The Community Center Auditorium, Hindu Temple, Flushing, NY
where "Swamiji" the laser show took place on October 5, 2013 and a packed house experienced the
unique
event (Photo by SEWA)
"What a remarkable show! Swami Vivekananda has selected you as his apostle to take
his messages
around the world through the technology of Laser", said Swami Paritushtananda
of
the
Vedanta Society
of
New York,
after watching
the show.
Vedanta Society of New York was
founded by
Swami Vivekananda
in November 1894,
which also was
the very first Ashrama founded by him.
"Swamiji" came, saw and won New York and Boston, the two historically famous cities that played a significant role in his life story, leaving an emotional and memorable experience of the show in the minds of the people who witnessed it.
October 5, 2013, Saturday, New York, NY:
The show at New York was of a special significance not only because this was going to be shown at the most well known and most populous city of the USA, but also because this is where Swami Vivekananda had founded the very first Vedanta Society in November of 1894. The unique laser show was displayed at the large, professional auditorium of the Community Center of the Hindu Temple at 143-09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. The packed audience included several dignitaries including Swami Paritushtananda and other monks from the Vedanta Society of New York.
The event started at 4:00 pm by the New York Chapter of SEWA International, where they displayed video projection of SEWA's goal, accomplishments, and gave a series of speeches before introducing Manick Sorcar and handing him the wireless microphone to take over.
The reactions from the audience was no different than the other cities where the show has been displayed earlier. The unique 1.5 hour show was attended by spellbound people of all demographics ranging from small children to senior citizens in pin-drop silence for the entire duration. A burst of applause greeted the Sorcars and their crew when they came to take a bow at the end of the show.
After the show was over, Swami Paritushtananda told Manick, "What a remarkable show! Swami Vivekananda has selected you as his apostle to take his messages around the world through the technology of Laser". A humbled Manick touched his feet for his blessings.
After the show of New York, Manick Sorcar Productions team of seven and their equipment were taken by a mini-coach for a four non-stop hour ride to Boston, Massachusetts. They reached the hotel at the odd hour of 3:00am in the morning of October 6, 2013 to get ready for the next show which was set to be held at the Collins Center, 100 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA 08180, starting at 4pm.
The special coach that took the Manick Sorcar Productions group to Boston
after the completion of their show at New York
October 6, 2013, Sunday, Boston, MA:
The show at Boston, too, was of great significance because of the historical values with the life story of Swami Vivekananda. When Swamiji found out he had arrived too early for the Parliament of World's Religions, he decided to move to Boston as he was told it was lesser expensive than in Chicago. At Boston he stayed as a guest of Mrs. Katherine Abott Sanborn, a kind lady whom he had met in the train from Vancouver, BC to Chicago, IL. Mrs. Sanborn introduced him to John Henry Wright, a Professor of Greek in Harvard University, which led to Swamiji's participation at the Parliament of World's Religions.
Collins Center at 100 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA 01810 where "Swamiji" show
took place on October 6, 2013
(Left) Manick Sorcar introducing the program at the Collins Center.
(Right)
SEWA volunteers felicitated the Sorcars on stage
(Photos by SEWA)
Following the same pattern of reactions as in previous venues, the unique 1.5 hour show in Boston was experienced in pin-drop silence by the spellbound audience for the entire duration. Many waited to personally greet the Sorcars with emotional and heart-felt comments about the show that moved them. A series of television stations and press interviewed Manick before and after the shows at each location, which included iTV, The Foundation TV in Boston, Ekal Vidyalaya and India Abroad newspaper.
