Federation of Indian Associations – Chicago [FIA] hosted a welcome reception to visiting social & Peace activist Padmashri S.P.Verma at Mysore Woodland Banquets & Restaurant on Devon Ave in Chicago on Saturday October 11, 2014. This close-knit reception was joined by a host of FIA leaders, members of the media and key principals & functionaries from Gandhi Global Family group including Madam Helen & Mr. Wade .
Iftekhar Shareef, welcomed visiting Padmashri S.P.Verma, the guests and the members of the media. Outlining the goal of the reception, Mr. Iftekhar Shareef said that we would like to gain insights and understanding of the peace initiatives launched by the Gandhi Global Family under the current leadership of Honorable Rajya Sabha member and apposition leader Janab Ghulam Nabi Azad. Iftekhar Shareef commended Padmashri S.P.Verma for his extraordinary contributions in fostering peace in that troubled region of Kashmir which continues to face unabated turbulence.
Highlight of the reception was Padmashri S.P.Verma who took the opportunity to honor The First Dual Citizenship of India Shri Iftekhar Shareef by conferring the Gandhi Global Family Seva Gold Medal which he said in his remarks was presented earlier to many an eminent international figures including President Bill Clinton. Along with a real gold medal, Iftekhar Shareef was honored with Gandhi cotton-woven garland and a tri-color khadwa [shawl] for his enduring inter-faith efforts in USA and India.
FIA President Keerthi Kumar Ravoori in his introductory remarks said Padmashri S.P.Verma is an outstanding crusader of peace who has tirelessly strived to usher peace in many regions of India particularly the troubled Kashmir region where the turmoil is rampant. Keerthi Kumar Ravoori noted that FIA is proud to welcome Padmashri Verma for his efforts in sowing seeds of peace in the increasingly violent and intolerant world that is slowly taking the center stage and added that the Gandhian ideals are ever so relevant, imperative and necessary.
Padmashri S.P.Verma thanked FIA leadership for hosting the reception and explained the mission of the Gandhi Global Family organization which is to promote international understanding and cooperation by strengthening people to people contact for world peace. Outlining the vision of Gandhi Global Family founded by Didi Nirmala Deshpande whose primary concern was to develop a channel of communication and understanding among the constructive organizations of youth, workers, and students in order to enable more harmonious relationships throughout the world.
Padmashri S.P Verma said Gandhi Global Family vision is to create a world order that is devoir of fear, filled with love to serve the humanity and to create harmony where man and the nature conflicts , to advance peace and brotherhood . Explaining the Gandhi Global Family, Padmashri Verma said the goals are to raise awareness of “social evils” in the society and encourage demilitarization of the conflicting zones across the country. He said that he is eagerly looking forward to establishing partnership with Chicago FIA leaders to advance Gandhian ideals
The reception was attended by NFIA President Sohan Joshi, Babu Patel, Bhailal Patel, Minhaj Akhtar, and Amir Ibadullah who co-ordinated the event .