UN Women’s Lakshmi Puri the only woman recipient of the Honor
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Diwali Foundation USA’s Inaugural “Power of One “Awards were presented here on December 11, 2017. Belarus, Georgia and India joined with Diwali Foundation USA, to bestow “Power of One” Awards – essentially the “Oscars of Diplomacy” – upon six exceptional diplomats: Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Botnaru, Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb. Matthew Rycroft, Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev.
The event was co-sponsored by Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International Atomic Energy Agency-NY.
Amb. Rybakov who was Master of Ceremonies invited Georgia’s Amb. Kaha Imnadze, India’s Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, Diwali Foundation’s chair Ranju Batra, National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra along with Amb. Frantisek Ruzicka, Chef de Cabinet to President of the 72nd General Assembly, H.E. Miroslav Lajcak, to light the Diya.
He expressed gratitude to all nations who agreed to Co-Sponsor the Award Ceremony, and named each of them. He said,
“Having Diwali event held already second year in a row is hopefully becoming a regular tradition here in the United Nations. Being a symbol of charity, kindness and peace, Diwali is in lockstep with the goals and ideals of the United Nations.
After a very successful launch of the Diwali stamp in 2016, this is now transformed into the “the power of one” awards acknowledging the role a person can play in the International community.
We all hope that the “power of one” award will illuminate the way forward towards a more peaceful, safe and secure world in the United Nations and beyond.”
Others who spoke on the occasion included CDC to PGA, Amb. Frantisek Ruzicka, Georgia’s Amb. Imnadze, India’s Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, Algeria’s Amb. Boukadoum, and Kazakhstan’s Amb. Umarov.
Ambassador Akbaruddin said, “The message of Diwali has been repeatedly stated to be the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. It is also the reaffirmation of the foundational principles of the United Nations, which stand for universal good.
“Today’s event, the “power of one” is to celebrate the outstanding contributions of those who are champions of the United Nations Charter and promoters of universal good. Each of them embodies in diverse ways what we all aspire for here in the UN. I am indeed humbled and grateful to be in the presence of all these outstanding champions, and would like to congratulate them for all their work they have put in over the years – which has made us all join in paying tribute to them.
“As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The “the power of one” award gives us the opportunity to honor those who have successfully brought about change. Buddha said, “Be a light unto yourself; nobody can give this light to you.”
The inaugural “power of one” awardees are all living examples of that important message.”
Diwali Foundation USA Chair Ranju Batra thanked Amb. Valentin Rybakov “for a warm introduction”, and Ambassadors Ruzicka, Akbaruddin, Imnadze, Boukadoum, Umarov and Yelchenko for their “national and personal support and kindness”
She said, “As you know, I was determined to succeed in my goal to get the USPS to issue a Diwali Stamp, despite knowing many others had tried and given up. I spent nearly 7 years chasing it peacefully, and using only inclusive and respectful means. Along the way, I got a lot of help from a lot of people. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney accepted my invitation and provided national political leadership. I was happy that there were stamps for Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid, and Kwanza; but I also wanted one for Diwali. In October 2016, we won and got our Forever Diwali Stamp. I personally sold over 170,000 stamps to make the Diwali Stamp the USPS’ #1 Bestseller for Day One in its over 200-year existence. Among many who were of great support were Shiv Dass, now a Director of Diwali Foundation USA, Neeta Jain, Surinder Kathuria, Neeta Bhasin, Air India’s Vandana Sharma, Amb. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, and each of you who signed our petitions – which included many in the UN family – such as Palestine’s Ambassador’s daughter Reem Mansour. Aside from my Grassroot efforts, I also secured support from India’s Prime Minister Modi and America’s President Obama.
“Days after the Official Dedication, we attended a dinner hosted by Georgia’s Ambassador Imnadze, and I told my story. Next day, Belarus’ Ambassador Dapkiunas called Ravi to tell him that he had booked this historic Chamber to celebrate the Diwali Stamp and honor my journey at the UN.
“At that celebration last year, Minister Rybakov spoke of my determined efforts as “The Power of One,” and now-Minister Dapkiunas spoke of the Diwali Stamp’s journey being consistent with the highest ideals of the UN Charter, and that Diwali was Global. That event, like a seed, with added prompting, grew this year into the Diwali Foundation USA. In turn, that resulted in today’s inauguration of the “Power of One” Awards being bestowed upon globally exceptional people – who have toiled selflessly “to help form a more perfect,” peaceful and secure world for all of us.
“Today, we are privileged to celebrate and recognize the unique contributions of our Honorees:
Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Botnaru, Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb Matthew Rycroft, Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev.
