Part 3-06 Highlights: Honour Individuals

Filed under Proj-Event-Highlights

In the spirit of Encouragement, Appreciation and Gratitude

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Honouring and about individuals significant contributions

  • – Nationals of Member Countries
    • Eleanor Roosevelt,
    • John Kennedy,
    •  

Nelson Mandala

(meet at UN) there.

Sri Chinmoy and Nelson Mandela, United Nations

  22 June 1990 after Nelson Mandela addressed the UN General Assembly

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The first meeting between Nelson Mandela and Sri Chinmoy occurred at the United Nations in June 1990, soon after Mr. Mandela’s release from prison. On this occasion, Sri Chinmoy presented Nelson Mandela with a song he had composed for him entitled “A Perfect Justice-Voice”. The words begin:

“Nelson Mandela, torture-sufferer supreme, High Heaven’s Smile and earth’s solace-dream.” [fn:1]

Excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s address to UN General Assembly:

“We hold it as an inviolable principle that racism must be opposed by all the means that humanity has at its disposal. Wherever it occurs it has the potential to result in a systematic and comprehensive denial of human rights to those who are discriminated against. This is because all racism is inherently a challenge to human rights, because it denies the view that every human being is a person of equal worth with any other, because it treats entire peoples as sub-human. “

“Let us, by our joint actions, vindicate the purposes for which this Organization was established and create a situation wherein its Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will become part of the body of law on which will be based the political and social order of a new South Africa. Our common victory is assured.”

– from Nelson Mandela address to t UN General Assembly Here:  https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/statement_SCAA_1990.shtml

Martin Luther King and Mrs. King

(Christmas carols under music)

Secretaries- General

 Trygve Lie

(see also info in 3-02 History about UN Meditation “room of Quiet”)

Dag Hammarskjold

(see also info in 3-02 History about UN Meditation “room of Quiet”

  •  

U Thant

(see also” U Thant Peace Award” and “U Thant Island: Compassion Home”)

 

 

U Thant Peace Award to Daw Aye Aye Thant, 28 June 2007

On 28 June 2007, Sri Chinmoy had the honour of presenting the U Thant Peace Award to Daw Aye Aye Thant, U Thant’s daughter, at Aspiration-Ground meditation garden in Jamaica Hills, New York. Accompanying her was her husband, Tyn Myint-U. Following are excerpts from Aye Aye’s remarks after the presentation:

“It was such a moving, moving experience for me, and I am really very, very grateful to Sri Chinmoy and to all of you. It was such a pleasure to be here tonight, to see a lot of our long-time friends and new friends from the Peace Meditation at the United Nations. It brings back a lot of cherished memories of the time in the evening that we were in Harrison at the premiere of Sri Chinmoy’s play about the life of the Buddha, and a short boat trip that we made for the groundbreaking ceremony of U Thant Island.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Sri Chinmoy for honouring the memory of my father by recognising individuals for their service to world peace and the betterment of humanity with the U Thant Peace Award. I am greatly humbled to be among such illustrious recipients to receive this award.

Sri Chinmoy has the honour of presenting the U Thant Peace Award to Daw Aye Aye Thant, U Thant’s daughter, at Aspiration-Ground meditation garden in Jamaica Hills, New York, on 28 June 2007. Accompanying her is her husband, Tyn Myint-U.

Sri Chinmoy has the honour of presenting the U Thant Peace Award to Daw Aye Aye Thant, U Thant’s daughter, at Aspiration-Ground meditation garden in Jamaica Hills, New York, on 28 June 2007. Accompanying her is her husband, Tyn Myint-U.

“Sri Chinmoy and friends, may I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to you for your dedication to world peace by advocating the virtues of tolerance, compassion and mutual understanding. These virtues are also reflected in the goal and mission of the U Thant Institute. By reflecting my father’s belief in the need for tolerance and compassion in dealing with global problems, the U Thant Institute has, since its inception, undertaken various programmes to promote increased understanding of our global neighbours and the problems facing them as means to discern the root causes of conflicts.

“My father believed that education played a major role in advancing peace. The Institute’s latest initiative, the Friendship Across Cultures Program, therefore, is connecting middle schools in the United States with schools around the world. This programme will promote intercultural understanding and the value of diversity. Since the mission of the U Thant Institute is to promote a spirit of one world, as envisioned by my father, this programme reflects my father’s vision.

