INDIAN GOVERNMENT GREETS CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
UNITED NATIONS — The Indian Government soulfully greeted the children of the world March 27 when its U.N. Ambassador presented a painting by the renowned Indian spiritual Master and artist Sri Chinmoy to the head of UNICEF’s “International Year of the Child” (IYC).
Ambassador Rikhi Jaipal presented the painting on behalf of the Indian Government to Assistant U.N. Secretary-General Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim, Special Representative for IYC, at a luncheon at the U.N. Church Centre.
“I consider it a great honour to be asked to present this beautiful painting, which seems to have a childlike quality about it and therefore seems a most appropriate gift,” Ambassador Jaipal told some 200 dignitaries as he handed over the work of art.
“There can be no higher religion than our common allegiance to humanity, which is inherent in the Charter of the United Nations and which is indeed the message implicit in the teachings of Sri Chinmoy,” Ambassador Jaipal declared.
Dr. Lim replied: “As this painting travels around inspiring people to the beauty and joy of childhood, it will bring about the greater consciousness that we in the Secretariat are completely committed to.”
The U.N. Meditation Group Choir then sang a song which Sri Chinmoy had composed for the IYC entitled, “This is my year.”
The painting, which depicts the artist’s vision of the world-child, was an expression of the Government of India’s oneness with the cause of the International Year of the Child.
The painting will be displayed around the world as part of UNICEF’s untiring efforts to promote the cause of IYC. The first exhibition, sponsored by the European-American Bank, will take place in New York.
Published in Anahata Nada, Volume 5, Number 3, March 1979
Names in the News
Galloping Guru
For Sri Chinmoy, 360 books, 130,000 paintings and 3,000 songs aren’t enough. Now the Indian spiritual master, who teaches most of his meditation at the United Nations, has been bitten by the running bug. Chinmoy wrapped up his second official 26-mile marathon of the year Sunday — the “Heartwatchers” run in Toledo, Ohio — crossing the finish line in 3 hours and 55 minutes. That shaves 35 minutes off the· 4 hours and 30 minutes he posted March 3 in Chico, Calif. Says the 47-year-old guru, “Running is an aid to spiritual life since it offers individuals an opportunity to go beyond their own physical limits.” Ommmmmmm!
Published in the Philadelphia Daily News, page 28, PeoplePaper People, Tuesday, March 27, 1979