GSDS Programmes

Peace prayer on the eve of International Women s Day

Guild of Services, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti joined together on the eve of the International Women’s Day in Gandhi Smriti on March 7, 2020 by organising an inter-faith peace prayer meet. Religious leaders from different faiths, singers and members from the civil society took part in the programme. Chairperson of Guild of Services, Dr. V. Mohini Giri was present on the occasion.
Songs of Kabir, Tulsidas, Guru Nanak rang in the atmosphere of Gandhi Smriti, the site of the Martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite songs Vaishnavajana Tau and Ram Dhun made the occasion more sombre.
Earlier, Dr. Mohini Giri along with members of the civil society joined together in appealing to the world for peace and non-violence. Expressing their deep concern for the climate of violence in the world many organisations called for peace and amity and ceasing hostilities. They said that “There is no way to peace, but peace”. Dr. Mohini Giri in her address appealed for peace and harmony amongst all beings.

Govt. Following Gandhian Thought for Inclusive Development: Shri Jitendra Singh March

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan hosted a one-day dialogue on “Mahatma Gandhi’s Experiment with Food – Key to Health” in Gandhi Darshan on March 2, 2020. The programme was organised by Kendriya Bhandar along with its strategic partner, Centre for Strategy and Leadership. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jitendra Singh was the chief guest on the occasion.
Delivering the key note address, Shri Jitendra Singh said that the government is following the Gandhian thought for inclusive development of the country, according to an official statement. He said, “Those who tend to dismiss Mahatma Gandhi's views regarding healthcare and food as mere fads or whims, actually do a great injustice to themselves because in doing so they only deprive themselves of a sound scientific opinion”. Shri Jitendra Singh also launched a special series of programmes to mark the 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth.
He further said, “Like in other spheres of life, Gandhiji not only experimented in depth, but also tested the influence of his experiments on his own self. This he did famously in case of his experiments with "Truth" and so also in case of health and lifestyle”.

Citing several instances, Dr Jitendra Singh said, for example, Mahatma Gandhi walked on foot, on an average, for nearly 18 Kms each day and believed that this was a fitness test for him. He continued to do so till the end.

Dr... Read More

Kolkata Two-day workshop on ‘Youth Nonviolent Social Leadership’

GSDS in association with Salt Lake Institute of Personality Development and Value Education (SIPDAVE), Kolkata organized a two-day’s workshop for youth on ‘Nonviolent Social Leadership’ on February 22-23, 2020. The workshop was organized in the Ramakrishna Mission Institute for Culture, Kolkata. About 300 youth from different districts of West Bengal took part in the workshop. The participating youth took a pledge to work using nonviolent strategies for the last person of the society.
Speakers at the workshop delved on different aspects of Mahatma Gandhi – the leader. His nonviolent leadership, his firm belief on truth is God and his idea on the cosmocentric view of human nature was discussed at length. There were discussions on how young people can reach out to the unreached using Gandhian strategies.
Prof Partho Chatterjee, senior Gandhian and writer and Director of SIPDAVE took a simulating session on Gandhian approach to leadership values and Dr Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS conducted a workshop on Leadership using Nonviolent Communication.

Strength behind Mahatma Gandhi’s Ahimsa was his Truth: H.H. Namra Muni

“Aaj sanskar ko pura vishwa namaskar kar raha hai Aur Mahatma Gandhi ne aapne jivan, aur charitra me sanskar ko aaapnaya hai. Tabhi,woh yug purush kahelate hai. (Today the whole world is saluting values and ethics, and Mahatma Gandhi has adopted those values and ethics in his life and character. Thus he became a Yug Purush)”, said Jain Muni Rashtrasant Rev. Gurudev H.H. Shri Namramuni Maharaj at the culmination of the pilgrimage Ahimsa Sadbhavna Yatra that began from Rajkot to Kolkata to Varanasi and then to Delhi covering a distance of approximately 2700+kilometres as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Rashtrasant Rev. Gurudev H.H. Shri Namramuni Maharaj was addressing a gathering of almost 200 people in Gandhi Smriti on February 26, 2020 after he offered his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Martyr’s Column in Gandhi Smriti, the place of Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyrdom. This dialogue on “Ahimsa and Sadbhavna” was organised in association with
He further said that the seeds of character building, values, morality, truth and ethics were germinated in Mahatma Gandhi at a very young age and Gandhiji had spread these values through his various experiments by upholding the dignity of human beings to the core.
While referring to the 19-day interaction between Mahatma Gandhi and the Jain Sadhvi Rev. Ujjwala Kumari Mahasati ji in 1945, when Gandhiji had spent 19 days in the Jain Muni’s Ashram, Rev. Namra Muni ji said, “The transforming role of saints... Read More

Non-violent Campaigns have become standard practices: Martin Arnold

As part of the ‘Peace and Non-Violence Lecture Series’ initiated by the Samiti, a lecture on the theme “Practicing Non-Violence in the 21st Century” was delivered by Dr. Martin Arnold, eminent German Scholar in Gandhi Darshan on February 25, 2020. Chairman Gandhi Peace Mission Kerala and Member of Gandhi 150 Committee of Government of India, Prof. N Radhakrishnan chaired the session that was attended by almost 65 people.
Addressing academicians and students from different colleges, Dr. Arnold said that for people across the world, new models have developed on peaceful methodologies and people both from academics and politics are beginning to realise that Mahatma Gandhi’s methods had positive approach and therefore could garner so much support from people across different segments.
He further said the ‘satyagraha’ is not only about protests. “It is a ‘people’s university’ of coordinating and organising movements and campaigns. Nonviolent campaigns have become standard practices today. I regard ‘Nonviolent Peace Force’ as one of the most fundamental development of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of ‘Satyagraha’. The mission of nonviolent peace force is to protect civilians in situations of conflict by means of satyagraha. The role of this peace force is to work alongside local communities; to work with the goal to spread the model of deployment as a means of defending the life and dignity of people in regions of conflict”.
“We should look at Gandhi on how he... Read More

