The United Nations & The Hip-Hop Nation Welcome Amma to New York
5 July, 2010
New York City
When Amma came to New York, it was in
the midst of the Fourth of July Independence Day holidays. The city was
alive with celebration, and millions of dollars in fireworks were being
set off over the Hudson River.
The next evening, Amma was officially welcomed to the city by a number
of figures from both the United Nations and the New York City
government.
Amir Dossal, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office for
Partnerships, was first to welcome Amma. Mr. Dossal is the United
Nation's representative for public/private partnerships, where he
guides the development of strategic alliances with corporations,
foundations and philanthropists in achieving the UN's Millennium
Development Goals. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Dossal said, "Amma, it
is such an honor and a privileged to be here. You are so special - not
just for people here and people around the world, but also you are
special for the United Nations. What you do to bring happiness to
people - you are truly a saint."
He also informed Amma that, on July 2nd, the U.N. had formed a new
agency dedicated to promoting the rights and needs of women and girls
around the world - The U.N. Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women (U.N. Women). Mr. Dossal then acknowledged Amma's
long history of struggling to help women empower themselves. "Finally,
it is happening," he said. "We hope we will be able to involve you a
lot more. What you do in making people understand that women actually
are a real asset and must play an equal role - and maybe even a greater
role - in society then they are allowed to play in business and the
international world. So, thank you, Amma, for what you do. We are very
grateful."
New York City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, the chairperson of the
City Council's Women's Issues Committee also welcomed Amma. She then
presented Amma with a proclamation from the City Council, thanking Amma
for coming to New York. Mrs. Ferreras said, "Amma's mission - offering a
loving touch to millions while building the social-economic
infrastructures to help the poor and suffering lead productive lives - is
an inspiration and a model to all of us seeking deeper engagement with
our community."
But the government was not the only entity to welcome Amma to the city.
The hip-hop community also paid its respects to Amma. Russell Simmons,
the co-founder of Def Jam Records and founder of the clothing company
Phat Farm, came for Amma's darshan on July 6th, and rapper and "Human
Beat Box" Doug E. Fresh performed in the wee hours of July 7th.
Speaking with Amrita TV after his darshan, Simmons said, "I've been a
great fan of Amma for many, many years. I am a practicing yogi. And
it's been my path - the yogic path. And every friend that I have that
is part of this movement, the consciousness movement, through yoga, in
America, has been to see Amma. So, I'm kind of the last one. Honestly.
I've been inspired by her for many years... Being around her, it's like
after the most beautiful yoga practice, after the most beautiful
meditation; it's during the most present moments. It is kind of a
blissful experience. Being around her is like that. You feel connected.
And from her, it just flows. She exudes this kind of consciousness
that, most of the day, we just hope for, and every so often a second
will come by and we will be awake. Being around her gives you that
feeling of being awake. So it was very beautiful."
The final night of Amma's programs also found journalist Suketu Mehta
coming for an embrace. Mehta, a resident of New York, is the author of
the best-selling book about Mumbai, Maximum City: Bombay Lost &
Found - a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. After his darshan,
speaking with Amrita TV, he said, "It's really a beautiful thing for
someone to just give out these hugs all around the world. I mean, who
knows, if Bin Laden and George Bush were hugged together, we might
break some walls... She has made me think about the ways in which the
head and heart can work together; they don't have to be so separate."
- Sakshi
|
Amma
International
Forum