“In the introduction page of the U Thant Peace Award booklet, it says—I quote—’The Award perpetuates the memory of U Thant and his exemplary devotion to peace in both his personal and his political life’. Indeed, in his personal life, for his family, he was a living example of a man of great inner strength, serenity and self-discipline, as he demonstrated during his fight with cancer. His religion, Buddhism, gave him great strength, and among the teachings of Buddha, the ethical aspects of Buddhism greatly influenced him.

“Meditation also helped him in his day-to-day function as the Secretary-General. He practised meditation with great devotion. He believed in the importance of having inner peace through meditation before being able to work for peace. He said, quote, ‘We live in a world of noise, yet our conscience is called the still, small voice. If there is no peace in the world, it is because there is no peace in the minds of men.’ He said we should devote, even for one minute, thoughts of good will and peace by setting aside time each day to communicate with ourselves.

“My father shared with Sri Chinmoy the value of spiritual development as taught in all great religions: the key to creating the peaceful society. I hope we will all find time in our busy lives to listen to our own inner thoughts of peace and good will, and to hear our still, small voices as we work towards the cause of peace and prosperity for our fellow citizens of the world.

“May I wish you all, as my father did in 1973, peace of mind and eternal joy. It is such a moving experience for me to be here today. My father would have been so happy that you all have continued the spiritual journey towards the goal of world peace. Thank you so much.”

Gallery:

Kurt Waldheim

Javier Perez De Cuellar

Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Kofie Annan

Ban Ki-Moon  

Letters?

Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Desai 1978 Jun 12

Filed under asia-oceana | Significant events & meetings | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation | Edit

During his visit to the United Nations for the special session on disarmament, Indian Prime Minister Desai received members of the Meditation Group in a private meeting on 12 June 1978.

Shraddha

The Group sang a Bengali song composed by Sri Chinmoy in honour of the Prime Minister, and Sri Chinmoy presented him with a plaque of appreciation with an inscription of the song. Sri Chinmoy and

Prime Minister Desai spoke about the Bhagavad-Gita and the need for spiritual discipline in man’s efforts toward world peace.

Sri Chinmoy: Dear Prime Minister, with you India is great and good; in you India is safe and happy.

Prime Minister Desai: India can ‘t be saved by one man. India can be saved only if people do their thing properly.

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Prime Minister Desi: I have written a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita because I could not find the meaning of some verses satisfactorily in all the commentaries that I read. Therefore, only when I committed the Gita to memory, when I was in jail in 1934, and I began to recite it every day and apply it to myself, did the meaning become very clear, because I had complete confidence and faith in the Gita, that what it says is right. The Gita gives a solution to every problem. At any rate, when there is a conflict of duty, it gives the right answer. One must accept the Gita’s guidance. The gist of it is that you must be at peace with yourself. There should be no tension, no excitement no anger.

 

Sri Chinmoy: And for that you have all along taught us to lead a disciplined life.

 

Prime Minister Desai : To have discipline is not enough. It must be self-discipline.

Sri Chinmoy: That is what you have been teaching us for so many years. A life of discipline is of paramount importance.

Prime Minister Desai: Without that you can get nothing.

Fuller text as appeared in “Meditation at the UN”  Jun 1978

A MEETING WITH IND IAN PRIME MINISTER DESAI

During his visit to the United Nations for the special session on disarmament, Indian Prime Minister Desai received members of the Meditation Group in a  private meeting on 12 June 1978.

The Group sang a Bengali song composed by Sri Chinmoy in honour of the Prime Minister, and Sri Chinmoy presented him with a plaque of appreciation with an inscription of the song. Sri Chinmoy and Prime Minister Desai spoke about the Bhagavad-Gita and the need for spiritual discipline in man’s efforts toward world peace.

Sri Chinmoy:

Dear Prime Minister, with you India is great and good; in you India is safe and happy.

Prime Minister Desai:

India can’t be saved by one man. India can be saved only if people do their thing properly.

 Prime Minister Desai:

All of you work at the United Nations? So I hope you will unite the United Nations. The United Nations is called ‘United Nations’, but they are not yet united. So you have to unite them.

