File #: Res 1663-2008    Version: * Name: Honor the memory and celebrate the life of Sri Chinmoy.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 10/23/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution to honor the memory and celebrate the life of Sri Chinmoy, beloved spiritual leader and resident of Queens, New York.
Sponsors: Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Annabel Palma, James Sanders, Jr., David I. Weprin, Thomas White, Jr.
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/23/2008*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
10/23/2008*Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1663

 

Resolution to honor the memory and celebrate the life of Sri Chinmoy, beloved spiritual leader and resident of Queens, New York. 

 

By Council Members Comrie, Palma, Sanders Jr., Weprin and White Jr.

 

Whereas, Sri Chinmoy was born “Chinmoy Kumar Ghose” in 1931 in Shakpura, a small village in East Bengal, now known as Bangladesh; and

Whereas, After losing both parents before the age of 12, Sri Chinmoy spent the next twenty years in a spiritual community called Sri Aurobindo Ashram in South India; and

Whereas, According to the Sri Chinmoy Center, in 1964, Sri Chinmoy immigrated to the United States to “share, like Vivekananda and other Indian sages before him, the teachings of India and to serve the goal of world harmony,” and has lived in New York City ever since; and

Whereas, As of 2007, Sri Chinmoy and his students had established over 300 meditation centers worldwide, which according to Sri Chinmoy’s website, seek to “encourage and foster a brighter future for humanity through initiatives in sports, music, the teaching of meditation and humanitarian aid;” and

 Whereas, According to the Times of India, Sri Chinmoy founded the “World Harmony Run,” which is the world’s largest relay for peace and involves over 70 nations and tens of thousands of participants; and

Whereas, In 1988, Sri Chinmoy began a program called, “Lifting Up the World with a Oneness-Heart,” in which he lifted individuals who have “inspired and uplifted humanity;” and

Whereas, According to the Sri Chinmoy Center, over 7,000 individuals have participated in this program, including Heads of State, religious leaders of many faiths and world class athletes; and

Whereas, Further, in 1991, Sri Chinmoy founded “The Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles” program which is an international humanitarian aid organization that has sent medical, pharmaceutical and educational supplies to over 120 countries; and

Whereas, In addition, this program has expanded to include a “Kids-to-Kids” initiative in which donor schools in one country send educational and other essential supplies to schools in another country; and

Whereas, According to Sri Chinmoy’s biography, he has been honored with many national and international honorary awards, and, according to The Times of India, was a nominee for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize; and

Whereas, Sri Chinmoy passed away at his home in Jamaica, Queens on October 11, 2007; and

Whereas, Upon his death, many world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela, William Jefferson Clinton and Desmond Tutu, expressed their condolences and reflected upon the work Sri Chinmoy has done to foster world peace; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York honors the memory and celebrates the life of Sri Chinmoy, beloved spiritual leader and resident of Queens, New York. 

 

JC

LS#4161

01/07/08, 10:00am