth Charter Initiative. Vishwagurujī has been recognised by statesmen, scientists, doctors and religious dignitaries for his untiring, selfless humanitarian and spiritual service; for his efforts in physical, mental, social and spiritual health; for the betterment of society and peace on earth; and for the protection of living creatures and the natural environment. Through the World Peace Council and related organisations, he has initiated numerous activities: the planting of hundreds of peace trees, peace prayer ceremonies worldwide, international interfaith conferences, and the founding of the Śrī Madhavānanda Austria Hospital in India, which provides medical services to villages that would otherwise lack them. The Rainwater Harvesting Project supplies drinking water to drought-stricken villages. The Gyan Putra Project educates children from underprivileged families, and there are education programmes for women. A university for Ayurveda, naturopathy and yoga has been established, as well as reforestation programmes to save bees, wildlife and birds. Those present on the 2nd of October would have seen a slideshow giving a glimpse of the breadth and scope of these works. Swāmījī carries out this mission through Yoga in Daily Life, the World Peace Council and local representatives. Nagambai has worked over many years to realise some of these projects, persisting against all obstacles with enthusiasm, not only in planting peace trees and in this commemoration but in other activities as well. The final award was given to Ian McKinnon, the man behind the lectern, behind the PMG BCC, behind the council and now behind the regional council. With his support, it may be possible to expand further in the Wellington region and beyond. Ian is unfailingly helpful; at the last minute he will take instructions to change the programme, and he can be relied upon without question. The speaker presented him with a Sevā Award—service to Gandhījī. With Neil Patel having already spoken, the host moved the programme forward to further speakers. Mr. Sandeep Sood, representing the High Commission of India, was invited to address the gathering. Sandeep Sood expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister, Members of Parliament, Bakshī Jī, Dr. Parmar, Melissa Jī, the Mayor of Wellington, Swamijī, Aginbhai and the members of the Mahātmā Gandhi Committee. He thanked Mr. Bakshi, the Minister and the committee for holding the first-ever Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in the New Zealand Parliament. It was an honour to represent the High Commissioner. He recalled how, as a schoolboy, he had resisted reading Gandhi’s autobiography for a competition, but his parents persuaded him, and as he read he discovered a man who could reveal everything about himself—his life and innermost thoughts—on paper for the world. That level of attainment left a deep impression, and he believed it shaped the psyche of India at that time, a legacy that endures. He quoted, “An ounce of patience is greater than a ton of preaching,” and so would not take much time. He was also reminded of “Continue to grow and evolve,” and felt proud that India has grown and that Indians everywhere are respected and held in high esteem, with a little of Gandhījī in each of us. He thanked those present for representing India and hosting the event, and announced that construction of the new High Commission building would soon begin, expressing the hope of welcoming everyone there in the near future. The host then prepared to close the meeting with Swāmījī’s words, but first invited Mrs. Tarimban Bana, president of the Wellington Indian Association, to say a few words. Mrs. Bana noted that as one of the last speakers, almost everything had already been said. She thanked Gurujī, Bhakṣījī, the Minister and His Worship, as well as all invited guests and Swamiji for coming. Looking around the room, she recognised about 80% of those present. Walking in, she had not known what to expect, but the banner reminded her that everyone could take life’s teaching from Mādhāvjī—he has taught so much. Like Sandeep Jī, she recalled how as a child the teachings of Mātāmājī felt imposed, a burden, yet over time she came to understand what he stood for. In her leadership role, patience, community and service to others come to mind: “To find yourself, you have to lose yourself in the service of others.” Many in the room have done just that. She congratulated all award winners, thanked Nagin Bey for his persistence—he is the driving force when something needs to be