Sri Chinmoy’s Paintings for World Harmony were on display in the General Assembly Building, in the prestigious exhibit space of the Delegates Entrance, from 15 to 26 October 2012.

(More on official opening on 15 October>)  See also:

  • more photos at gallery http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/gallery/usa/2012/offroute/1014
  • visit by Ambassador Chowdhury  to the Gallery on October 25th.

Exhibit Preview:

Sunday the 14th of October, the Exhibit was in the final stages of preparation for the official opening the following evening. Archbishop Desmund Tutu of South Africa was visiting NY and his schedule allowed him to come by for a preview of the exhibit and be with some friends from the UN community.

Archbishop Tutu shares some impromptu remarks about the exhibit,

The Archbishop had a long and warm relationship with the Artist Sri Chinmoy, as the quote below illustrates:

  • “We are each a pool of love, compassion and serenity. Let the ripples from this pool reach to the end of the world. This is what my dear friend Sri Chinmoy did, throughout his life, for all of God’s children. God is smiling to know the immense good he has accomplished while working tirelessly to unite us as children of one Father.”   – Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town Chair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Nobel Peace Laureate (1984) –  (From the Exhibit notes)

Ambassador Davidson Hepburn above (right) with Archbishop Tutu holding the award.

Ranjana Ghose  speaks about the exhibit and  introduces the Friend of Paintings of World Harmony award. A token of friendship, it is a painting by Sri Chinmoy titled “Unity.”, etched in glass. It uses Sri Chinmoy’s drawing of a “soul-bird”, which some came to see as his own personal signature in life.

Dr. Davidson Hepburn, presented the award. A main speaker at the exhibit opening on 15th October, Ambassador Hepburn was one of the first recipients of the Award in April in 2012 >More. He has served as President (2009 – 2011) of the General Conference of UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Permanent Representative of the Bahamas to the UN for a decade. He began attending programmes of the Peace Meditation Group at the UN in the 1970’s.

Some the Peace Meditation Group at the UN Choir who were present perform a song the Sri Chinmoy had composed in the Archbishop’s honour.

 

Words by Mentor of Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Music by Sri Chinmoy December 20, 1995D

During his remarks

 

He spoke of his friendship with Sri Chinmoy And the importance of continuing the work for peace.In many different arenas etc.

 

 Ms. Nilima Silver of the Peace Meditation Group at the UN shares with Archbishop Tutu a copy of the commemorative booklet prepared at the time of the Programme at the UN: “A Celebration of the Life of Sri Chinmoy 1931 – 2007”)

PDf Versin: CelebrationOfLife-ckg-2007-Oct-30-at-un

he Archbishop’s contribution was part of the publication.

 

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Mr. D. Torphy (left) , who was a main organizer of the “Moments Peace” programme during the recent Olymic’s in London shares a light moment with the Archbishop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBv5Wn0nAo&feature=player_embedded

Special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu for A MOMENT’S PEACE

Desmond Tutu had sent a personal video message (link above) that had been shown at the gathering in London and his Daughter (The Reverend Mpho A Tutu, ) spoke. (More)

The archbishop bid farewell to Dr. Hepburn and some of the others present and expressed his appreciation for all those supporting the exhibit and other activities for peace and harmony.

m_1014_38.-hepburn-tutu-others


Peace Meditation at the UN  founder Sri Chinmoy meeting Archbishop Tutu on an earlier occasion.

Sri Chinmoy presenting the Archbishop, Father Desmond Tutu, with the “Lifting up the World” award in 2004.