The book has been published by Gandhi 150 Ireland to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the 20th century master of civil disobedience, whose words and actions inspired such apostles of freedom as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr, as well as Civil Rights marchers in Northern Ireland and other parts of our troubled world. The very name Gandhi still resonates thrillingly with everyone who thirsts for peace, justice and equality.
Gabriel Rosenstock commented that the Gandhi 150 Ireland committee were “very honoured indeed to present the book to President Higgins, a man who unashamedly and courageously expresses Gandhian core values, namely unwavering belief in peace, compassionate concern for the poor and the marginalised, alarm at the havoc caused by runaway capitalism, and urgent concern for a world in which bio-diversity and linguistic diversity are more threatened than ever”.
Since its launch at a gala concert in Liberty Hall, Dublin, by retired Judge Bryan MacMahon, last October, Walk with Gandhi: Bóthar na Saoirse has garnered glowing reviews internationally. It has also been presented at events in India, including the Goa Arts & Literature Festival, the University of Mumbai, and Mani Bhavan, Mumbai, a museum dedicated to M.K. Gandhi. Further events are planned this year for various venues in Ireland to showcase the poetry and imagery of the book with musical accompaniment.
Members of the Gandhi 150 Ireland delegation who visited Áras an Uachtaráin were: Gabriel Rosenstock, Eithne Ní Chléirigh, Des Geraghty, Rosheen Callender, Séamas Sheils, Sadanand Magee, Riannach Mitha Semple and Pintu Lohar.
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Ghlac Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn, leis an leabhar haiku is tráchtaireachta Walk with Gandhi: Bóthar na Saoirse a shínigh an t-údar, Gabriel Rosenstock dó an tseachtain seo, leis na focail seo a leanas: 'D'Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn, a sheas riamh le prionsabail an Mahatma, ag cothú an chirt is an chothromais, ag baile agus i gcéin, lena intleacht ghéar agus lena chroí mór Gaelach.'
Ba é an coiste Gandhi 150 Ireland a d'fhoilsigh an leabhar i mí Dheireadh Fómhair seo caite, chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar bhreith Gandhi céad caoga bliain ó shin. Tá an leabhar maisithe go haoibhinn ag Masood Hussain, ealaíontóir as Caismír agus tá Walk with Gandhi molta chun na spéartha ag léirmheastóirí ag baile agus i gcéin.
Tá seó neamhghnách curtha le chéile ag an gcoiste - haiku dhátheangacha agus obair ealaíne ar scáileán. agus ceol beo ó cheoltóirí Indiacha:
tig le hionaid ealaíne, féilte, agus grúpaí aonair fiosrúcháin a dhéanamh faoin seó le Rosheen Callender ag an uimhir thuas.