MORGANTOWN — What started out as a charitable endeavor promoting peace has grown into a celebration of community and culture.
The 12th Annual Gandhi Day Walkathon and India Festival, set for 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the WVU Shell Building, is a way for those at the Hindu Religious and Cultural Center to give back and share the South Asian country’s food and customs with area residents.
“Basically the purpose of the event is threefold,” said organizer Vinod Kulathumani. “We want to keep the memory of Mohandas Gandhi and his message of peace and unity alive. We want to connect with the local community and raise funds for a charity, which changes every year. And we’d added the aspect to showcase India’s culture and diversity.”
This year, proceeds will benefit WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital.
“Charity is a crucial aspect of the Hindu religion and a good connector,” Kulathumani said.
The walkathon, he added, is “not a marathon in the traditional sense.”
Rather, it’s a symbolic walk around the track at the Shell Building, where participants are welcome to carry banners and signs bearing messages related to Gandhi’s vision.
For the last five years, he said the addition of the India Festival has increased turnout size.
“It used to be we had 50 to 75 people, last year we had about 300.”
The gathering features live music and dance shows, food from different parts of India, henna, and arts and crafts for sale.
“There are about 100 to 150 families from India in Morgantown,” Kulathumani said.
Those participating will bring samples of cuisine based on the region they’re from. And, he said, kids are encouraged to dress in traditional garb.
“I think it’s been able to reach a lot more people,” Kulathumani said. “We want to reach out to as many people who are not Indians as we can so they can learn more about our culture and the important message of peace.”
- The 12th Annual Gandhi Day Walkathon and India Festival is set for 4-7 p.m. Sunday at the WVU Shell Building. Admission costs $5 in advance, $10 the day of the event. Children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. The funds raised will be donated to WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital. Info: hrccmorgantown.org/gandhi-day.html.