Prime Minister Desai:

I have written a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita because I could not find the meaning of some verses satisfactorily in all the commentaries that I read. Therefore, only when I committed the Gita to memory, when I was in jail in 1934, and I began to recite it every day and applying it to myself, then the meaning be-came very clear, because I had complete confidence and faith in the Gita, that what it says is right.

If I don’t understand it, it is my fault. And that is why I wrote the commentary, because when a friend asked me questions about two or three verses, I couldn’t give him a satisfactory reply.  I thought I would put down on paper what I under-stand. That is my sole writing.

The Gita gives a solution to every problem. At any rate, when there is a conflict of duty, it gives the right answer.

Sri Chinmoy:

Right at the very beginning Arjuna had that problem.

Prime Minister Desai:

It is a problem every-where. In everyone there is a problem of good and evil. It goes on all the time. So one must accept the Gita’s guidance. The gist of it is that you must be at peace with yourself. There should be no tension, no excitement, no anger.

Sri Chinmoy:

And for that you have all along taught us to lead a disciplined life.

Prime Minister Desai:

To have discipline is not enough. It must be self-discipline.

Sri Chinmoy:

That is what you have been teaching us for  so many years.  A life of discipline is of paramount importance.

Prime Minister Desai:

Without that you can get nothing

 

Pranam Pradhan Mantri Desai   Composed on Sep. 22nd, 1977

Lyrics:

Pranam pradhan mantri Desai
Bharata basir paraner bhai
Satya pujari shanti adhar
Bharata tarir he karnadhar
Pranam pradhan mantri Desai
Bharata basir paraner bhai
Chaliche bharat druta ati druta
Purna haibe manoratha puta
Shuna taba joy chira nirbhoi
Tyagi bhaskar anandamoy

Translation:

Salutation, Prime Minister Desai!
You are the Brother of Indian hearts.
O worshipper of Truth,
O embodiment of Peace,
You are the Pilot Supreme of Indian Boat.
Your Bharat is running fast, very fast.
Your hallowed longing
Shall ere long be fulfilled.
Hearken your victory,
O eternally dauntless one,
O manifestation-sun of infinite Delight!

Elliot Richardson:

For Our Friends – Music. Reception, Refreshments 1986, Dec 03

 

A Special Programme:

Sri Chinmoy the Peace Meditation at the United Nations cordially invites you

to a musical pro9ramme and reception Wednesday, 3 December

1986 Church Center for the United Nations 44th Street and  First Ave. Second Floor 1:00 p.m.

Many friends and colleagues in the international community have attended our meditations and special programmes  during the year, expressing their good willand encouragement to the Meditation Group..

On this occasion we would like to offer our appreciation and gratitude to all our friends.

A buffet lunch will be served following the pro9ramme.

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Senior Officials of UN Organizations Related Programes, Funds and Agencies

– see UN orgs for UNICEf, UNDP, UNOPS Agency leadership mentioned )

  • under  various other sections – music, un orgs etc
    • Bradford Moss USG – un orgs undp
    • James Grant, USG -un orgs unicef

Anwarul Chowdhury,

Art Show and “Lifting Up the World” for UN Community – SUMMARY -1988 Sept

Filed under Art Exhibits | asia-oceana | europe | Lift World – Oneness – Heart | MG Members in other events | Sport & Athletics | Thoughts from the UN community. | Edit

The New Yorker Magazine and Classical Keyboard Instruments jointly sponsored an exhibition of Sri Chinmoy’s Jharna-Kala paintings on Sept. 15 at Buchman Hall on the upper East Side of Manhattan..

Afterwards, Sri Chinmoy went to a nearby gym and lifted with one arm several of the dignitaries who had come to the reception, including C. V. Narasimhan, Chef de Cabinet for three UN Secretaries-General.

For additional PHOTOS of event see also:

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“Lifting Up the World” for UN Community 1988 Sept 15 > More>PHOTOS

The “Lifting up the World with a Oneness – Heart  recognizes men an woman of inspiration and dedication.

Awards  given to  “World Servers”, included to:

  • Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury from Bangladesh,
  • Ambassador Arthur Lall of India and Professor Betty Lall,
  • Dr Janis Klavins ; and
  • C.V Narasimhan

  USG also under music and art?