76th Nirvan Divas of Kasturba Gandhi observed

‘Ba’, Kasturba Gandhi’s 76th Nirvan Divas (death anniversary) was observed in Gandhi Darshan on February 22, 2020 by organising the ‘Kasturba Katha’ by Katha Vyas Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna. Participants attending the three-day national conference “Report to Gandhi” took part in the ‘Kasturba Katha’ along with many others from the Gandhian fraternity. Joint Secretary Ministry of Culture and Member Secretary GSDS, Shri S C Barmma was the guest of honour. Shri Basant, Shri Kalanand Muni, Shri Aditya Patnaik Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan and others also took part in the programme.
‘Kasturba Katha’ by Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna covered the narrations of the various phases of Kastur's life starting from her years in India; Kasturba with her two sons in Durban in South Africa; her sojourn to India with four sons and back to Durban; life in Phoenix Settlement and the first Satyagraha; Sevagram Ashram life, Kasturba's role in three national Satyagraha and other smaller Satyagraha; her incarceration in Agha Khan Palace and her last day in Bapu's lap on 22nd February 1944.
The Katha Vyas had also pointed how Kasturba had seen Mohandas in every shade. A boy hell-bent on establishing superiority on account of being older; a child scared of school; a serious but uninspired student; a son hurt by the absence of his father; a father deranged by the untimely death of his son; an infatuated husband; an unemployed English speaking young man grappling with a traditional family's needs... Read More

‘Report to Gandhi’ – A three-day National Conference

About 125 participants that included Sardovaya workers, Gandhian constructive workers, academicians from different states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Odisha, Haryana, Kerala took part in a national conference on “Report to Gandhi” in Gandhi Darshan from February 21-23, 2020 to discuss issues and challenges of the contemporary world, the work done so far by those organisations as part of Gandhi 150 and the road ahead. The national conference was organised by GSDS in association with Radhakrishna Collective. Shri Kumar Kalanand Muni, Shri Basant, Padmashri Shri Kamal Singh Chauhan, Shri Aditya Patnaik, Prof. Manoj Kumar, Shri Chandan Pal, Shri Sita Ram Gupta along with Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan took part in the deliberations. Smt. Kamala Radhakrishna, wife of Dr. Radhakrishna was also present at the inauguration of the programme.
The main idea of different sessions during the three-day conference was to present a report by all the theorists of Mahatma Gandhi of their ongoing projects and their responses towards the celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Besides, the global responses of special programmes by Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna were also discussed towards promoting Gandhi Katha all over the world including India. It was thus one of the major components of the seminar to discuss how international thinkers acknowledge the ideas of peace, non-violence, and self-reliance.
The participants not only showcased... Read More

Gandhi-Karigar Haat inaugurated in Gandhi Darshan

At a special function, former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Dr. Karan Singh, inaugurated the “Gandhi-Karigar Haat” in Gandhi Darshan on February 20, 2020 in the presence of over 200 people from different walks of life. Jain Muni Rev. Rashtrasant Gurudev Sri Namra Muni, Shri Laxmi Dass, EC Member of GSDS and Vice President Harijan Sevak Sangh, eminent Gandhian Shri Basant Singh, Shri Sita Ram Gupta, CEO Lupin Human Welfare Organisation, Bharatpur along with Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan were present on the occasion.
Dr. Karan Singh not only inaugurated the “Gandhi-Karigar Haat” on the occasion, he also laid the foundation stone of the “Multi-purpose Community Centre” which will be developed in Gandhi Darshan. The inaugurated ‘Gandhi-Karigar Haat” and the “Multi-purpose Community Centre” have come to fruition from the grant of Rupees Two Crore received from Dr. Karan Singh from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (Member MPLADS).
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Karan Singh said that this is the single largest grant from his MPLAD funds that he has given to Gandhi Darshan, since he felt that the money will be used fruitfully at the Gandhi Darshan for the purpose of conducting cultural, academic and various other activities related to skill development and promotion of indigenous products.
He further said that he had seen Mahatma Gandhi and that one moment meeting with Gandhiji had changed his life. He said that though there... Read More

“Gandhi Ko Samajhne ka Sahi Samay” book launched

“Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a staunch Hindu and he never shied away from showing his credentials”, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Hon’ble Shri Mohan Bhagwat said, adding, “Gandhi even described himself as ‘an orthodox sanatani Hindu”.
“He travelled to understand India and became one with aspirations and sufferings of India and that is why he was never ashamed of being a Hindu. He said I am a staunch ‘sanatani’ Hindu. He also taught to respect other religions.” Shri Mohan Bhagwat was speaking at the launch of a book “This is the time to understand Gandhi” (Gandhi Ko Samajhne ka Sahi Samay) by former NCERT director Prof. JS Rajput in Gandhi Smriti on February 17, 2020. Almost 525 people took part in the programme.
The RSS chief said that India which Gandhi dreamt of is yet to be formed but he has full faith in the present generation that they will realise this even if it is 20 years from now. “Young generation instils confidence in him that if not today, in the next 20 years, there would come a time when on October 2, we could tell him that he can work with peace in India,” said Shri Bhagwat.
Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of opting for honesty and atoning for his mistakes when his experiments failed, Shri Bhagwat said those who are responsible for fostering movements in the current scenario that turned violent are neither held responsible nor do they make amends. “Sometimes Gandhiji’s movement went wrong, but... Read More

Cultural exchange programme with the Embassy of Uzbekistan organised

The Samiti in association with the Embassy of Uzbekistan organised an interactive session on “In the Path of Mahatma – India-Uzbekistan Towards Peace and Non-Violence” in Gandhi Smriti on February 14, 2020. HE, Mr. Azamjon I Mansurov, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan was the guest of honour on the occasion. In his address to participating students from Andhra Education Sr. Sec. School, ITO and other members, Mr. Azamjon spoke about the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Relations between Uzbekistan and India have their roots deep in history. There are frequent references to Kamboja, which is stated to include parts of present day Uzbekistan, in Sanskrit and Pali literature. Sakas participated in Mahabharata on the side of Kauravas. Ancient trade route ‘uttarpath’ passed through Uzbekistan. In later years, Fergana, Samarkand, Bukhara in Uzbekistan emerged as major towns on the trade routes linking India with Europe and China.” He further added, “India had close interaction with the Uzbek SSR during the Soviet times. Indian leaders often visited Tashkent and other places”.
He also added that three Uzbek educational institutions, nationwide, promote studies of Hindi language, from primary to post-graduate level and said that Uzbek TV channels regularly show Indian films and serials.
He also mentioned about the artistes from Uzbekistan who paid a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Smriti... Read More