done—and closed with the quote, “Be the change you wish to see,” wishing everyone an enjoyable evening. The host then once more acknowledged the honour of Vishwagurujī’s presence and invited Swāmījī to address the gathering, saying that he could bring everyone closer to Mahātmā Gandhījī than anyone else in the room, making him the appropriate final speaker to provide that linkage. Swāmījī opened with a series of Vedic prayers: “Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ, sarve santu nirāmayāḥ, sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu, mā kaścid duḥkha bhāg bhavet, oṁ, śāntiḥ, śāntiḥ... Asato mā sad gamaya, tamaso mā jyotir gamaya, mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya. Sarveśāṁ svastir bhavatu, sarveśāṁ śāntir bhavatu, sarveśāṁ pūrṇaṁ bhavatu. Lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu. Oṁ tryambakaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ puṣṭi-vardhanam, urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt. Mokṣirvam Vṛttat, Om Śānti Śānti... Bhavatu.” He then offered a salutation to the cosmic light, the Lord of hearts, omniscient and omnipresent, in the divine presence of the Holy Spirit. Greeting the gathering as dear brothers and sisters, he expressed adoration, respect and admiration for the great soul, the father of the nation, Mahātmā Gandhījī. He felt deeply honoured to be in the historic Parliament of New Zealand, and thanked the respected minister, his dear brother Bakshi Sahib, the High Commissioner of India, and his elderly brother Naginve, for whom he has great admiration. He congratulated and extended good wishes to the newly elected mayor, saying, “The best idea is your work. You will show that, yes, you can do it. Many times Gandhījī said, ‘Be the change you wish to see.’ So you will change a lot. Nothing to change, everything is perfect, but you will put on the golden crown.” Swāmījī then shared that while everyone knows much about Gandhījī, he would offer two small examples. He recounted the story of a lady who came to the Sabarmati Ashram with her twelve-year-old son, saying, “Bapu, can you tell my child, ‘Don’t eat too many sweets’?” Gandhījī looked at them and said, “Come after one month.” Though disappointed, she returned a month later. Gandhījī greeted the child warmly and then simply said, “Don’t eat too many sweets.” The child agreed. When the mother asked why she had to wait a month for those two words, Gandhījī smiled and replied, “You know, when you first asked me, I was eating a lot of sweets. So my ātmā, my inner self, does not accept that this innocent child should not eat too many sweets when I am eating them myself.” This, Swāmījī explained, illustrated Gandhījī’s discipline—Atha Yoga Anuśāsanam, the discipline that brings success. He continued: Gandhījī is a great ātmā, and that is why we call him Mahātmā. First there is ātmā, the soul; then Mahātmā, the great soul; and beyond that Paramātmā. The ātmā, the inner self, dissolves into the cosmic light and becomes one with everyone and every entity in the universe—that is Paramātmā. Having rendered such great service not only to humans but to all creatures and the earth, Mahātmā Gandhījī is a great soul. He is not gone; his words, instructions and beautiful smile are always with us. Swāmījī then sang: “Sītā Rām Sītā Rām... Viśvaryāl Patero Na Sabhko Sanmati Dev Bhagavān Sītā Rāghava Rāja Rām Patita Sītā Rām Raghupati Rām.” He noted that Gandhījī was a great bhakta of Bhagavān Śrī Rām, and that “Raghupati Rāghava Rāja Rām” was his very favourite song. The song speaks of the King of the Raghu Kula, Lord Rāma, and the evidence of where one’s faith truly lies. In the last minutes of life, whatever person or name you remember is your dear one. When Mahātma Gāndhījī was tragically shot, he showed his bhakti to Rāma. Swāmījī closed with thanks and best wishes. The host then brought the proceedings to a close on a wonderful note, thanking Swāmījī for an address that captured the legacy that permeates the whole world. He thanked Mr. Sood for representing the Indian High Commission, Swamiji for gracing the event, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi for hosting, Sam Lotulinga for honouring the occasion, and the Members of Parliament for attending despite a full programme. The gathering was invited to thank the host Kanwajit Singh Bakshi and the Minister particularly, and a chant concluded: “Mahāprabhujī Karatā, Mahāprabhujī Karatā, Mahāprabhujī, Mahāprabhujī Karatā He Kevalam, Mahāprabhujī Karatā He Kevalam.” With that, the ceremony ended.