The Award Presentation recognized the recipients:

  •   “inspired and dedicated service to the spirit of international co-operation and …
  • “devotion to the the loftiest ideals of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Awards  given to  “World Servers”, included to:

  • Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Director General (UN and Economic Affairs) Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 

 

  • Ambassador Arthur Lall , Former Ambassador of India to the UN; Close associate of Lord Mountbatten.

 

and Professor Betty Lall,

  • Dr Janis Klavins ; and

  C.V Narasimhan, Chef de Cabinet for three UN Secretaries-General.

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Lifting on the Visitors Plaza for UN Day. 1988

 

Millennium Peace Concert and U Thant Award at UN, Amb. Chowdhury 1999 Nov 23

Filed under 2 or more | asia-oceana | U Thant Peace Award | Edit

U Thant Peace Award presented to H.E. Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, at a Millennium Peace Concert by Sri Chinmoy   –   23 November

Millennium Peace Concert – HONOURING H.E. AMBASSADOR ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BANGLADESH TO THE UNITED NATIONS

for his untiring work for peace and especially for his initiatives

towards the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace

TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1999,1:00

PM DAG HAMMARSKJOLD AUDITORIUM, UNITED NATIONS

BANGLADESH DIPLOMAT GETS U Thant AWARD at the UNITED NATIONS

The UN Ambassador from Bangladesh, ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY, received the U Thant Peace Award Nov. 23 during a Peace Concert at the UN’s Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium.

In presenting Anwarul Karim Chowdhury the Award on behalf of The Peace Meditation at the United Nations, Sri Chinmoy said,:

“The world-peace-dreamers, world-peace lovers and world-peace-servers shall treasure your unique offering to the world at large.”

Sri Chinmoy dedicated the Concert, performed before an overflow audience of diplomats and UN staff members, to the “all-illumining and all serving soul of our beloved Bangladesh, my golden Bengal.” Sri Chinmoy was born in East Bengal, then a part of India, in 1931.

-above excerpt on U Thant peace award from: Anahata Nnada- “the soundless sound”, Volume 29. Mid-November 1999 – Mid-March 2000.

Add more information Photos on Concert and U Thant Peace Award Presentation:

 

 

Gallery of possible photos for here or other sections.

Robert Mueller ASG -multiple progs

==============================

E.  U Thant Peace Award and U Thant Island: Compassion Home

U Thant Peace Award and Background

(This may be in other section)  About the U Thant Peace Award:  The U Thant Peace Award is a symbolic presentation by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations to acknowledge, appreciate and admire distinguished accomplishments toward the attainment of world peace.  Recipients of the award must reflect the lofty spiritual ideals of the late Secretary-General of the United Nations, U Thant. Previous recipients of the U Thant Peace Award Include:

Some previous Recipients:

• UN Ambassador Zenon Rossides of Cyprus, for his life-long emphasis on spiritual values as a basis for world peace and his efforts for national security and disarmament. This concern for security and disarmament is echoed in the recent speeches of Professor de Marco;

• Dr. Jorge lIlueca, President of the 38th Session of the UN General Assembly and President of Panama, for his personal example in supporting the ideals of the UN Charter and his long-term service in international relations and International law;

Group offering the award, motivation and respect for U Thant (excerpted from various U Thant award presentations)

This humble award is offered periodically by a group whose members work for the international community in various capacities and have made an additional personal commitment to the world-uniting goals of the United Nations.  The award seeks both to inspire and to support the pursuit of the highest ideals of international service. We consider the support which the Meditation Group offers through this award as part of our own contribution to the spreading of these ideals.  The late Secretary-General U Thant, himself a life-long practitioner of meditation, appreciated and encouraged the early efforts of Sri Chinmoy and the Peace Meditation Group to bring to the fore the powerful spiritual ideals upon which the UN was founded. The U Thant Peace Award was so named in honour of this contemplative world leader’s exemplary devotion to peace in both his personal and his political life.