In the Path of Mahatma – India Armenia towards Peace and Non-Violence

As part of the initiative of the GSDS towards reaching out to different embassies in India to take the message of Mahatma Gandhi in the international realm, the Samiti in association with the Embassy of Armenia in India organized a cultural-exchange programme in Gandhi Smriti on February 10, 2020. The programme was organized as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. H.E. Mr. Armen Martirosyan, the Ambassador of Armenia to India was the chief guest on the occasion. Students from Ashray Adhikar Abhyaan and Summer Fields School, Gurugram took part in the programme.
He introduced to us the key events going on (e.g. Jai Jagat), associated with Mahatma Gandhi to promote peace and how the people around the globe are being part of it. He also told about the Armenian Velvet Revolution of 2018 which is another example of a peaceful protest. He urged the audience to continue their faith in idealism.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Martirosyan said, “It’s rightly said that Gandhi belongs not just to India but to the entire world, and therefore, his thoughts still have a special resonance in all the corners. A leader, statesman, politician, writer, journalist, barrister, philosopher and social activist, he wore several hats in his lifetime and touched upon the lives of billions around the world. Indeed, I would say that there is hardly any country in the world where Gandhiji’s passion for non–violence and his genuine humanism have not inspired people,... Read More

Visitors

• His Excellency Mr. Ernest Rwamucyo, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda in India visited Gandhi Smriti on January 7, 2020.
• Hon’ble Mr. Tomas Petricek Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic visited Gandhi Smriti on January 14, 2020 and offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Martyrs Column.
• Hon’ble Han Seung Soo, former Prime Minister of the Republic of South Korea visited Gandhi Smriti on January 16, 2020 and offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

Wardha Maharashtra Seminar on Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Languages

The Samiti in association with the Department of Gandhian Studies and Peace Research of Mahatma Gandhi Antarashtriya Vishwa Vidyalaya (MGAVV) Wardha Maharashtra organized a two-day seminar on “Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Languages” on January 23-24, 2020 in the MGAVV campus. Prof. Kusumlata Kedia, Vice Chancellor of the MGAVV inaugurated the seminar as the chief guest. Dr. Nriprendra Prasad Modi, Convenor of the seminar welcomed the gathering and also highlighted about the importance of the seminar in the present context.
Professor Kedia said that in order to know the reasons behind the language problem in India, we need to know the 19th century Europe. In 19th century Europe there was the spread of nationalism with which the phase of disunion started. “There has never been a language problem in India, but of late it has started.” He said that once upon a time when Sanskrit was the language of the whole of Central Asia, which can be called as unified India in a unified manner, hence the languages derived from Sanskrit bind India.
Contributors to the seminar analysed social movements and philosophical discourses, raising fundamental questions about the nature and process of the unfolding process of Gandhi’s concept of language as a medium of communication in reaching out to thousands in the remotest corner of the country and seeking their participation in the freedom struggle. The speakers also analysed the power and depth of communication that Gandhi used to... Read More

Raipur Chattisgarh Workshop on Enhancing the capacities of the Women in Panchayati Raj Systems

Almost 335 women from Raipur District from five Gram Panchayats took part in a day-long workshop on “Enhancing the Capacities of the Women in Panchayati Raj Systems” in Raipur Chattisgarh on January 20, 2020 organised by the Naveen Ankur Mahila Mandal in association with the GSDS. The chief guest on the occasion was Shri Sanjay Srivastava. The other guests included MS. Savita Parate, Sarpanch Dhamat Gaikwad from Mandir Hasood, Advocate Mrs. Tuli Majo Madar and CO Nagar Nigam Raipur, Ms. Usha Rai. Smt Meena Gautam of Naveen Ankur Mahila Mandal was also present on the occasion.
The discussion focused on these key factors:
1. Education for girls
2. Build capacities of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) for effective functioning and setting of women’s agenda.
3. Institutionalize mechanisms to strengthen capacity building of EWRs to better understand and perform their functions.
4. Mobilize community and strengthen processes of constituency building to enable women to articulate their voices and participate in the electoral process.
5. Mobilizing people to participate in gram sabha meetings
6. Strengthening women’s collectives and building networks
The speakers felt that experience sharing of EWRs needs to be actively encouraged, wider publicity to success stories and greater exposure for women’s groups though visits and sammelans is required. Documentation and record keeping are additional areas that require attention. Another... Read More

Exhibition of charcoal sketches on M K Gandhi by artist Sanjiv Anand inaugurated

Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, former VC GSDS and present Chairperson of National Gandhi Museum inaugurated a fourteen-panel exhibition of free-hand charcoal sketches on prominent historical incidents from Mahatma Gandhi’s life in Kirti Mandap, Gandhi Smriti on January 30, 2020. The sketches have been drawn by Shri Sanvij Anand, an Indian, living in Florida presently. Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Programme Officer, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Dr Manju Aggarwal and a host of other dignitaries along with the artist Shri Sanjiv Anand were present at the inauguration.

