October 2015, The Federation of Hindu Mandirs, Inc. (USA) presented the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award to selected well-known local Physician, Dr. Parmeshwar J. Mahabir. The presentation was made during the cultural program which took place at the Sri Tulsi Mandir, in Richmond Hill NY, following the 20th Annual Gandhi Peace March which was organized to celebrate the life andteachings of the Mahatma.

Dr. Mahabir was also selected to present the traditional Gandhi Lecture, and stunned his audience with the depth of his knowledge of the life and philosophy of the Mahatma. He declared that the teachings of Gandhi had &quotimpressed my young mind greatly, and, apart from my parents, the example of Gandhi’s life and philosophy made the most impact on me. I wanted to follow the teachings of the Mahatma forever.&quot! The Gandhi Peace Award took the form of a 12 inch marble bust of the Mahatma, and when Dr. Mahabir’s name was announced, it was time for him to be surprised. Visibly emotional, Dr Mahabir accepted the Award, which was presented by his Guru Dharmacharya Rishi Misir, and pledged to continue to serve the community in tribute to his role models, his parents and Mahatma Gandhi