“This slate of Honorees has set the bar quite high for all future honorees. Whatever the UN Charter dreams of, the Diwali Foundation’s “Power of One” Honorees have helped to make it a reality!
“Finally, I thank Belarus, Georgia and India for being Co-Organizers. I also thank every Co-Sponsor of today’s event, as well as the ambassadors, who by their presence, are supporting these Awards. The Co-Sponsors are: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International Atomic Energy Agency-NY.
“At the core of our purpose, is the concept of harmonious inclusion. Respect of all peoples and all cultures, serves as the only proven path to a peaceful and just society. Diwali Stamp proves it. May God bless each nation, so every person is blessed too. That will make Diwali, Global.”
National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra said, “All of you have just heard Ranju talk about how “Today” – was born. Last year, it was Andrei Dapkiunas the Bold – who saw Diwali as the embodiment of the highest ideals of the United Nations, and took it Global. It was Minister Valentin Rybakov who characterized Ranju’s peaceful 7yr Journey, respectful of all religions, use inclusive-based perseverance to get the Diwali Stamp: as the “Power of One.” That Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin of India, home of Diwali, allowed another nation to take the Lead speaks of his quiet confidence in humanity & diplomacy. That Ambassador Kaha Imnadze of Georgia – who played host to the birth of last year’s event, and now is a co-organizer is the very definition of both History made, and History corrected.
“I must acknowledge the Co-Sponsors, and the Speakers from their midst. The Sponsorship is a principled statement by these nations that Humanity & Religious mooring ought not be banned, but rather, cherished – if Good, Light, Knowledge & Hope – are to be given to our kids and grandkids so they can have a “more perfect” world. So, I thank each nation, each PR, and all Ambassadors present as well as Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum, Ambassador Kairat Umarov, now-Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, and Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko for their support and embrace. As a die-hard American, who claims intellectual ancestry to Thomas Jefferson, I especially thank Amb. Nikki Haley for America’s Co-Sponsorship.
Turning to our Honorees, I note the irony: that “It takes a village to raise a child,” but with the “Power of One” you can save the world: Be it Brahma, Jehovah, Jesus, or Allah. But, that of course, is the Divine Power of One, even as we celebrate great mortals today.
These Diwali Foundation USA’s “Power of One Awards” are essentially the “Oscars of Diplomacy” for helping “Good” beat Evil and Suffering. They are like Clint Eastwood – our Honorees – as “Harry Callahan” in “Dirty Harry” or as “Luther Whitney” in “Absolute Power” – or better yet, like the “Magnificent Seven” – with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and James Coburn.
Ultimately, the “Power of One” Awards – to paraphrase our exceptional Constitution – is “to help form a more perfect” world. Even Thomas Becket and the Barons in 1215 at Runnymede who got the Magna Carta could not imagine what occurred in Philadelphia in 1789; and we are most grateful to England because we stand on these wonderful shoulders. And thank you for the Common Law, as one of our Honorees will be gracing the International Court of Justice.
When all nations agree to cosponsor these awards, we may have arrived at a near-perfect world.
Ambassador Lakshmi Puri in her award acceptance speech said she was honored to receive the Power of One Award from the Diwali Foundation USA and would like to thank and congratulate the founder, inspiration and personification of this concept. Ranju Batra and her equal half Ravi Batra.
“As an Indian and a UN diplomat my vision has always been that of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam – the whole world is an interdependent family and our destinies are connected each to each and across all borders and spaces.
To me the significance of Diwali and the United Nations projects for humanity which I have been proud to serve for 43 years in different capacities are closely linked. I have envisioned my mission as one meant – to dispel the darkness of poverty, deprivation and despair everywhere
– To end the evil of violence and injustice especially against women and girls
– to light the lamp of prosperity and equity, sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and humanitarian action and resilience building for all,
– To secure an International Compact for the triumph of the global public Good of gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights
And yes, I do believe in the power of one, in each of us being a lamp to illuminate and transform the world through the power of ideas and knowledge, advocacy and movement building, setting of global standards and values to realize the ideals of the United Nations and the Perfect World we all dream of, want and deserve.
The power of one is about passion, commitment and indomitable courage and keeping faith with the causes we serve no matter the difficulties and setbacks. It’s about not giving up ever.
And though I leave the United Nations shortly to go back to India to be with my soulmate I am not done with the UN. Just as you can take an Indian out of India but can’t take India out of her, you can take me out of the UN but cannot take the UN out of me!
So, I will power on believing in the infinite possibility of all of us to achieve our infinite potential for good! Igniting that power of one, that godliness in each and every one of us is what the UN is about! “