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj leads Bhakti Sangeet on Martyrdom Day

91-year-old Pandit Jasraj’s mellifluous rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajans reverberated in Gandhi Smriti as the nonagenarian paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the Father of the Nation’s 72nd death anniversary on January 30, 2020. Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu and hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hummed Gandhiji’s favourite bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram as over 2000 people from different streams of society joined the evening prayer meet. Former Vice President, Dr. Mohd Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Minister of Culture and VC GSDS Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, former VC GSDS Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, officials from the Ministry of Culture also joined the commemorative programme.
Almost 500 Children from 23 schools of Delhi, NCR, which included children from eight schools recommended by the District Administration of Madhepura, Bihar; Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan Hyderabad Telengana and Kasturba Mahila Vidyapeeth Sewapuri Varanasi offered a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi that was coordinated by Shri Sudhanshu Bahuguna of Swar Trishna. Young Krishna Prasanna assisted Sudhanshu ji in the flute.
Children from Bapa Ashram Residential Primary School, Harijan Sevak Sangh and Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya Ishwar Nagar along with their coordinators spun on the charkha throughout the programme, as religious leaders from different faith read hymns from the... Read More

Dialogue with ‘Holographic’ Gandhi on “Future of Education”

As part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and in celebration to mark the ‘United Nations International Day of Education’ almost 400 participants including teachers, educators, students, academicians and policymakers took part in a discussion on “Future of Education” in Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi on January 27, 2020 organised by UNESCO MGIEP in association with GSDS. Through the ‘Holographic Gandhi’ the discussion commenced with an interactive session with the young enthusiastic participants. Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr. Karan Singh, eminent author and poet and former member of the Rajya Sabha; Ms. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, former Minister of Education, France;, Mr. Jagmohan Singh Rajput, India’s Representative to UNESCO Governing Board Chair UNESCO MGIEP and SD; Shri Anantha Duraiappah, Director UNESCO MGIEP along with Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS took part in the discussion. Shri Anantha Duraiappah, Director UNESCO MGIEP moderated the discussion.
The panel discussion commenced with a standing hologram of Gandhi, who spoke for 7 minutes about the ideologies of Gandhi. The talk, developed by the technical team of Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum, was based on excerpts from Gandhi’s writings on Education, Satyagraha (the truth), Ahinsa (non-violence), Kindness and Critical Inquiry. While most people may only know Gandhi for his political views and writings,... Read More

Lecture by Austrian Historian Dr. Margit Franz

As part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi GSDS in association with the Austrian High Commission in India organized a lecture by well-known historian Dr. Margit Franz on January 27, 2020. This was in continuation of the programmes the Samiti initiated with different Embassies and High Commissions to propagate the relevance of the Gandhian Philosophies of Peace and Non-violence in the international realm. H.E. Mrs. Brigitte Oeppinger-Walchshofer, the High Commissioner of the Austrian Embassy to India was present on the occasion. Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, former VC GSDS was the guest of honour. The Ambassador of Ireland and various delegates from Israel, the United Kingdom, Austria, and MEA (India) also took part in the programme.
The lecture, organized on the eve of ‘International Holocaust Remembrance Day’ was delivered by Dr. Margit Franz on “Gandhi’s India: A safe haven for Exiled Jews”.
The presentation by the historian was based on the age of the Second World War, when the Jews were persecuted within their nation and Gandhi’s India welcomed them with arms wide open, despite the fact that India then under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi had launched the “Quit India Movement”.
Dr. Franz focused on the theory of equality in religion taught by Mahatma which attracted the exiled Jews to settle in the sub-continent. She said, “In the middle of their struggle for independence, India managed to accommodate the highly skilled refugees in... Read More

Ten-day Value Creation Camp organised

Almost 46 children with teachers and coordinators from Kasturba Mahila Vidyapeeth Sewapuri, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; eight schools recommended by the District Administration of Madhepura Bihar; and Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Hyderbad Telengana took part in the ten-day Value Creation Camp organized by GSDS from January 23 to February 2, 2020 in Gandhi Darshan. The camp was inaugurated on January 23, on the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 123rd birth anniversary by Mrs. Paramjeet Kaur, senior Advocate Supreme Court of India and Founder Director Ashray Adhikar Abhyaan and Superintendent of Mandoli Prison Ms. Neeta Negi. Artist Mr. Sanjeev Anand also spoke on the occasion.
Children during the ten-day camp took part in the musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 in Gandhi Smriti. Besides regular sharamdaan, yoga and charkha classes, classes on non-violent communication techniques, classes on personality development through gratitude, compassion, kindness, etc., emotional intelligence were also conducted for the participating children.
Children also visited different historical sites including the Metro Museum. They also offered tribute to Gandhi in Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat as part of his 72nd death anniversary. To learn about the ‘digital Gandhi’, the children accompanied by the Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also visited the museum of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Further a visit to the ‘Bharat Parv’ organised by... Read More

Rehearsals for 72nd Martyrdom Day

Almost 450+ children took part in the musical rehearsals organised by the Samiti as a tribute to the 72nd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Darshan and Gandhi Smriti on January 17, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28 and 29, 2020 respectively. Children from over 20 schools of Delhi and NCR took part in the rehearsals conducted by Shri Sudhanshu Bahuguna. Later from January 22 children participating in the ten-day Value Creation Camp (January 23-February 2, 2020) from Madhepura, Bihar, Hyderabad Telengana and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh joined. Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also addressed the students during the rehearsals on January 29 in Gandhi Smriti and extended his wishes for their performance on January 30. Talking to the children he shared his belief that the children will perform to the best of their abilities under the guidance of Shri Bahuguna. Earlier a meeting with the representatives of various schools was conducted on January 15, 2020 in Gandhi Darshan in which Programme Executive Shri Rajdeep Pathak briefed the teachers about the modalities of the programme and the manner in which children has to be oriented.

Quiz competition on ‘Know Your Constitution’ organized

As part of the 70 years of the Constitution of India, the Samiti, in collaboration with Doordarshan organized a quiz titled “Know Your Constitution” on January 10, 2020 in the studios of Doordarshan.
The first prize went to Shri Rishabh Gupta and Ms. Soumya Singhal from Maharaja Agrasen Public School, Ashok Vihar. The second prize went to Shri Arsh Mishra and Shri Suyash Chitre, class XI students from Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar. The third prize winners were Shri Rahul Pandey and Shri Pradyuman Arora of class X from Modern School, Barakhambha Road. Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan gave away the prizes to the winners.

