Our Bureau
New York, NY
On the occasion of the 154th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Consulate General of India in New York, in partnership with ReNew, organized a ceremony dedicating a bench to Mission LiFE, i.e. Lifestyle for Environment, at the iconic Central Park.
Mission LiFE was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio, Guterres in October 2022. First proposed by Prime Minister Modi at COP 26 in Glasgow, Mission LiFE is envisioned as an India-led global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment. It aims to bring people and communities together in the endeavor to adopt environment-friendly daily habits and practices. With an emphasis on reducing, recycling, and reusing, Mission LiFE aims to build a sustainable, cleaner, and greener planet.
The event witnessed the Indian Consul General Randhir Jaiswal speaking about India’s initiatives in the field of sustainability and climate action. He also emphasized the symbolism of dedicating the bench to mission LiFE on the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a strong proponent of harmony between man and nature.
Mrs. Vaishali Sinha, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Sustainability, ReNew, one of the largest renewable energy companies in India, spoke about the mission of ReNew to lead the sustainability movement by engaging the people of India and around the world.
New York City Commissioner for International Affairs, Mr. Edward Mermelstein graced the occasion and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Referring to the bench as a reminder of Gandhi ji’s enduring legacy urging us towards a world shaped by non-violence, compassion, and unity and renewing our commitment to a sustainable world.
The event also saw the presence and attendance of several consul generals and members of the diplomatic community. A large number of representatives from the industry, Indian diaspora, and media joined the event, and committed to mission LiFE and for creating a green planet.
Earlier in the day, the Consulate General, in partnership with Bharatiya Bhavan, organized an event to offer floral tributes to Gandhi ji’s Statue at Union Square in downtown Manhattan. They were joined by members of the Indian-American Community and friends of India in the celebrations.
