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International Youth Movement Turns To 20th Century Humanitarians for Inspiration
Kevin Kaul of the Indo American Assocation of Los Angeles tells a visual portrayal of Gandhi's life.
To mark the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) delegates from all over the world celebrated his life and the lives of other great 20th century humanitarians – Nelson Mandela, L. Ron Hubbard and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – at a packed gathering at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International Los Angeles.
Held in association with The Times of India and emceed by TV actress Marisol Nichols, the celebration featured stirring visual portrayals of each human rights icon. The event concluded a three-day Youth for Human Rights International Summit and Film Festival co-organized by the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology.
Kevin Kaul, President of the Indo American Association of Los Angeles and a native of India, gave a powerful presentation of the accomplishments of Mahatma Gandhi. "On a global scale, Gandhi demonstrated that a man could win allegiance, 'not merely by the cunning game of political fraud and trickery, but through the living example of a morally exalted way of life,'" said Mr. Kaul. “He was the catalyst for three of the major revolutions of the 20th century: the revolutions against colonialism, against racism and against violence.”
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Kevin Kaul of the Indo American Assocation of Los Angeles tells a visual portrayal of Gandhi's life
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Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress and through it launched his legendary pursuit of human rights through peaceful means. As he said, “You must be the change you see in the world.”
Mr. Kaul's portrayal made a strong impression. YHRI’s delegate for India, Kuldeep Singh, commented afterwards, "From the challenges I have faced as an Indian and a Sikh, and now a resident of New York, I am grateful to be part of a tradition started by the great Mahatma Gandhi. I have had the opportunity to meet new people from all around the world and to learn of their like experiences with human rights abuses and solutions. We are each returning to our communities determined to address the injustices that plague us."
Mmbatho Potwana, delegate from South Africa, presented the humanitarian accomplishments of Nelson Mandela. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mr. Mandela stated, "For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Ms. Potwana, who hopes one day to take her place in the South African Parliament, told the standing-room only audience, "While it is unique that Nelson Mandela became president at all, it is most notable that on 10 May 1994 he became the first democratically elected State President of South Africa. His election marked the end of apartheid and oppression for millions of South Africans."
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Heber Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International speaks about L. Ron Hubbard's humanitarian works
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Reverend Heber C. Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International, gave a compelling account of the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard set himself the goal to understand his fellow human beings and to enable them to understand themselves and so better their own lives. In all, he examined twenty-one races and cultures while searching for the underlying truths of human existence. And he took away from these encounters observations on the urgent and vital need to improve the lot of mankind, both as individuals and as societies and nations. He once remarked, “There are only two tests of a life well lived: Did one do as one intended? And were people glad one lived?” In testament to both questions stands the full body of his life’s work, for in addition to founding the only major new religion of the 20th century, Mr. Hubbard’s humanitarian accomplishments have served to vanquish illiteracy, drug addiction, and failing morality for millions.
Reverend Alfreddie Johnson, founder of the World Literacy Crusade and Men Who Care, eloquently portrayed the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From his forming the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 to winning the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, Dr. King followed in the tradition of peaceful reform championed by Gandhi. His legacy is forever immortalized in his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"
On the lighter side, excellent entertainment was provided by the Company Dancers, Broadway singer Miles Alden, recording artists Shannon Star Roberts and L. J. Jackson, award-winning composer/arranger/singer, Howard McCrary, the Sahala Dancers performed Indian dances in honor of Gandhi. The celebration concluded with a standing ovation to the YHRI delegates for their commitments to human rights.
International Youth Summit 2005
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