In the Path of Mahatma Gandhi – India-Rawanda towards Peace and Non-Violence

In continuation of the series of programmes initiated with different Embassies and High Commissions to propagate the relevance of the Gandhian Philosophies of Peace and Non-violence in the international realm the GSDS in association with the High Commission of Rwanda in India organised a interactive session on January 7, 2020. His Excellency Mr. Ernest Rwamucyo, High Commissioner of Rwanda in India delivered the lecture on the history of Rwanda and how the country evolved itself as a peaceful state after the Rwandan genocide of 1994 on the principles of reconciliation and dialogue.
Addressing a gathering of 125+ participants including students from Raman Munjal Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Haryana and Manthan School Ghaziabad, Father Agnel School, academicians and representatives from other Embassies and High Commissions in India, Mr. Ernest began by mentioning the influence he had had since his early days from Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He said, “I grew up a Gandhian, long before I came to India. Mahatma Gandhi Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela had huge effect on me. They taught me the way of non-violence for attaining global peace”. He added, “Their ideas should be taken to the younger generation”.
In his emotional outburst of the tragic history of Rwanda that killed between
500,000–1,074,017 people during the mass murder or genocide of 1994, Mr. Ernest said that there was none to blame but ourselves. “It... Read More

GSDS participates in Book Exhibition in Delhi Public Library

As part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 550th Prakash Parv, Delhi Public Library (DPL) organised a 15-day festival from January 1-15, 2020 at Delhi Public Library, during which various programmes were organised. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Ram Sharan Gaur Chairman of DPL Book exhibitions formed an integral part of the programme in which the GSDS took active part. Shri Mohan and Shri Manish of GSDS represented the Samiti at the exhibition by displaying books on and by Mahatma Gandhi including few exhibition panels on Gandhiji’s life and philosophy.

Seminar on Gandhian Perspective to Skill Development

Mahatma Gandhi, all through his long public life invariably insisted on use of better and higher skills for working in whichever task or field he happened to be concerned with at any time. He believed in a constant and continuous learning process including experimentation, keeping the ideal as the goal but also knowing that human beings must always keep improving and rising in their skills but can never attain absolute perfection. To discuss the Gandhian perspective to skill development, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organized a one- day seminar on December 13, 2019 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The programme was organized in association with Vikas Bharti Bishunpur. The seminar was presided over by Padmashree Shri Ashok Bhagat who stressed on the Gandhian approach to skill development. Those who spoke on the occasion included Prof Nand Kumar Yadav, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jharkhand; Prof Kamini Kumar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Ranchi University and Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director, GSDS.
Later during the sessions, Dr Manju Aggarwal conducted an extensive session on naturopathy and healthy living for the about 100 participants who took part in the programme.

Workshop on Nonviolent Communication in the Judicial System

A one-day workshop was organized by the Samiti on Nonviolent Communication in the Judicial System at the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi on December 11, 2019. Students of several law colleges took part in this workshop. The workshop was conducted by the Director, Dipanker Shri Gyan and Progrsamme Officer, Dr Vedabhyas Kundu. This was part of the Samiti’s initiative to promote nonviolent communication in the judicial system. The aim is to promote meaningful interaction between the bar and the bench, lawyers and clients and witnesses and prosecutors.

Ranchi, Jharkhand Seminar on Gandhian Principles and the Judiciary

The Samiti in association with the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi organized a one-day seminar on Gandhian Principles and the Judiciary on December 10, 2019 in Ranchi. As part of this seminar different dimensions of Gandhian Principles were discussed which are important for the Judicial System. The GSDS Director, Mr Dipanker Shri Gyan discussed the practical applications of Gandhian ethics and how to promote ethical legal practices. He discussed several case studies during his presentation.
The GSDS Programme Officer, Dr Vedabhyas Kundu made a presentation on Gandhian Approach to a Nonviolent Jurisprudence. A salient feature of the seminar was insightful presentations by students of several law colleges on Gandhian Principles and the Judiciary. Perspectives such as judicial empathy, restorative justice, Gandhi as a lawyer, issues related professional ethics etc were discussed.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kesava Rao Vurrakula in his introductory address underlined that for young lawyers there was much to learn from Gandhi the lawyer.

Bihar Gandhi Exchange programme organised

The Samiti organised a three-day Gandhi Exchange Programme by sending the children of the two Buniyadi Vidyalayas of Brindavan, Kumarbagh and Sirasia Adda to the School of Creative Learning in Patna. 30 children and coordinator teachers took part in the programme from December 24-26, 2019. During the exchange programme, the participating children from the three schools exchanged ideas of creativity and innovation. Shri Vijay Prakash founder Director of the School of Creative Learning and Principal, Mrs. Mridula Prakash facilitated the programme. Shri Atul Priyadarshi coordinated the programme on the behalf of GSDS.
A creative fair with the theme “Inno Fest” was also organised as part of this programme in which participants from other schools of Patna also took part. A competition on innovative techniques was organised in which a child from Buniyadi Vidyalaya Sirasia Adda won the first prize.

Tributes to former Member of Parliament Shri A. V. Swamy

Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan led the staff in paying tributes to former Member of Parliament from Odisha, Shri Alajangi Viswanath Swamy on December 31, 2019. He was 91. The former parliamentarian breathed his last at his residence in Khariar Road of Nuapada district. Born on July 18, 2019 in Nabarangpur district, Shri Swamy was elected to Upper House of Parliament, Rajya Sabha as an independent candidate from 2012 to 2018.
The Samiti members also paid a silent tribute to one of its housekeeping staff’s mother who passed away on December 31, 2019.

Annual Review Meeting organised

Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan took an Annual Review Meeting in Gandhi Darshan on December 30, 2019 for the entire staff. Different units made their presentations at the review meeting which discussed the future programmes the Samiti could organise as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The day-long meeting addressed various issues of different units and provided a solution to the problems.

Sadbhavna Preeti Bhoj Prasad

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, GSDS hosted a “Sadbhavna Preeti Bhoj Prasad” on December 26, 2019 in Gandhi Darshan. Rajiv Gandhi Kalyan Sansthan organised this programme by offering gifts to the poor children, especially the girl child. About 255+ people took part in the programme that saw a gathering of speakers like Shri Laxmi Dass, Vice President Harijan Sevak Sangh and EC Member GSDS, Dr. A K Merchant, Trustee Bahai House of Worship, Maj General (Retd) Shri Ranjit Singh AVSM VSM and former Vice Chancellor Central University & CRS University Jind, Smt. Jasbeer Kaur, Shri Mahendra Kumar Khattar Industrialist and Shri Om Prakash Batra Chairman and Trustee of Rajiv Gandhi Kalyan Sansthan.