  • View and Sign from Park in Queens:

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initial  quick grap est from photos

HONOURING INDIVIDUALS

Highlights: Honour Individuals    Highlights: Honour Individuals

In the spirit of Encouragement, Appreciation and Gratitude Honouring individuals (367) Lift World – Oneness – Heart (21) Other Awards, Citations, Presentations (46) Tributes and Expressions of appreciation (264) U Thant Peace Award (41)   See also:   Highlights: Statements, … Read more →

Your commemorations of the achievements of unique individuals such as Pablo Casals, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa, and the efforts of our previous Secretaries-General and Presidents of the General Assembly, would inspire many.

These tributes, and the special awards respectfully offered by Sri Chinmoy,* focus on the great good an individual can contribute in a chosen field.

 

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8 May 2000 Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, United Nations

The U Thant Peace Award is presented to H.E. Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament President of the forty-first session of the General Assembly

Programme Items as noted in detail below:

Welcome by the Master of Ceremonies – Ms. Vijaya Claxton:

Opening meditation – Sri Chinmoy

The Peace Meditation choir perform five songs

  • The first is a song written by Sri Chinmoy in 1986 when Mr. Choudhury was President of  the General Assembly.
  • The second is dedicated to his birthplace, Sylhet.
  • The third is set to his inspiring words about the United Nations.
  • The fourth is dedicated to his beloved Bangladesh, and
  • the last is to the late ~ Secretary-General U Thant.

A video is shown – with remarks by the late Secretary-General U Thant

Introduction to Presentation of the U Thant Peace Award

Sri Chinmoy presents the Award.

The Speaker and Sri Chinmoy  hold aloft the Peace Torch

H.E. Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament:

A recording of Mr. Choudhury singing two Bengali songs is played.

Sri Chinmoy comments

Bangladesh national anthem “Amar sonar Bangla” composed by Rabrindranath Tagore

Dr. Agraha Levine: on behalf of the students of Sri Chinmoy from all over the world

Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms Nations song performed by Choir

Thank you by Master of Ceremonies,

Sri Chinmoy then gave the guests flowers and a prasad cookie in the form of a peace dove. – – –

 

 

Celebrate Life H.R. Choudhury, Pres 41st UNGA, Speaker Bangladesh Parliament – 2001 Jul 27

A prayerful homage celebrating the life and work of Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury,  President of the 41st Session of the General Assembly and Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament 

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2001-07-jul-27-life-of-H-R-Choudhury-bangladesh-prog-ocr_Page_22001-07-jul-27-life-of-H-R-Choudhury-bangladesh-prog-ocr_Page_32001-07-jul-27-life-of-H-R-Choudhury-bangladesh-prog-ocr_Page_42001-07-jul-27-life-of-H-R-Choudhury-bangladesh-prog-ocr_Page_5To take some excerpts of statement from daughter

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Moment of silence led by Sri Chinmoy

Leader of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations

Musical dedication

Songs composed by Sri Chinmoy in honour of Humayun Rasheed Choudhury and performed by the Peace Meditation Choir

Tributes

Video presentation

Bangladesh National Anthem

Programme offered by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations and the UNSRC Society of Writers

get text of below from CKF to excerpt

Sri Chinmoy had previously (on 11 Nov 2000) dedicated his book Moghul Emperors to Humayun Rasheed Choudhury M.P.
Speaker, Bangladesh Parliament.

 DEDICATION
I humbly dedicate this book about the illustrious Moghul Emperors to my highly esteemed Brother-Friend, the Honourable Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament, on the most auspicious occasion of his birthday on November 11th.
Humayun Choudhury is not only a supreme authority on the literature, culture, art, history and philosophy of our Indian sub-continent, but also a most haunting singing voice, specially when he sings Rabindranath Tagore’s spiritual and devotional songs. His singing transports the listeners to a transcendental height of peace, bliss, oneness and fulness.   SRI CHINMOY November 11th, 2000.

1984 Memorial tribute to Indira Gandhi , Nov 02

Filed under asia-oceana | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation | Edit

 A Programme was organized by Sri Chinmoy: the Peace Meditation at the United Nations

In the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium at the United Nations on Nov 02, 1984

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More photo and texts to be added as available:

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1984-11-02-01-Indira-Gandhi-prog-un-Meditation-Choir.

