Our morning began with a stop at the head office of Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson welcomes the executors of the Harmony Peace Run, which is returning to the Bahamas for the third time in its 27-year history. Olympic Gold Medallist Ramon Miller was present to greeat the Peace Run team. All of the participants will be participating in the full length of the run here in Nassau. Photo: Felicity Ingraham, Bahamas Weekly.
We had a press conference to announce the coming weeks activities.
Director of Sports Mr. Timothy Munnings (centre) welcomed everyone and introduced the event.
Peace Run Executive Director, Salil Wilson, thanked the Minsitry for having us and introduced the spirit of the Run as envisioned by founder Sri Chinmoy.
Our dear friend Dr. Davidson Hepburn, former Ambassador of the Bahamas to the United Nations, spoke about Sri Chinmoy and the service he rendered to the United Nations and the international community through numerous art, sport and music initiatives.
Bahamian Peace Run organizer and Chief Sports & Recreation Officer, Oria Wood-Knowles provided details regarding the event.
Adhiratha Keefe spoke about his introduction to the Bahamas through Dr. Hepburn and how he loves the Bahamian spirit.
We then sang the World Harmony Run song.
Salil presented the Torch to Mr. Munnings Senior who served as The Bahamas first President of The Bahamas Olympic Committee. Mr. Munnings also happens to be the father of Mr. Timothy Munnings Director of Sports, also holding the torch.
Dr. Hepburn (right) and friend hold the torch.
In advance of the Press conference on 11 Nov, some of Peace Run team were able to visit our first school of 2013 in the Bahamas: V. Bethal Senior High School. Ms Oria Wood-Knowles of the Ministry of Sports and Culture and Davidson Hepburn former UN Ambassador from the Bahamas were also on hand to share inspiration and details about the upcoming events.
The School Coral Group impressed us enormously with their voices and inspiring messages.
One piece included the message that even though one might face difficulties "You will make it in through some how; Keep moving, keep moving" The founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chinmoy had a similar often quoted message: "There is only one perfect road and that road is ahead of you, always ahead of you.."
Davidson Hepburn gave thoughts about the run, He encouraged participation and to find out more details of history to search on the internet,
Note: When Ambassador Hepburn was the President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) from 2009 to 2011 his message for the 25th anniversary of the Run was translated into 25 languages Video link here: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
Some of the team were fortunate to see amazing art work concerning peace and harmony inside the entrance to the school. The art coordinator was present and explained some of the students work and their process.
Papaha who is from California and has an art Gallery in San Diego was very happy to see the display. It was a wonderful introduction to other inspirational, creative and artistic expressions we would be treated to during the following days of the 2013 Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home World Harmony and Peace Run in the Bahamas.
