Happy 95th Birthday, Madiba!

Today is President Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday, and the Sri Chinmoy Centre would like to add its best wishes to the millions of birthday greetings from all around the world. Sri Chinmoy was a great admirer-friend of President Mandela, and the two had several warm and significant meetings.

Sri Chinmoy wrote a book called Nelson Mandela: The Pinnacle-Pillar of Mother Earth in his honour - below are some of the poems from the book:

“He tells poorer than the poorest human beings

In every possible way:

'Let us dream together.

The Golden Dawn

Will soon burst forth!'”

“President Mandela's very name

Builds a hope-cathedral

In the heart of despair-flooded humanity.”

Sri Chinmoy -

"I cannot express in words my joy! What you are doing is in the interest of the entire humanity and the world." - Nelson Mandela to Sri Chinmoy, meeting in South Africa, 1996

The above photo shows Sri Chinmoy and Nelson Mandela and his wife, Mama Graca holding the torch of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, which Sri Chinmoy founded in 1987. While holding the torch President Mandela said: "We are with you in upholding peace, which brings solace to many people throughout the world. It doesn't matter what language they speak. I think peace is one of the things that is going to save the world."

In a statement released on his birthday, President Mandela's health is reported to be steadily improving.