After a special meditation near our headquarters in Jamaica, Queens, NY, we started at City Hall in Norwalk, where we were interviewed by News 12 in Connecticut.
To watch the interview: https://connecticut.news12.com/runners-unite-for-sri-chinmoy-oneness-home-peace-run-in-norwalk
We then ran to Naramake Ele School where we were greeted by an energetic group of students with great artwork to share.
Atul from India (now living in Australia) carried the torch in to share with the kids.
Santiva from Mexico shared how we feel peace in our hearts, that can be shared and spread to others.
Suhasini from Bali shared the motto of the Run: Peace Begins with Me.
Atul demonstrates a yoga posture as a hint of where he is from.
The correct guess was INDIA.
Singing and expressing the World Harmony Run Song.
A lot of incredible artwork.
The Torch-Bearer Award was presented to two special recipients.
(Left) State Senator Bob Duff and (Right) Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling were celebrated for their decades of service to communities in Connecticut. Their commitment to peace was deeply appreciated.
Also joining the ceremony (center) was Robert Stowers, Director of Recreation and Parks in Norwalk. Robert also spent many years in Seattle, Washington where two of the runners come from and compared running notes!
The Norwalk Police Department provided police escort from the school to our next destination, which provided a lot of fanfare!
Our next ceremony was at Stew Leonard's, the "The World's Largest Dairy Store" and Fortune magazine listed it as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For".
You could really feel the enthusiastic family spirit, and we presented the Torch-Bearer Award, which Nicole graciously accepted on behalf of the business.
The large sign featured the Peace Run, which was a delight for the runners to see.
The Hass family provided lunch at Sherwood Island State Park.
We ended the day at Nripal and Nidrahara's wonderful home where we had an incredible Indian dinner.
Their home is so warm and comfortable, and on our traditional US run it is the last place we stay before finishing the Run in NY. However this year it was our first place, and they provided this incredible chocolate mousse cake.
Their backyard was a sanctuary of meditation and beauty. It was a truly uplifting way to start this year's Run.
