Charlotte Asian Heritage Association hosted
Gandhi Unity Fall Festival on October 10th 2015
Avonne A. Yang, Phin Xaypangna & Sunu Sebastian
Charlotte Asian Heritage Association (CAHA) celebrated the Gandhi Unity Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2015, and it was a resounding success! Under the leadership of CAHA President Ms. Phin Xaypangna and Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) President Mr. Nimish Bhatt, this event celebrated human rights and respect for all human beings. The event was held on the Old County Courthouse Lawn, 700 East Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, and featured performances, children’s activities, cultural showcases, vendors and exhibitors, and food concessions. Rain came and stayed all day, but so did many people! Approximately 350 people attended. The rain did not dampen people’s spirits. Special guests such as Ms. Jennifer Roberts and the key note speaker, the Honorable Judge Ty Hands, braved the rain to bring uplifting messages of unity and peace.
The rain could be seen as a metaphor for the life of Gandhi and for peace and unity:
Despite the rain, attendees were treated to the following performances: American National Anthem, Vaishnava Janato (a favorite song of Gandhi’s), A Dance On Heal the World, Indian Classical Dance Performance by Dr. Maha’s students, Chinese Dance Performance by Little Lotus Troupe, Chinese Dance Performance by Pacific Arts Troupe, Taekwondo Performance by Karate Kid , Latino Song by Anthony Vasquez, A Hmong Traditional Dance, Performance Representing All of West Africa, A Surya Namaskar Yoga, Indian Folk Dance On Spirit of Ghandhi, and Philippines Dance Performance. The inspirational quotes of Ghandhi were read out by the children. Special guests expressed messages of peace and unity. The Gandhi Garland Ceremony was performed by our special guest Ms. Jennifer Roberts, along with some of the seniors of the community. The following sponsors were recognized: Chun Group as title sponsor, PNC, Mecklenburg County Government, Integra Wellness Center, Super G Mart, Progressive Funding Solutions (PFS), PruTech, Universoul Circus, Arts & Science Council (ASC), AssemblyTechnologies, Inc., and Charlotte Dragon Boat Association.
Cultural showcases featured 14 cultures. There were 26 food and non-food vendors and exhibitors.
The rain could be seen as a metaphor for the life of Gandhi and for peace and unity:
- Peace is hard to achieve: It takes patience, willingness to forgive, and self-restraint and thoughtful reflection before acting instead of hastily casting a stone, firing a weapon, or hurling a hurtful word to one’s perceived enemy. It is much easier to achieve war and destruction: All it takes is acting immediately out of anger, unwillingness to forgive, and hastily casting a stone or using a weapon or hurtful words to hurt one’s perceived enemy.
- Gandhi was a man of kind, patient, nonviolent words and undoubtedly there were many times when it would have been easier for him to be angry and hurl violent words at the British Empire for its imperial domination of India. He chose nonviolent resistance, chose to forgive, chose to not cast a stone, and chose to not fire a weapon; with just these nonviolent means he was able to achieve peace and freedom for India. His path was not an easy one, because there was physical as well as emotional pain along the way, but he persisted and won freedom and independence for India without a war.
Despite the rain, attendees were treated to the following performances: American National Anthem, Vaishnava Janato (a favorite song of Gandhi’s), A Dance On Heal the World, Indian Classical Dance Performance by Dr. Maha’s students, Chinese Dance Performance by Little Lotus Troupe, Chinese Dance Performance by Pacific Arts Troupe, Taekwondo Performance by Karate Kid , Latino Song by Anthony Vasquez, A Hmong Traditional Dance, Performance Representing All of West Africa, A Surya Namaskar Yoga, Indian Folk Dance On Spirit of Ghandhi, and Philippines Dance Performance. The inspirational quotes of Ghandhi were read out by the children. Special guests expressed messages of peace and unity. The Gandhi Garland Ceremony was performed by our special guest Ms. Jennifer Roberts, along with some of the seniors of the community. The following sponsors were recognized: Chun Group as title sponsor, PNC, Mecklenburg County Government, Integra Wellness Center, Super G Mart, Progressive Funding Solutions (PFS), PruTech, Universoul Circus, Arts & Science Council (ASC), AssemblyTechnologies, Inc., and Charlotte Dragon Boat Association.
