Los Angeles Consulate Marks Gandhi Jayanti With Tributes, Community Outreach
India-West News Desk
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Consulate General of India, Los Angeles, led a series of commemorative and community programs across Southern California and Nevada, with two events in the Los Angeles area marking the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and reinforcing the Consulate’s engagement with the Indian diaspora.
The Gandhi Jayanti observances were held in Los Angeles on October 2, with a morning program in Pacific Palisades and an evening commemoration and community interaction in Cerritos.
Consul General Dr. K. J. Srinivasa led both programs, paying tribute to Gandhi’s legacy while also referencing Shastri’s message of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
Self-Realization Fellowship
In the morning, the Consulate held a program in collaboration with Self-Realization Fellowship at the SRF Lake Shrine, where participants paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial. The memorial contains a portion of Gandhi’s ashes, which Paramahansa Yogananda had enshrined there.
Srinivasa highlighted Gandhi’s enduring values of truth, peace and nonviolence. He also spoke of the shared commitment of India and the United States to democratic values, peace and respect for humanity.
Swami Vishwananda Giri, vice president of Self-Realization Fellowship, and Brother Satyananda, minister-in-charge of SRF Lake Shrine, addressed the gathering. Srinivasa later led guests in a silent procession along the lakeside path to the Court of All Religions.
Chugh Firm
The evening commemoration in Cerritos brought the observance directly to the Indian American community in the Los Angeles area. Held at Chugh, LLP Attorneys & CPAs, the program began with Srinivasa garlanding a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and offering floral tributes.
The Cerritos gathering, spearheaded by Navneet Chugh whose office has installed the iconic Gandhi statue in SoCal also featured an open interaction between the Consul General and members of the Indian diaspora.
Community members reflected on Gandhi’s life and legacy and their continuing relevance today, while raising a range of issues of interest and concern. Srinivasa listened to their views, interacted with guests and addressed questions and concerns raised by participants.
The interaction provided an opportunity for community members to engage directly with the Consulate in an open setting, extending the Gandhi Jayanti commemoration beyond ceremonial tributes to dialogue and community participation. The Consulate General of India, Los Angeles, has emphasized its commitment to engaging closely with the Indian diaspora and promoting the values of peace, service, dialogue and community participation, it pointed out.
Las Vegas
In Las Vegas on October 3, the Consulate, in collaboration with Friends of India – Las Vegas, brought together more than 100 community members for a morning run centered on fitness, unity and community participation. The program began with renditions of Vande Mataram and the National Anthem by members of the Indian diaspora.
Children, youth, adults and senior citizens took part in the run, held under the theme “Swasth Bharat, Viksit Bharat.” Following the event, Srinivasa interacted with community members on issues and topics of interest to the diaspora, giving participants an opportunity to share their views and concerns directly with the Consulate.
San Diego
The following day, on October 4, Srinivasa inaugurated another Viksit Bharat Run at Lake Hodges in Escondido, organized by the Consulate in collaboration with CRY San Diego. Indian diaspora families across generations, from young children to senior citizens, participated in the event along the scenic trail.
Srinivasa encouraged participants to embrace fitness and community involvement while contributing to the goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” He emphasized the role of the Indian diaspora, particularly younger generations, in India’s development and encouraged community members to remain connected with India and contribute through their ideas, skills and leadership.
The San Diego event was supported by community organizations including Brahma Kumaris and San Diego Tamil Sangam. Srinivasa thanked participating organizations, volunteers and community members for their efforts.
