(Asian Independent)- Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA) celebrated Vesak Pournima-Buddha Jayanti, the 131st Birth Anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar, and the 196th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Jotirao Phule at Keezletown, Virginia near US capital of Washington D.C.
The event was attended by 150+ Ambedkarites from all across the USA and India. The three-day retreat at Camp Overlook from May 27th to May 30th included early morning meditation, Dhamma Discourse, Panel discussion, cultural events, Run for Equality, and outdoor sports activities.
AANA also announced three prestigious awards for 2022. ‘Dr. Ambedkar international award’ was awarded to noted Researcher, Author, and Editor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar & Mahatma Phule’s Books Prof. Hari Narke for his outstanding contribution to research, seminars, lectures, and publication on the life of Jotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Ambedkar.
Prof. Seematai Sakhare from India was awarded the ‘Savitribai Phule international award’ for her distinguished contribution to grassroots feminist activism and women’s studies and, ceaselessly working for giving justice to women since 1953.
Journalist Ms. Meena Kotwal of Mooknayak’s YouTube channel received the 2022 ‘MookNayak Excellency in Journalism’ Award for her incessant effort to highlight Dalits’ issues on social media.
‘Dr. Ambedkar International lifetime achievement award’ was conferred upon Bauddhacharya Shanti Swaroop Baudh for his contribution to spreading Buddhism and Ambedkar’s philosophy.
The award was accepted by the four dignitaries remotely from India and their acceptance speech was streamed during the event.
The function was presided by AANA president Smita D and hosted by Trupti Bankar, Sumedh Dandge and panel discussion hosted by Ashutosh Ukey
The Panel sessions for kids and teens in the age group of 12 to 18, on topics such as the importance of Buddha’s values in the modern era and how Babasaheb had influenced their lives positively, were applauded by the audience.
AANA’s President Smita D presented the organization’s activities, success stories, and the status of current and future projects. AANA has been organizing this annual event since 2008 to unite the Ambedkarite community under one roof in North America.
AANA celebrated 14th Annual retreat and the primary goal of this annual gathering was to bring together all our leaders, professionals, children, seniors as well as friends and families around North America to open dialogue, under one roof to discuss the issues facing our community and to develop possible strategies. All Ambedkarite presence to this kind of gathering helped us to make this event a great success and your enthusiasm and positive spirit helped make our time together both productive and fun. These gathering would not be possible without your donation, cultural participation, sports, team building activity, kids’ activity, lot of cooking, and cleaning and mingling with each other.
Ambedkar Association of North America (ANNA) is a registered 501(C) (3) non-profit, charitable, cultural and religious organization formed in the year 2008 with the objective of advancement of the under-represented communities in India. AANA members believe in Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of upliftment of the historically disadvantaged and oppressed sections of society. Our focus is to work for these underprivileged communities by following his guiding principles: EDUCATE, AGITATE, ORGANIZE. We also believe in spreading Buddha’s message of peace and kindness to humanity.
All donations are tax exempted under US 501(c) (3),
Employer ID# 26-2793893DLN. #: 17053278312040; Public Charity Status# 170(b) (A) (vi),
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