Cultural showcases featured 14 cultures. There were 26 food and non-food vendors and exhibitors.
Winners of the "I am Asian American" essay contest were announced at the Festival:
$25 was rewarded to the following each contestants: Tiana Lee, Joy Mays, Huan Tri Nguyen, Alana Moua, Kelleena Xiong, Ricky Chou Yang, April Malavanh Bourommavong, Zuag Paj Lucky Xiong, Thao Nguyen, Veronica Man Hau Lun, Amoli Kothari, Aneri Kothari, Jivin Barve, Evann Jian Wu, Kou J. Yang, and Yashushi Yang. |
Even though the candle light vigil had to be cancelled due to rain, the celebration concluded peacefully, joyfully with a benediction prayer by all united holding hands in a circle. A special thank you is extended to all volunteers, because of the extraordinary circumstance under which they worked (some volunteered from 12pm through 5 pm in the rain directing traffic and helping guide on foot those who got lost). In addition, there were volunteers who informally came out of the wood-works to pleasantly surprise us and help us, and we thank you as well. Finally, a special thank you is also extended to the planning committee including: Nimish Bhatt, Sunu Sebastian, Sana Louis, Florami Lee, Rance & Tue Mai Xiong, Binh Phu, Imran Farooqi, Jennifer Khounbolay, Kiran Patel, Mira Brisk, Avonne Yang, Anand Kothari, and Phin Xaypangna for making this event successful in the face of adversity! It was truly a day of peace, unity and inspiration!
The Charlotte Asian Heritage Association (CAHA) will host the Gandhi Unity Fall Festival on October 10th to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of unity and peace in humanity.
Facts
- Event takes place on October 10th, 3-7pm, at the Old County Court House Lawn, 700 East Trade Street.
- Admission is free and parking is free at the 4th Street Parking Deck (4th and McDowell Street).
- In 2008, the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (CAACC) partnered with Mecklenburg County to display the statue of Gandhi at the Mecklenburg County Old Courthouse Lawn. Since then, CAHA has celebrated Gandhi annually with a candlelight vigil.
- In 2014, CAHA expanded the ceremony with cultural performances, displays representing 13 Asian countries, food, meditation, interactive yoga, drumming circles and other activities to promote unity and world peace, drawing a crowd of around 400.
- This year, with a grant from the Arts and Science Council, CAHA expects to grow this event to 700-800 people.
- In addition to a keynote speech and candlelight vigil, the event this year will include food, exhibition booths, a cultural showcase, entertainment and games for kids. Winners from the “I Am Asian-American” writing contest will also be announced.
- Keynote speaker TBA. Last year’s speakers were Jennifer Roberts, Sam Wazan and Steve Rao.
- Hosted by the Charlotte Asian Heritage Association, Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Arts and Science Council.
“This event brings people of all walks of life to celebrate peace and unity of our community. Gandhi’s legacy is about how we can bring social change and equity by uniting as one human being.”
– Phin Xaypangna, President of the Charlotte Asian Heritage Association
– Phin Xaypangna, President of the Charlotte Asian Heritage Association
About the Charlotte Asian Heritage Association and Gandhi Park Charlotte
CAHA’s mission is to promote Asian heritage by planning, organizing and sponsoring traditional cultural events to enhance the visibility of Asian ethnic groups as an active and integral part of culturally vibrant community. The first project initiated by CAHA was Gandhi Park Charlotte. Located on the front lawn of the historic Old Mecklenburg County Courthouse at the corner of Trade and Alexander Streets in Uptown Charlotte, Gandhi Park Charlotte celebrates the life and teachings of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.