Gandhi Katha as part of Gandhi: 150 organised

Gandhi Katha by Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna was organized in Gandhi Darshan by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Culture and GSDS on December 24, 2019 in Gandhi Darshan. With a view to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Gandhi Katha was organized that saw the participation of almost 270+ youth from the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
The Katha is in a narrative style of telling episodes from the life of Mahatma Gandhi with music accompanying the narrative. Songs written by Narayan Bhai Desai (son of Mahadev Desai, the personal secretary to Gandhiji) make the katha more poignant. Each Gandhi Katha is contextual and is based on the historical connection and influence of Mahatma Gandhi in that place.
Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna emphasised her narrative on what she said, “The strength of soul, love and peace” which according to her Gandhiji advocated and practiced all through his life. She began the ‘katha’ with these words: “We are all born of truth, so long as the fear infused by the society doesn’t grips us in”, adding, “Gandhiji overcame that fear with truth and steadfastness”.
The artists who accompanied Dr. Shobhana in the Gandhi Katha included: Mr. Deepak Kalra and Ms. Swati Bhagat in the vocals, Shri Gurbej Singh on the Tabla, Shri Chetan Singh on the Harmonium and Shri Ganesh Singh on the Flute. During the narrative, Shri Rakesh spun on the charkha.
Earlier Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan... Read More

Live painting demonstration as part of Gandhi-150

Media Family in association with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised a live painting demonstration on December 23, 2019 in Gandhi Darshan. Artists Mr. Harpal Singh Chauhan, Mr. Gulrez Alo, Ms. Anamika S, along with Ms. Mahi Yashodhar, Mr. Vikas Mishra did a live painting on Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the Father of the Nation as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Sr. Journalist and General Secretary of Delhi Journalist Association, Shri Amlesh Raju was also present on the occasion.

Third Anupam Mishra Memorial Lecture organised

Eminent journalist and former editor of Hindi daily “Jansatta”, Shri Banwari ji delivered the third “Anupam Mishra Memorial Lecture” in Gandhi Darshan on December 22, 2019. Almost 95 participants that included representatives from different Gandhian organisations; youth and students, journalists and family members of late Anupam Mishra attended the programme. The theme of the lecture was “Swaraj and Gandhiji”.

Gandhi and Buddha can light us in our enlightenment: Shantum Seth

GSDS in association with ‘Ahimsa Trust’ organised a dialogue with almost 55 international participants from different parts of the world on a pilgrimage in the path of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. The delegation was led by Dharmacharya Shantum Seth of Ahimsa Trust. The members offered their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Martyr’s Column in Gandhi Smriti on December 22, 2019.
Later in a dialogue with the participants, Dh. Shantum Seth said, “We are meandering through life and Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha guide us in our path of righteousness. Buddha’s ideas and Gandhiji’s use of these ideas in practical life is an example of sacrifice for humanity, which we all must follow”, adding, “Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha can light us in our enlightenment”.
Speaking about the concept of ‘ahimsa’ or nonviolence, Dh. Shantum Seth said, “In every Indian, there’s a string of Gandhi and these strings can build civilisations on the lines of ‘ahimsa’.
Speaking about spinning, he further said that “Spinning was Mahatma Gandhi’s constructive meditation, for Gandhi always wanted his country folks to be self sufficient and thereby have their own economy of permanence”.
Earlier Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu spoke on the initiatives of the GSDS and said that compassion, sympathy, empathy and understanding of the concepts of non-violence communication can usher in dialogue and peace.
On this occasion, Shri Dharamraj spun on the charkha which some of the delegations also... Read More

Three-day Youth Leadership Development programme organised

GSDS in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan Central Delhi organised a three-day “Youth Leadership Development Programme” in Gandhi Darshan from December 19-21, 2019. 55 participants took part in the programme The guests at the inaugural programme included Shri Nand Kumar Singh State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan Delhi who was the chief guest, Shri Surender Kumar Babbar Assistant Director, Shri Rajdeep Pathak Programme Executive GSDS, Major Satish Sharma NCC and Shri Rajesh Kumar Jadon District Youth Coordinator. Shri Jagdish Prasad, coordinated the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nand Kumar Singh said that the objective of Nehru Yuva Kendra is to develop leadership capacity among the youth so that youth can become partners in their community and nation building and put their energy into the progress of the country.
Different sessions were conducted for the youth on ‘Career Counseling’, ‘Training in Community Development’, ‘Communications’, ‘Value Education and Role of Youth’, etc. The training programme concluded with certificate distribution.

Sensitize and mobilise people towards the idea of non-killing: Prof. N Radhakrishnan

The Samiti organised a dialogue on “Launch of Non Killing India & One Crore Non Violent Family” in Gandhi Darshan on December 18, 2019. The discussion was chaired by Prof. N Radhakrishnan, Member Gandhi: 150 Committee, Government of India. The other participants at the discussion included Dr. Anoop Swarup, Shri Govindnathan Nair, Dr. Y P Anand, Du. Gurudutt, Prof. Sanjeev, Prof. Ramesh Kumar, Shri Yatish MIshra, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, students and youth.
Mooting the discussing, Prof. Radhakrishnan said, “We must give revive Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of young soldiers of peace, whom Gandhiji called the ‘Shanti Sainiks’ as a gift to Gandhiji’s 150th birth anniversary. Saying that “Violence travels fast and non-violence travels at a snail’s pace”, Prof Radhakrishnan called for taking this concept to the families, where the approach should be based on individual acceptance, and thereby we could reach to one crore families”.
Dr. Y P Anand while quoting how Mahatma Gandhi defined ‘Ahimsa’ referred to the indirect or structural violence in the society that needs to be addressed, to begin what he called as the basic right of a child to be educated. He said that one needs to have a clear definition of ‘non-killing’ and that it must also address structural killing or structural disparities, where there’s killing slowly by degrees. He stressed that the bottom lines in terms of Education, health and sanitation be clearly drawn to take this initiative further”.
Others... Read More

Book “Unsung Builders of Modern India” presented to Shri Lal Krishna Advani

Shri Pankaj Chaubey along with author of the book “Unsung Builders of Modern India” Shri Pramod Kumar presented the copy of the book published by GSDS as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to Shri Lal Krishna Advani at his residence on December 13, 2019.