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A excerpt from the Statement of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly was read out at the Dag Hammarskjold programme:

1984-11-nov-02-tribute-India-PM-Indira-Gandhi-statements_Page_02

 

Statement on behalf of the Government and People of India toward the end of Programme in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium on 02 Nov 1984:1984-11-nov-02-tribute-India-PM-Indira-Gandhi-statements_Page_121984-11-nov-02-tribute-India-PM-Indira-Gandhi-statements_Page_13

Reflections by Indian Leaders and United Nations Officials 1987 Apr 14 9see section Part 3-14 Statements, tributes from international community 1995, 2005 and Present – Kind Words

In Gratitude for Friends of the Peace Meditation at UN 05 May 1978

Filed under Thanksgiving – Gratitude | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

At the 05 May 1978 meditation held in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium.

 

Sri Chinmoy thanked some of the friends of the Meditation Group. who were present for their participation and support of the Group’s activities.

 

“Our dear ambassadors, our highly esteemed brothers and sisters, we wish to offer you once more our hearts’  soulful gratitude. …”This time with your kind permission we to offer our soulful gratitude in prayerful  silence.

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

Some of the Members sang and others recited related to the theme of the day:

As an outer expression of the group’s gratitude, Sri Chinmoy then offered flowers and a special cake to each guest present on the occasion,:

Ambassador Rossides of Cyprus,

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

Ambassador Thomas of Liberia

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

and

Sister Janet Richardson of the Holy See Mission.

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

Mr Suba Rao – UN Secretariat

(c) Copyrights Sri Chinmoy Centre

Honour founder: Temple of Understanding, Mrs. Judith Hollister, 1984 Dec 07

Filed under Tributes and Expressions of appreciation | Edit

7 December -Programme to honour the founder of the Temple of Understanding, Mrs. Judith Hollister

984-12-06-02-founder-Temple-understanding-Hollister-group-crp

Shraddha

Shraddha

Shraddha

 here or under 3-07 music or 3-05 country since India and  Bangladesh have Tagore as composer for their National Anthems :

Observe Rabindranath Tagore 118th Birthday, 07 May 1979

Dedication to Rabindranath Tagore

On 7 May 1979 the Meditation Group observed Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday- 5 May 1861-with a ceremony held in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium.

Sri Chinmoy offered selections in Bengali from Tagore’s poetry and music

1979-05-07may-Tagore-Birthday-observedi-chinmoy-plays-sings-at-un scaled 562-kb

1979-05-06may-02.jpg was 07 may 14mb

and also performed his own original song about the poet.

Other passages from Tagore’s works were read in English.

Shraddha

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The programme ended with India’s National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,” which was composed by Tagore.

 

Sri Chinmoy offers a silent tribute to Tagore.

 

BHARATER RABI

(Dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore)

O Sun of India’s sky,

O World-Poet,

O Moon of Bengal’s heart,

You were beautiful in your inner life,

You were beautiful in your outer life,

You were beauty incarnate in God’s entire creation,

Gloriously and triumphantly you secure your place

In the world-assembly with your creative force,

Supremely meaningful and fruitful in various walks of life ,

Bharater rabi jagater kabi

Banger hiya chand

Sundar tumi bhitare bahire

Sundar tumi srishti gabhire

Bishwa sabhai tomar asan

Prema onkar nad

Excerpt from: “Meditation at UN” – Vo 08, No 07; 27 Jul 1980, Bulletin SEE page 21 – 22

Download 2 pages in PDF: 1979-05-may-07-Tagore-BDscpmaun-1980-07-27-pp-21-22.pdf

 

 

Ravi Shankar Memorial 2012 Dec 20

Members of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations attended the Memorial for Ravi Shankar on 20 December 2012. It was held at the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, California.

More text and photos to be added as available.

Sri Chinmoy the leader of the Peace Meditation at the UN  and Ravi Shankar had met on many occasions. Members of the Peace Meditation at the UN were often present and some times were part of the activities or associated performances.

 

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his article appeared in the double issue number 2 -3 of the

1996 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Staff News

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Who climbs icy cliffs, runs marathons, competes in the Inter-Agency Games, directs a Fitness Centre, hosts concerts and caters banquets? Collectively, it’s the UNICEF staff members of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations. The Peace Meditation is attended by a number of our UNICEF colleagues, several of whom have been·serving the agency for over 20 years.

