This morning we had a beautiful event commemorating the dedication of the world's first Sri Chinmoy Street and the Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
This photo is from 2006 at the original dedication. It shows Sri Chinmoy passing by the Sri Chinmoy Street sign with NYC Councilman Jimmy Gennaro (left) and Queens Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski of New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (right).
The event began with a 2 mile race using the 1-mile loop that is used in the Sri Chinmoy 6 & 10 Day Race. Both events are organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.
Agnikana from Czech Republic was the eventual women's winner.
Devashishu Torpy served as master of ceremonies.
Janice Melnick, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Administrator welcomed everyone and invited us to come and enjoy the Park's open day next week when there will be many of the historic World's Fair monuments open for tours. Janice also expressed gratitude for our long term commitment to the park and all the events we have held here.
Dr. Agraha brought to life Sri Chinmoy's delight at this dedication nine years ago and expressed Sri Chinmoy's sincerest gratitude to have this honor bestowed upon him. He also highlighted how the Sri Chinmoy Street initiative has grown and continued with numerous Sri Chinmoy streets being dedicated around the world.
Ranjana Ghose, President of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, spoke about Sri Chinmoy's love of this park and our shared experiences with him. She also reminisced about the multifarious sporting activities he inspired or undertook in the park over the years.
She shared with us a quote from Sri Chinmoy "This particular park, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, has given me many, many, many, many most significant experiences over the years. I have walked, jogged and run for many, many years. Happy experiences, happy, happier, happiest experiences I have received from this, our beloved park."
"You have blessingfully honoured me today by giving the name of the street in my honour. I am having a totally new experience. Honour you have bestowed upon me. For that I am extremely, extremely grateful to you. But I am having a new experience here. I feel in all sincerity that you have given me the supreme task of lovingly and prayerfully welcoming people who pass every day here. You have given me the opportunity to be a guard on your behalf to welcome them and offer them my and your—our—loving gratitude."
Our choir performed songs Sri Chinmoy composed for both the Sri Chinmoy Street and the Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden. They finished with the Peace Run song.
Peace Run Executive Director, Salil Wilson, introduced the Peace Run and reflected upon the peace loving spirit we all have deep within and how that common and collective experience provides a potential for our future oneness-world family.
Harita Davies, US Peace Run Coordinator, recently took part in a Peace Run in Colorado. The team had the honour of presenting our Torch-Bearer Award to three-time Olympian Cindy Stinger, who manages U.S. Olympians & Paralympians at the US Olympic Committee Headquarters in Colorado Springs.
This photo is shows Cindy receiving the Torch-Bearer award in the USOC Headquaters in Colorado Springs. Next to Cindy is our dear friend Cathy Oerter, President of the Al Oerter foundation, who partnered with us in organizing the Colorado Peace Run.
In accepting the award Cindy graciously said, "The two things Sri Chinmoy tried to instill in everyone was world peace, and he has done that by touching millions of people around the world, and the other is through highlighting the unlimited potential of the human spirit, and that's where Sri Chinmoy connects with all of us because these visions are the same as every Olympian and Paralympian who has ever strived to do their best.
Our special guests included NYC Parks Officials, a New York City Councilor as well as a number of Olympians.
Salil invited everyone to take a journey Sri Chinmoy took 9 years ago and embark on a prayerful walk along Sri Chinmoy Street.
Our guests shared the torch as they walked.
The kids from the Vic Hanson NYC Parks and Recreation Center soon took the torch and carried it proudly.
We were honoured to present our Torch-Bearer Award to our dear friend Jimmy Gennaro for his countless years of service to the community, New York City and New York State. Ashrita Furman presented the award.
Jimmy spoke about his life of service and the rewarding sense of satisfaction and fulfilment that comes with that. Jimmy also highlighted the inspiration Sri Chinmoy provided in encouraging him to continue serving New York City.
Jimmy, fittingly, presented a Torch-Bearer Award to New York City Council member Rory Lanceman.
Rory spoke eloquently about Sri Chinmoy and his mission and congratulated us on the contributions we make to the community through the restuarants and cafes in the neighborhood as well as the events we put on. He closed with words of sincere encouragement that we continue and expand these efforts.
Hazel Greene, three-time Olympian in Archery for Ireland and World Record-holder in the Deadlift & Champion Fencer shared her infectious enthusiasm.
Bruce Macdonald, three-time Olympian in Racewalking for USA, AAU Champion in 10k and 15k Racewalking and Coach of many world class racewalkers, spoke about his hopes to implement a new project to inspire young people to participate in sport.
Taraje Williams-Murray, two-time Olympian in Judo for the USA and currently aspiring for his third Olympics, shared some of the challenges he has faced in his journey to the Olympics and beyond and how the spirit we have within has helped him find life.
Nikos Spanakos, Olympian in Boxing for USA and winner of many Golden Glove Championships congratulated us on our efforts and encouraged us to continue.
Coach Jim Hurt, Head Track and Field Coach at St. John’s University for 26 Years and Coach of many Olympic athletes and collegiate championship teams, remembered his friendship with Sri Chinmoy who used to train at the St. John's track.
The medallists from the two mile race.
Jimmy Gennaro, Janice Melnick and Rory Lanceman enjoyed the lovely day.
Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Race Director Rupantar Larusso presents the men's first place medal to Udayachal.
Some more shots from the race.
