On October 11, 2006, exactly one year before Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy's passing, there was a dedication to establish a Sri Chinmoy Street and a Sri Chinmoy Heart-Garden in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
20 years after that dedication and 19 years after Sri Chinmoy's passing we gathered once again to celebrate Sri Chinmoy's life and to recognize and honour those in our community who are dedicating their lives through service and self-giving.
Present for the wonderful ceremony on Oct 11 in 2006 with Sri Chinmoy were (l - r) New York City Councilman Jimmy Gennaro, Assistant Commissioner of Queens Parks Estelle Cooper and Administrator of Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Commissioner of Queens Parks Dorothy Lewandowski.
On that day Sri Chinmoy commented, "You have blessingfully honoured me today by giving the name of the street in my honour. For that I am extremely, extremely grateful to you. But I am having a new experience here. I feel in all sincerity that you have given me the supreme task of lovingly and prayerfully welcoming people who pass every day here. You have given me the opportunity to be a guard on your behalf to welcome them and offer them my and your—our—loving gratitude."
"Every day during my prayers I shall inwardly see and feel that a most beautiful flower is being offered at the feet of this Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This place, this beautiful place, has also a most beautiful and powerful, powerful soul. During my prayers, my morning prayers, I shall offer a beautiful flower at the feet of the soul that here presides over the park."
As is traditional we had a children's race.
Then we started the adults 2 mile race.
Flushing Meadows Park was looking very beautiful.
Heading out to the Unisphere.
The lead runner Vajin appears.
A delighted finisher, Hitomi, from Japan
Rupantar, Global Race Director, Sri Chinmoy Marathon team was on hand to present the finisher medals Vajin Armstrong of New Zealand was first.
The top three men.
Harita Davies, Co-Director of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run presented the finisher medals to the top three women. Agnikana from Czech Republic was first.
As part of the program we presented the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award to 9 eminent New York City region luminaries from many walks of life who are helping foster the ideals of peace and oneness to which Sri Chinmoy devoted his life
Peace Run Executive Director Salil Wilson served as MC for the event.
Ranjana Ghose, President of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, spoke of Sri Chinmoy's dedication to the ideal of a world family for humanity.
Our international choir performed an arrangement of Sri Chinmoy's Peace Run and World Harmony Run songs.
We even had the audience join in with actions.
Agraha Levine who convened today's program introduced Coach Jim Hurt, longtime Head Track & Field Coach, St. John’s University remembered fondly how Sri Chinmoy used to train on the St. Johns University track. “I still remember the very first time he came over to train at St. John’s. He was so disciplined in training every day. He was a great representative of what we all should strive for. One of his greatest impacts was to empower each of us to reach our full potential.”
Harita introduced the Torch-Bearer awared, mendtioning, "As we journey across the country and around the world, we come into contact with remarkable people who have inspired their communities, their cities and nations. Our founder, Sri Chinmoy, loved to appreciate and honour people from all walks of life for their tireless efforts for a better world. The Peace Run seeks to continue this tradition, by recognising these remarkable people through our Torch-Bearer Award."
This year we decided to especially honor and recognize individuals in the field of Education. Wherever we go when we run around the world with the Peace Run, we are greatly moved by the dedication and goodness of teachers. We like to take any opportunity to recognize and honor the significant role teachers play in our journey towards World Peace.
Our first recipient of the Torch Bearer Award today was Jerrica Nicolaou, a Biology and Chemistry teacher at Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens. Jerrica has lived in our local community in Jamaica, Queens for many years. Her whole family frequent the Panorama of my Silence-Heart Cafe, one of several restaurants and stores dedicated to sharing the philosophy of Peace Run Founder, Sri Chinmoy. Jerrica and her children are like family to us, so over the years she has repeatedly inspired us when she shares stories of how she consistently gives her whole heart of love and concern to the children she teaches. She makes herself available far beyond the classroom hours, constantly finding new ways to pinpoint the challenges students face and find innovative solutions to help them succeed. She has extra tutoring sessions on Saturdays and stays in touch with many students long after they leave her school. Jerrica is the perfect example of a Torch-Bearer. If we all embodied the dedication she has to teaching and serving the needs of the children she teaches, the world would be a perfect place! Thank you, Jerrica for your many years of loving service to humanity in and through each student! Jerrica’s daughter, Anna, gave a beautiful heart-felt introduction to her mother that had us all in tears! Jerrica's husband Costas also pictured.
Here's an interview Harita did with Jerrica when she was remote teaching due to COVID restrictions.
Jerrica’s former student, Dilan, shared what a loving and positive influence Jerrica has had on his life. A good teacher is someone we may remember for the rest of our lives, not because of their expertise, but most often because of their exceptional kindness and concern which touched our hearts and helped us along our life journey. One can only imagine how many former students there are who fondly remember Jerrica and the impact she had on their lives.
Next recipient was Dr. James John is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Queens College. He conducts the Queens College Choir and the Vocal Ensemble and Choral Society, plus runs the masters program in choral conducting. He also serves as Artistic Director of the Manhattan-based vocal ensemble, Cerddorion, an acclaimed chamber choir dedicated to adventurous programmes from many genres. Music lives in his very essence—something he conveys most successfully to all his students and audiences.
Bhitihara Fulton who serves on the Queens Community Board 8 introduced Imam Muhammad Shahidullah is a prominent New York-based imam, interfaith scholar, first responder, chaplain, author, and community organizer.
Muhammad is always looking for ways to bring the community together.
The Yenko Foundation was the brainchild of Max (center), who, during his many visits to his family home in Ghana, noticed that some children were not enrolled in school and lacked access to quality education. When he and his friends. Alexander and Myles, came to visit Ghana, they saw thart many children did not even have access to school. So they created the Yenko Foundation to help these children get access to and stay in school, thus gaining countless advantages in their lives.
Our Sri Chinmoy Choir performed two songs that Sri Chinmoy composed for the dedication which took place on October 11, 2006.
"Sri Chinmoy heart-garden Sings oneness-joy-songs, hearken!"
"Sri Chinmoy Street, Sri Chinmoy Street! Loves world-pilgrims’ hearts And admires their feet."
We were delighted to meet Matt Green, a person who has walked every street in New York City. Matt is someone who lives life to it fullest by listening to his inner self and making a concerted effort to seeing beauty and poignancy in all kinds of situations.
We were honored to be able to recognize and honor a dear friend Vivian Rodgers-Hill who served as an educator with New York City schools for a number of decades and changed the lives of thousands of students through her devoted and heart felt teaching.
Donna Brailsford is the Citywide Director for Child Abuse Prevention - Office is Safety and Youth Development at NYCPS. She has dedicated her live to serving youth and ensuring they have access to a nurturing and inspiring environment in which to grow up.
We were honored to have James “Jim” F. Gennaro is a Democratic member of the New York City Council representing the 24th District in Queens. Jim was also on hand with Sri Chinmoy when the Heart-Garden was dedicated 20 years ago.
A big group photo.
A short walk along Sri Chinmoy Street.
