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Highway named after Yogi Bhajan

A Correspondent | May 12, 2006 15:55 IST

The New Mexico State Transportation Commission replaced the NM State Highway 106 name with the new 'Yogi Bhajan Memorial Highway' sign on April 28.

Prior to that, the sign was unveiled at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Sikh Dharma International of Western Hemisphere at Espanola. NM Governor Bill Richardson and Espanola Mayor Joseph Maestas were among those who addressed the audience at the unveiling ceremony.

By renaming the highway, the commission, as well as the NM administration, has honored the late Yogi Bhajan, who was leader of the Sikh Dharma International. The highway, which runs almost a mile though the SDI headquarters ranch, lies between US 84/285 and State Road 76. NM Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught led the efforts for this memorial dedication, according to Sikh Dharma sources. Last year, the commission had unanimously approved a resolution in this regard.

Many other local and state officials as well as Sikh leaders attended the ceremony and remembered Yogi Bhajan's contributions to the state, nation and world. Among those present were New Mexico Department of Transportation Commission Chairman Johnny Cope, House of Representatives Speaker Ben Lujan, city council members, Santa Fe county commissioners and appellate court judges.

Yogi Bhajan, a master of Kundalini Yoga, passed away in late 2004. He became a master of Kundalini Yoga in northern India in his teens, and brought the teachings and the Sikh religion to America in 1969, soon after making New Mexico his home. Over a million people across the world practise the teachings and technology of Kundalini Yoga. He had been given the title of Siri Singh Sahib by the Sikh religion by virtue of his leadership of the Sikh Dharma International in the Western Hemisphere.

US Congress fetes Yogi Bhajan

In 1972, he founded the 3HO Foundation, an international educational foundation training teachers in yoga, and dedicated to improving physical well-being and deepening spiritual awareness. 3HO is recognized as a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Yogi Bhajan, known for his dedication to peace and religious unity, founded the International Peace Prayer Day in 1985 and this event draws thousands of participants to this area each summer. He was recognized as the Man of Peace by the World Parliament of Religions in 1999, and honored posthumously by a concurrent resolution of the US Congress in March of 2005, a release said.

Dr Inderjit Kaur, wife of Yogi Bhajan, is the 'Bhai Sahiba' of Sikh Dharma International, and Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur, the 'Siri Sikhdar Sahiba' of SDI.