Sri Chinmoy has been leader of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations since 1970, when a group of Secretariat staff members invited him to conduct meditations at UN headquarters to focus on the ideals on which the organization was founded. The late Secretary-General U Thant, himself a devoted practitioner of meditation, warmly encouraged Sri Chinmoy’s endeavours.

From the Village to the World

more at:   https://www.srichinmoypeacemeditationatun.org/1996/06/30/sri-chinmoy-peace-meditation-at-un-a-unicef-presence-1996-jun-30/

Sri Chinmoy was born in Bengal, India in 1931, into a devout family. After the passing of his parents, he joined his elder brothers and sisters at a spiritual community in South India, where he lived from the ages of 12 to 32. There he excelled in sports, mastered English rhyme and metre, sang and composed songs – and, most importantly, practised meditation and other spiritual disciplines for hours each day. Heeding an inner call to be of service to peace-seekers in the Western world, this sheltered soul left his native shores in 1964 for New York. With the assistance of kind friends, he secured a junior clerical position at the Indian consulate. In the evenings he began holding meditations for a widening circle of spiritual aspirants.

The universality of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy has touched seekers throughout the world – people of all nationalities, races, faiths and cultures. He harmonizes the goals of individual peace and world peace with his message of unity in diversity, teaching the importance of prayer, meditation, discipline, self-giving and the feeling of oneness with the highest and its multifarious manifestations on earth. Most importantly, he emphasizes that living a spiritual life is both possible and practical in today’s world.

United Nations, The Heart-Home of the World Body

During the past quarter century, Sri Chinmoy has continued to offer meditations for world peace twice weekly at UN headquarters. He has also spoken and written extensively about the spiritual role of the United 22 Nations as the principal instrument of peace and oneness for the world family. In 1995, two extensive volumes of Sri Chinmoy’s writings were published: The Garland of Nation Souls, including his talks at the UN; and My Meditation-Service at the United Nations, a compendium of his answers to questions asked by those attending the Peace Meditation over the years.

With Sri Chinmoy’s encouragement, the members of the Peace Meditation Group, with friends and colleagues around the world, have organized numerous activities to highlight UN ideals and foster international harmony. These include

  • Peace Walks;
  • one mile Fun Runs for UN staff;
  • interfaith Prayer Breakfasts;
  • world-wide observances of Seven Minutes for Peace on United Nations Day;
  • Peace Concerts by Sri Chinmoy for special UN anniversaries;
  • benefit concerts and sports events for UNICEF; and
  • programmes to honour the cultural and spiritual contributions of member States and individuals who have dedicated their energies to world peace.

The Message of Self Transcendence

In his daily life, Sri Chinmoy lives by a motto that all of us serving the United Nations might well adopt: ”Never give up!” He is a prolific writer, painter and composer. In physical achievements, perhaps more vividly than in any other field, Sri Chinmoy has demonstrated the power of meditation coupled with determination. A track-and-field champion in his youth, he now, at age 65, competes enthusiastically in sprinting, rowing and other athletic events, and his weightlifting accomplishments have become legendary.

Peace Meditation Members at UNICEF

For Sri Chinmoy’s students, meditation is far from an isolated abstraction or an escape from reality; it is the foundation for every day’s aspirations and attainments, and the strength to face the inevitable hurdles. Sunil Davidson of DFM, who succeeded in swimming the English Channel several years ago along with colleague Adhiratha Keefe, scaled over 50 rock and ice peaks in 1995 to commemorate the UN’s 50th anniversary. K. Baertsch of IRM and Saral Opera, DOC, journeyed to this year’s Inter-Agency Games in Vichy, where they competed for the UN Headquarters team, which later captured the men’s prize – thanks to the special coaching of Jorge Hernandez-Mora of DOC.

The sprinters in the Peace Meditation are outnumbered by the marathoners. Almost all the UNICEF meditation staffers have completed at least one 26.2 mile odyssey, and some have gone the distance more than twenty times! UNICEF’s Fitness Centre was the creation of tennis buff P.Bushek of IRM. Chetana Hein (DOC) is ranked 8th in the US in her age category in the javelin throw, and just a bit lower in discus.