Prabudh Samvad urges people to preserve the cultural and traditional heritage of India

A dialogue on ‘Nationalism and Cultural Heritage’ was organised in Gandhi Darshan on December 10, 2019. The distinguished guests who addressed the gathering of over 400 participants spoke on the need to take pride in the cultural heritage of India. The guests who spoke on the occasion were, Shri Lal Krishna Advani, Dr. Murli Mahohar Joshi, Sadhvi Rithambara, Shri Trilokinath Pandey, Shri Vinay Katiyani, Shri C S Vaidyanathan and others.
Speakers like Shri L K Advani and Dr. M.M. Joshi while speaking about Lord Ram, said that Ram stood for the oppressed classes, he embraced the kewat (boatman) and even performed the last rites of the bird Jatayu. This was what Gandhiji had learnt from Ram’s teachings and applied it through patience and seriousness. They said that once the goal is achieved, one should remember that the work has just begun to make the country more strong. One should try to evolve to a level where conflict ends from within.
Sadhvi Rithambara spoke about how women in this country still feel insecure even before birth and how the rate of female foeticide is increasing. She appealed that our heritage is our women and we must evolve into a nation where a woman’s dignity is not tarnished and where every child feels secure.

Japanese Delegation from Shizenkan University visits Gandhi Smriti

Shizenkan University comprises Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation in Tokyo, Japan. This University in collaboration with School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL), Gurugram, India visited Gandhi Smriti on December 10, 2019.
As a part of their curriculum, the students of the university chose India for the second time to visit and acquire the best of the Gandhian and Indian philosophies on Leadership. With their 3-days tour packed with exploring the wonders of India, they visited the national memorial of Mahatma Gandhi to explore the journey of India filled with history and culture. The main agenda of the whole visit was to get the ideas more deeply on the struggles of Mahatma Gandhi. Shri Rajdeep Pathak gave a tour to the delegation along with Dr. Sailaja Gullapalli. Ms. Mansi coordinated the programme. Mr. Ramanathan Hariharan, President Consulting and Executive Education SOIL, was present on the occasion along with Mr. Patrick Newell, Japan Program Director ‘SingularityUJapan’.

Discourse on “A Gandhian Path for a Global Non-Violent Planet” organised

GSDS organised a day-long discussion on “A Gandhian Path for a Global Non-Violent Planet: Strategies of Action for a Culture of Peace” in Gandhi Darshan on December 9, 2019. In this discussion, eminent Gandhians and other enlightened people of the country discussed on the procedure to establish peace in the world and the importance of non-violence in world peace. The chief speaker was Venerable Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. Shri Laxmidas, Vice President of Harijan Seva Sangh moderated the discussion.
Inaugurating the discussion, Prof. Rinpoche said that if we expect change, then we have to change ourselves first. Only by changing ourselves, we can ask others for change. To end peace, we must first understand what is the root cause of Ashanti? Violence is the root cause of Ashanti (disturbance). The root cause of violence is malice, ignorance is the cause. So first we have to end ignorance to end the malice. The end of malice will end the violence, and the end of the violence automatically establishes peace. The Buddha said that the end of malice will not be with malice, but through malaise and compassion, hatred can be eliminated. Therefore, it is very necessary to end the animosity to try peace.
The others who took part in the discussion included: Shri Sri Krishna Kulkarni, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and member of the Gandhi-150 Committee, Dr. Ashok Pradhan, Director Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Vice Chancellor of Shobhit Vishwavidyalaya Shri Kunwar Vijendra... Read More

First Gandhi Smriti Peace and Nonviolence Lecture

As part of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi the first “Gandhi Smriti Peace and Nonviolence Lecture was organized and this lecture was delivered by His Eminence Ven. Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on December 8, 2019. Prof. (Dr) Kesava Rao Vurrakula, Vice Chancellor, National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, presided over the function. Shri Laxmi Dass, Vice President Harijan Sevak Sangh and EC Member GSDS,Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, former VC GSDS, Dr. Y P Anand, former Director National Gandhi Museum, Shri Ram Chandra Rahi, President Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, senior Gandhians Shri Satyapal, Shri Ramesh Sharma, academicians from colleges, people from the Korean Embassy and others joined on the occasion.
Children of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan’s Mehta Vidyalaya presented an inter-faith prayer as an invocatory performance.
Ven. Prof. Rinpoche based his lecture on the philosophy of the Buddha and Gandhi and emphasised on their integral philosophies of spiritual and practical approach to non-violence. He also referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s seminal work ‘Hind Swaraj’ as the key to solve many of the mounting problems which he termed as ‘civilisational crisis.
“Gandhian concept of Non-Violence is extremely apt for us because this concept of Non-Violence is accepted and practiced by His Holiness, our leader and he says that the Gandhian interpretation of Non-Violence is correct or the real one. And therefore we must study it; we must try to understand... Read More

Book “Unsung Builders of Modern India” presented to Shri Pranab Mukherjee

Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Asst Editor GSDS, Shri Pankaj Chaubey and author of the book “Unsung Builders of Modern India” Shri Pramod Kumar presented the copy of the GSDS publication to former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at a small function in Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s residence on December 6, 2019. Director GSDS also present a token memento to the former President.

