The Peace Torch came to western India for a series of events in the capital city of Panaji, in the State of Goa. Over the three days many people participated in passing the torch for peace and harmony as the feeling of friendship and oneness prevailed. At one event the ‘Dreamer of World Peace’ statue was dedicated in honor of the founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chimmoy. Since India is the country where he was born and grew up it was a very special feeling to have these events here in his own original ‘home country’.
Photo captions:
1.Devashishu hands the Peace Torch to Ashok to carry to a table tennis tournament organized by the Sri Chinmoy Centre in the city of Panaji, Goa, India on November 10.
The Torch is received at the Sports Authority of Goa indoor stadium where the event took place.
Devashishu introduces the Peace Run to the participants gathered there to compete in the tournament.
Ashrita passes the torch as it makes its way around the stadium.
Some of the competitors were children who were very good at the game. This young girl was an excellent player who won top prize for the children’s categories.
Ashrita sets a new Guinness world record for the audience. He balanced a running lawn mower on his chin for three minutes, beating the previous record by 41 seconds
Some of our friends from Bombay got to hold the torch with Ashok after the ceremony.
The torch made its way to the Kala Academy (of Art) where Arpan introduces the Peace Run.
The torch is passed to our guests and then around the audience gathered for the ‘Dreamer of World Peace’ , a Sri Chinmoy Statue inauguration.
Ashrita presents the Chairman of the Kala Academy, Mr. Vishnu Wagh, with the Torch Bearer Award for all of his work with the Arts and Music at this prestigious school.
Mr. Wagh got a chuckle from the audience when he mentioned that he earned a gold medal and he did not even have to run a step.
After the Statue Inauguration Ashok poses with the torch by the statue of Sri Chinmoy aptly called: ‘Dreamer of World Peace’. Ashok spent many months organizing this program with the help of the Kala Academy Administrators. We are very grateful to them for kindly hosting such an important event.