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Especially for UNICEF

In 1988, just outside the entrance to UNICEF House, Sri Chinmoy honoured Executive Director James Grant by lifting him up, on a special platform, with one arm. Beaming, Mr. Grant ad-libbed, ”Now that peace is breaking out everywhere, we have to help push it up!” In September 1994, Sri . Chinmoy presented to Mr. Grant the Peace Meditation Group’s U Thant Peace Award. Visibly moved, Mr. Grant spontaneously touched on the very themes that motivate the Peace Meditation colleagues at UNICEF and throughout the UN.

“We know that individuals can make a difference for peace,” he said, ” I personally happen to believe that meditation contributes not only to individual peace, but also to the way people relate to others around them…. I am appreciative of receiving this Award from such treasured hands and such a treasured Group.” That is what inspires the UNICEF staff who attend the Peace Meditation: the certainty that individuals can make a difference.

Chandika Kapalika, UNICEF New York, Nemi Fredner, UNDP New York

UNICEF Meditation – 1977 March 17 Staff Birthday, Song + visit to some offices link.

UNICEF Meditation .…………………………. .. .. 40

On 17 March, UNICEF members of the Meditation Group at the UN gave Teri (Chayanika)  Sanna – Schiffel a birthday party at the Alcoa Building. About sixty UNICEF staff members attended the programme, which included a short meditation led by Sri Chinmoy and a seven-course meal cooked by Teri.

The Group’s singers sang songs about the United Nations and Sri Chinmoy joined a few performers for a song about UNICEF, which he had just composed. The song appears below.

 

 

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Song dedicated to UNICEF

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See also:  After the programme Sri Chinmoy also visited some Unicef  Staff members offices: or another date sep 22?

The song helped remind some of the Goals of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)  and its role as the designated lead coordinating agency for the upcoming 1979 International Year of the Child (IYC).

The event ws also covered with photo in the 17 May 1977 issue of the UN Secretariat News.

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(some individual  photos  to 3-16 at end )

Visits to UNICEF Offices with Staff -date? -possibily sept 22 1979   

On 22 September, 1980 after one a Peace Meditation Programmes at  the United Nations,  Sri Chinmoy visited the UNICEF Headquarters Alcoa Building on 49th st? and First Ave. Sri Chinmoy went to different floors in the building where members of he Peace Meditation Group worked. In the work areas and offices he chatted with our Peace Meditation members and staff colleagues for a few minutes. Below are some photos from the visit – see more in galleries below

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Sri Chinmoy in the Unicef Documents Distribution Area

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Sri Chinmoy with John Charnow Secretary of the UNICEF Executive Board

 

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Sri Chinmoy with Nicholas van Oudenhoven, Development Education Officer.

and Colleague of Chetana Hein and Chandika Kapilika

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1980-09-22-05-sri-chinmoy-N-van-Oudenhoven-UNICEF-Dev-Ed-Officer-Chandika

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Sri Chinmoy walking upon leaving the UNICEF Headquarters Alcoa Building in 1980

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Sri Chinmoy visits with Karabi Hart in the UNICEF Supply Division

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Tribute to Nelson Rockefeller 2 Feb 1979

On 2 February 1979 United Nations diplomats and staff joined members of the Meditation Group in a tribute to Nelson  Rockefeller, held in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium at New York Head-quarters. The programme opened with silent meditation led by Sri Chinmoy and the singing of his new song dedicated to Nelson Rockefeller by the Meditation Group choir. and Mr. Donald Keys of Planetary Citizens then offered moving and significant personal accounts of Mr. Rockefeller and statements were read out from U.N. ambassadors and U.S. Government officials. Sri Chinmoy Meditation a t the United Nations was invited to sing the Rockefeller song again at a February 4th tribute service at the Union Church in Pocantico Hills, which was attended by Mrs. Happy Rockefeller as well as t he Laurence Rockefellers. A transcript of the United Nations service as well as the statements follow.

Include excerpts from: New York Senator Jacob Javits, former New York City Mayor John V . Lindsay

Especially related to UN founding.  Land and resources. And spirit  – really quite amazing  for the on line version should be a link to more of talk…

https://www.srichinmoypeacemeditationatun.org/1979/02/02/tribute-to-nelson-rockefeller-2-feb-1979/

Mahavishnu Gallery: