{"id":2073,"date":"2013-03-20T19:15:16","date_gmt":"2013-03-20T23:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.srichinmoybio.co.uk\/news\/?p=2073"},"modified":"2013-03-20T19:49:49","modified_gmt":"2013-03-20T23:49:49","slug":"jewels-of-happiness-audiobook-launched-at-united-nations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.srichinmoybio.co.uk\/news\/?p=2073","title":{"rendered":"‘Jewels of Happiness’ Audiobook launched at United Nations"},"content":{"rendered":"

An audio book containing selected writings by Sri Chinmoy read out by 17 diplomatic, musical and athletic luminaries – including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and 9-time Olympian Carl Lewis – was launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.<\/p>\n

\"cover-v2\" The launch took place on the eve of the first UN International Day of Happiness, to celebrate that landmark event. The chapters of the celebrity audio book contains inspiring passages and poems deal that are divided into themes such as patience, gratitude and enthusiasm – qualities that can be cultivated to gain lasting happiness.<\/p>\n

Over 500 United Nations ambassadors, delegates, staff and members of NGOs were present at the launch. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153These sweet gems of wisdom by my dear friend Sri Chinmoy are timeless truths full of encouragement, love and goodness,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Nobel Peace Laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said in a video message. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sri Chinmoy was a pioneer in forging a grand alliance of hearts and minds for the culture of peace,\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 said Anwarul Chowdhury, Special Advisor and former Under-Secretry-General to the United Nations, in his introduction.<\/p>\n

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Ambassador Chowdhury makes the opening remarks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Renowned composer Philip Glass performed on the piano while Cathy Oerter, co-founder of Art of the Olympians and wife of legendary Olympian Al Oerter, and Ashrita Furman, holder of the most Guinness World Records, read from the book live.<\/p>\n

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Guinness record breaker Ashrita Furman reads from the chapter on ‘Enthusiasm’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cathy Oerter reads from the chapter on ‘Patience’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A special message from peace activist Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and former Member of Parliament in South Africa, was also read out.<\/p>\n

Among the 17 outstanding individuals who read a chapter of the new audio book:<\/p>\n