Photographic Journey:
Below top left: Emilia Queiroga Barros and Lynnea Bylund Amazonian school Escola Bosque do Amapá “Escute os Sons Da Natureza” meaning “listen to the sounds of nature” arrival by boat. Bridging the digital divide 1998. | Top right: June 2024 Pre event Lynnea Bylund press interview.
Lower left: Lynnea Bylund and Emilia Queiroga Barros meet first time September 19-25, 1997 – dinner at Brasilia Governor Cristovam Buarque’s Estate. | Middle Photo: Full June Moon 2024 Belo Horizonte, Brazil | Lower right: Pre event press interview and photo’s with Lynnea and Emilia at the NIC HQ June 2024.
Below top left: Pre event photo: NIC team meditation, invocation in preparation for gatherings over the upcoming three day event. | Top middle photo: Sign you see upon entering the NIC HQ Reception area at street level. Top right: Photo opportunities upon blue carpet arrivals Opening Night June 21, 2024. NIC Leadership Warley Pontello, Emilia Q. Barros, Rogerio Q. Barros, and Carlos Henrique. Center photo Consul Geral A. H. da India Elson de Barros Gomes, Jr. and Lynnea Bylund. Lower left: Emilia greeting guests. Lower middle: NIC production team in action. | Lower right: Blue carpet arrival Warley Pontello Partner in Peace!
Below photo on the right: Elson de Barros Gomes, Jr. is the son of the main 1948 founder of the Friends of India Association and Mahatma Gandhi’s correspondent in Brazil. He is showing Emilia Queiroga Barros and Lynnea Bylund the original founding documents, letters and an original of Gandhi’s India based weekly journal, The Harijan.
The Friends of India Association emerged from the rescue of the Brazilian Friends of India Society, founded on December 2, 1948, by a group of friends who admired the country, including illustrious personalities such as Luiz Vieira Gomes (the main founder of the Friends of India Association and Gandhi’s correspondent in Brazil), Cecília Meirelles, Gilberto Freyre and Manuel Bandeira. The Brazilian Friends of India Society came together to become a civil society with the aim of promoting the intensification of cultural ties between India and Brazil through the creation and dissemination of knowledge about the two countries, providing cultural activities.
Below top photo: NIC Opening Night | Lower left: New NIC Office Headquarters
Event Opens with the Brazilian National Anthem sung by Elisa Queiroga
Below are images featuring João Signorelli the distinguished Brazilian actor with a career spanning over three decades. His extensive work in theater includes performances in renowned plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Diary of a Magician, The Arabian Nights, The Promise, Man of La Mancha, and Gandhi – The Inspiring Ethics. His powerful stage presence and versatility have made him a beloved figure in the Brazilian theater community.
He performed as Gandhi in 2012 in San Miguel Paulista, Brazil for us during Arun Gandhi’s time in the community. It was a surprise for us then and he again surprised us with his presence June 21, 2024 for the new NIC Headquarter Grand Opening Celebration. He entered the room and performed as Gandhi after Elisa sang the Brazilian National Anthem. João is featured in the Seeds of Light Planting Seeds of Love, Kindness, and Compassion publication by Lynnea Bylund and Foreword by Arun Gandhi. – Lynnea Bylund
In addition to his theatrical achievements, João has made significant contributions to Brazilian cinema. He has appeared in notable films such as Carandiru, Garrincha – Lone Star, Golden Mouth, Stelinha, and Go to Work, Vagabundo II – The Return. His performances in these films have showcased his ability to bring depth and authenticity to a wide range of characters.
João’s talent also extends to television, where he has starred in various soap operas and miniseries. His TV credits include Araguaia, Caminho das Índias, Amazônia, de Galvez a Chico Mendes, América, Grande Sertão: Veredas, and Bebê a Bordo, among others. Through these roles, João has become a familiar and respected face in Brazilian households.
João Signorelli’s impressive body of work across theater, film, and television highlights his dedication and passion for the performing arts. His contributions have not only entertained audiences but also enriched Brazilian culture.
Below Emilia Greets Guests and Introduces Speakers
Below Speakers Top left to right: Warley Pontello, ESQ. and Entrepreneur, Elson de Barros Gomes, Jr., and Lucas Mendes de Faria Rosa Soares State Secretary of Economic Development.
Lower left to right: Lynnea Bylund, Morel Fourman founder of UK based Gaiasoft, and
Nathalia Milagres Representative of Sebrae of Minas Gerais.
NIC partners with Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute dba Ahimsa Peace Institute establishing The Gandhi Room in Belo Horizonte, Brazil honoring the legacy of Arun M. Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s 5th Grandson and Mahatma Gandhi. Catalyst House and NIC partnered in 2012 bringing Arun Gandhi to Salvador for one week and Sao Paulo for a second week. The first time a Gandhi had visited Bahai, Salvador or Sao Paulo, Brazil. My comments were short, I quoted from Arun Gandhi and ended with now it is up to all of us.
“The thing that touches me most about my grandfather in the statement that he made just a month or so before his assassination when a journalist asked him what do you think will happen after your passing to your philosophy, and he made a very prophetic remark when he said, people will follow me in life, worship me in death, but might not make my cause their cause and that unfortunately is the tragedy not just for my grandfather but for all the great people, we elevate them to sainthoods, we worship them after they’re gone, but we will not make their cause our cause and their cause was to ensure that we bring peace in this world and we all live in harmony and oneness not just the majority of the people but all the people of the world.”
Arun Gandhi
5th Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi
June 7, 2015
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | Source
Below: Courtyard outside the entrance of The Gandhi Room, NIC HQ Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The Ribbon Cutting to the Unveiling of The Gandhi Room June 21, 2024 NIC HQ Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Photo opportunity after The Ribbon Cutting before we enter The Gandhi Room.
The Gandhi Room Unveiled Friday Evening June 21, 2024
Dedicated to Arun Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi’s Fifth Grandson and Mahatma Gandhi
Below Photo Opportunity upon first entrance into The Gandhi Room after The Ribbon Cutting.
Lower middle photo: Pre event preparations. Pre Gandhi Room Image Installation.
Film Poster printed for the two Brazilian screenings of
AHIMSA Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless by Ramesh Sharma
featuring Portuguese Subtitles
Arun Gandhi is featured in the award winning documentary film.
Below top right: Lynnea Bylund, Morel Fourman, and Alessandro Queiroga an author and music artist agent. Lynnea and Emilia Namaste.
Lower right: Warley Pontello and Emilia Queiroga Barros.
End Opening Night with announcements about tomorrow’s agenda June 22, 2024 which concludes with a special screening of AHIMSA Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless for those traveling Sunday and a reminder about Sunday’s screening of the award-winning documentary at the Abílio Barreto Historical Museum in Belo Horizonte both with Portuguese subtitles.
Networking and singing as the celebrations continued inclusive of live Brazilian music.