I have a Dream…

Atlanta has been branded as a city that cherishes “Opportunity, Openness and Optimism”. On one cold January day (Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday), I decided to wear a T-shirt that I received from my professor (which said ATL "Opportunity, Openness and Optimism") and attend the memorial service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.

That day, my wife said that she was not happy with my erratic behaviors (like smiling at strangers, talking to children and asking if they were feeling any different etc.) so she asked me to stay home. Determined to make me stay, she took my car keys. I told her that I was just going to run to the King center and at that point she returned my car keys, took all my credit cards and all my money with the exception of $10. I drove my car to a church and walked to the Marta station. I walked the same path that I used to walk when I was a student.

That day, I was feeling joyful and a kind of true love that is very difficult to explain. The world seemed so beautiful. A MARTA bus passed with an Advertisement on it that read “Today could be the day” . I was ecstatic. For a moment, I forgot that it was just the advertisement for the Georgia Lottery. I was carrying three holy books with me: a bible given to my wife by her Sunday school teacher on the day that I was born, Mahatma Gandhi’s interpretation of Bhagvad Gita (Hindu faith) and Holy Quoran that I borrowed from a friend at Georgia State Univ. As I approached Avondale MARTA station, I saw some construction workers. I instantly got an idea to ask someone about the holy books that I was carrying. I asked a construction worker but he could not read or speak English. I showed him the three holy books and he picked up the Bible, opened a page and just said “Peter”. That was enough religion for that day. I briefly looked at the book and read the verse about Peter.

I decided to take MARTA that day, as my wife was not with me and it was the perfect opportunity for me to smile and sing Hindi songs. I felt very connected. When I arrived to King Memorial Station, I had another great idea. The idea was about “Made In USA”. I visualized that a great company could be built in the disadvantaged neighborhoods of Atlanta that would make T-shirts which would cherish “Love, Hope and Non-violence”. This together with the non-violence teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi along with real stories of real people with real experiences could differentiate this product, commanding a higher price in the global market. I also thought about the practice of begging, which has been outlawed by city legislatures. I wanted to differentiate the King Center from the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca Cola by bringing in the human touch. I envisioned putting selective beggars in a training class on selling, so that they can sell these T-shirts to the tourists to the King Center.

I imagined that millions of tourist will flock to King Center from every corner of the globe. I talked about this to a reporter from a European country. I kept on dreaming, thought that if leaders of the world believe in non-violence; the most major problems of the world can be solved. As I got closer to the King Center, there was tight security and ample people from the media. For a short moment, I remembered "Today could be the day" and believed I could get an opportunity to communicate with the world. Then I noticed the media giving too much attention to the VVIPs (Very, Very Important People) and had absolutely no creative juices flowing to cover something different. In my own way, I tried to influence a person holding a cross, asked him some questions, went inside a gift store and talked to the owner. I had a very interesting conversation with him and shared a bite of his beef burger. Being Hindu I usually don't take beef, but taking a bite with the spirit of universal brotherhood was like taking my Mahaprasad.(Divine food that is offered to my lord, Jagannath).

I went inside Ebenezer Baptist Church and for a short time saw the memorial service. Then I got up and wanted to feed the homeless, went out asked the police man where is the Turner Field Stadium. I had the great opportunity to walk to Turner Field Stadium. I stood in line to feed the hungry. Asked questions to people standing in line, asking them if they actually thought Atlanta was the city of opportunity, optimism and openness. I also met someone from Morehouse School of Medicine. I remember telling him that I would like to talk to the professor of psychiatry to see if he could disclose the names of students who have asked the questions like: What if the so called schizophrenia patient is hearing the sounds of faith, seeing the light of knowledge that we are not able to see or experience?

Had lot of fun actually making the plates to be served to the homeless. I casually mentioned that I was not allowed inside a church and my wife was not allowed inside a temple. And even said that today I will create a "new religion", the religion of "love". I even remember mentioning something which will make me a target of homeland security. I said that on the perspective of the terrorists, they are fighting a holy war just like we believe our soldiers are fighting for our Freedom. I had mentioned that speeches of most of our leaders are all talk. I asked if George Bush would let his own daughter go to Iraq to spread the message of goodwill. I mentioned that I am willing to go to Iraq to spread the message of goodwill and die for the cause of mankind. My only condition is that I find a company who will write my life insurance policy so that it will benefit my family and the causes that are dear to my heart.