World Peace Day And UN Day Celebrated In SoCal

India-West News Desk

ORANGE, CA – The 2026 World Peace Day and United Nations Day celebration was held October 4 in Orange, featuring an award ceremony, speeches and a multicultural cultural program.

The event was organized by Global Peace Foundation Inc., UNA-USA Long Beach Chapter and GOPIO South Bay. It began with a prayer recited by Acharya Choodamani Pathak, priest of the Pashupatinath Nepalese Temple in Norwalk. Tributes were paid to those who lost their lives in the flooding that struck Nepal in the preceding weeks.

This year’s Peace Award was presented to Barbara G. Muller, a longtime peace advocate, former president of UN-USA Southern California and host of a peace podcast.

Other awards recognized science students from Cabrillo High School for their project, Flying Soccer, which has received international recognition.

The awards were presented by U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim, who represents California’s 40th Congressional District; event grand sponsors Avadhesh and Uma Agarwal; and Hollywood film producer Steven Ross.

The program also featured Rima Nashashibi, founder and president of Global Hope 365, known for her work to prevent child marriage and human trafficking, and Sister Diane Tillman, president of Brahma Kumaris of Seal Beach, an author and former president of the UNA-USA Long Beach Chapter.

Dr. Manorama S. Gupta, president of all three organizing groups, directed the event and outlined their goals and missions. “Peace begins when we recognize the dignity of every individual and work together to create opportunities for everyone to live with hope and purpose,” Gupta said. “Through this celebration, we want to inspire our community to embrace peace, strengthen understanding among people of different backgrounds, and support AbilityFirst in its important work of empowering individuals with disabilities.”

Kim presented Gupta with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition, praising her efforts to bring communities together, help children with disabilities and encourage the younger generation.

The event also included a fundraising drive and donations for AbilityFirst, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities develop their skills, confidence and independence and build a sense of belonging. AbilityFirst students shared personal accounts of how the organization’s support had changed their lives and helped them work toward self-sufficiency.

Kenneth Fisher, a Cabrillo High School teacher who guided the students behind the award-winning Flying Soccer science project, presented an overview of their work and its recognition.

The program also included multicultural music and dance performances.