New York, October 03, 2019To popularize Indian Classical Music & Dance amongst youth, the
Consulate General of India, New York had launched a new initiative titled
"Baithak@Consulate". Baithak is an occasional series that constantly strives to
present Indian maestros.

2. In commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
and continuing with Gandhi@150 celebrations, the eighth event in the series,
titled ‘Homage To The Mahatma’ was dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Held on
October 01, 2019, in the Consulate’s ballroom, the musical concert featured
acclaimed Sitar exponent, Pandit Shubhendra Rao. Pandit Rao was
accompanied by Ms. Saskia Rao-de-Haas on Indian Cello and Mr. Aditya
Kalyanpur on Tabla.

3. The event was attended by prominent members of the community,
including Mr. Eric Leroy Adams, Borough President of Brooklyn. In his keynote
address, Mr. Adams spoke about life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He
emphasized on how we all are connected to each other and how we affect oneanother and how by helping heal others, we end up healing ourselves too. Mr.
Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York, in consonance
with Mr. Adams also spoke about Gandhiji’s influence on leaders around the
world and in the U.S.

4. A protégé of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shubhendra Rao
and his team had the audience enthralled by beautiful medley of ragas.
Remebering Gandhiji and in a tribute to him, the trio played prominent songs
like Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye Je and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram
amongst others that reminded us of the ideals, deeds and teachings of the
father of the nation.

Baithak – ‘Homage to the Mahatma’