“In the Path of Mahatma Gandhi, India-Zambia towards Peace and Non-violence”

In continuation of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi, GSDS tried to reach out to different Embassies/High Commissions in New Delhi to have a joint cultural programme with an aim to propagate the relevance of the Gandhian Philosophies of Peace and Non-violence in the international realm.
On December 6, 2019 a programme with the High Commission of Zambia in New Delhi was organised in Gandhi Smriti. The High Commissioner of Zambia to India, H.E. Mrs. Judith K.K. Kan’goma-Kapijimpanga was the chief guest in the function. The Deputy High Commissioner of Zambia to India, Minister Plenipotentiary H.E. Ms. Natihaika Francis Msuya from the Tanzanian High Commission in India, Deputy High Commissioner of Malawi, Mr. Patrick Mphepo and a host of other dignitaries from various embassies took part in the programme.
Students from Cambridge School, Indirapuram and Rashtra Shakti Vidyalaya, Uttam Nagar gave their musical performances on the occasion. During the interaction with HE Mrs Judith, the children felt worth coming and knowing about the history of the country apart from western nations. To their surprise, Mahatma Gandhi had a great impact on the peace marchers and freedom fighters of the African nation to get their independence from the same colonizer.
The High Commissioner gave the audience an inspiring presentation on the First President of Zambia, Kenneth David Kaunda who also received Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and... Read More

Women from the community raise their voice on community development

Around 30 women from different areas of SEWA which included Mustafabad, Sundernagri, Harkeshnagar, Rajeevnagar, Raghubirnagar, New Ashoknagar, Uttamnagar, Jahangirpuri along with representatives from Punjab and Bihar took part in a training of trainers “Agewan Vikas Initiative Program” in Gandhi Darshan on December 4-5, 2019.
Discussion on the differences between the formal and the informal sector to get an idea of what the Aagewaans understand about the formal and informal sector and what are the benefits that the informal sector cannot access due to its nature was conducted. Group presentations formed a major part of the programme.

Swedish King, Queen pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf Folke Hubertus and Queen Silvia Renate Sommerlath on Monday paid tributes to Mahatama Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti on December 2, 2019. The visiting delegation offered their tributes at the Martyrs Column.
The royal couple was received by the hon’ble Minister of Culture and VC GSDS Shri Prahlad Singh Patel. A tour of Gandhi Smriti museum was also given on the occasion by Dr. Sailaja Gullapalli, Research Associate. Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan was also present on the occasion.

Manipur Programme on ‘Inculcating Gandhian Values’

An orientation programme on how to ‘Inculcate Gandhian Values’ was organized for students of Delta Advance School, Imphal, Manipur on November 28, 2019. Different dimensions of Gandhian philosophy were discussed and how these can assimilated in daily lives by the children.
Dr Oinam Sareeta Devi, senior Gandhian and Dr Vedabhyas Kundu conducted the programe which saw interesting experience sharing by the children on how inculcating good values helps them.

Training of Trainers Introducing Peace and Nonviolence in Schools of Manipur

The Samiti organized a two day training of teachers on how to introduce peace and nonviolence in schools on November 29-30, 2019 in Imphal, Manipur. The programme was organized in association with the State Council of Education Research and Training, Manipur. About 100 participants took part in the training programme.
The different sessions that were organized included understanding of peace, nonviolence and conflicts; nature and types of conflicts; nonviolent resolution of conflicts in schools and classrooms; use of arts and other creative expressions to promote peace-building by children; nonviolent communication; how children can inculcate values like forgiveness, gratitude, compassion etc. It was felt that the ideas of peace and nonviolence should be reflected in school text-books too.

Assam National Seminar on Gandhi's Way to Peace: 21st Century Perspectives

A national seminar on “Gandhi’s Way to Peace: 21st Century Perspectives” was organised by GSDS in association with Assam University, Silchar was organised on November 14-15, 2019 in the University campus. 200 participants attended the seminar.
The seminar was inaugurated by His Excellency Sri Tathagata Roy, Honourable Governor of Meghalaya and emphasised that in order to draw proper lessons from a man’s life one must restrain from categorising his in the category of sainthood.
The participants and resource persons joined for a vibrant interaction on both the days of the seminar for a meaningful dialogue on Gandhian principles and ideology. Resource persons came all the way from the state of Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Delhi.
The keynote speakers were Prof. Nandana Dutta of Gauhati University and Prof. A. Natraju of Assam University. Other noted resource persons were from EFLU, Shillong and NIT, Silchar. As many as 42 papers were presented by academicians and research scholars.

Arunachal Pradesh Joy of Reading Festival organized

The “Joy of Reading Festival”, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh organized from November 4-8, 2019 by the Lower Dibang Valley District Administration of Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and the ICDS Department as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi saw a huge response from the participants, both young and old. It was inaugurated on November 4, 2019 by eminent educationist and ‘grandmother of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) in India', Prof Vimala Ramachandran.
The weeklong festival which highlighted the themes ‘Joy of Reading’ and ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ included lectures and interactions by Prof Vimala Ramachandran and eminent Gandhian scholar from Assam, Dr Alaka Sarma as well as a range of book activities, contests and book exhibitions. On special display was the Mahatma Gandhi’s biography in five Arunachal languages Adi, Apatani, Mishmi, Nyishi and Nocte by Tulika Books.
The weeklong festival concluded on November 8, 2019, leaving behind warm and rich memories for book lovers of all age groups.
Speaking at INV Roing, Prof Vimala Ramachandran shared her vast experiences of educational innovations arross India and South East Asia, and elaborated on the little known GOI document on “Positive Discipline’, which is today adopted by many reputed schools. At KGBV Dambuk, she outlined the origin of KGBV schools in India.
Describing the sterling contribution of the Mahila Shiksha Kendras in... Read More

Uthaan Foundation, Kolkata Seminar on Gandhiji’s Trusteeship and D.B. Thengadiji’s Labourisation in four Provinces - Nagda (M.P), Sikkar (Rajasthan), Barrackpore (W.B) and Banaras ( U.P)

1. September 14-16, 2019 at Nagda Madhya Pradesh
2. September 20-22, 2019 Pragoti Shikshan Sansthan, Dhodh Road, Sikkar (Rajasthan)
3. November 15–17, 2019 at Barrackpore Sadar Bazar, (Kolkata)
4. Sri B. N. Rai ji gave a keynote Address on the Subject on Trusteeship of Mahatma Gandhi and Labourisation of Lt. D. B. Thengadiji
A series of seminars were organized by Uthaan Foundation, Barrackpore Kolkata in association with GSDS with the following objectives:
1. To make aware the participants about the life and working of Mahatma Gandhi and Sri D.B.Thengadiji.
2. To make aware about Trusteeship and Labourisation
3. To publicise their 2 concepts in the public.
4. Industrialist and Mazdoor must know about their Real Role in developing Industry in the Country.
5. To minimize the Enemity and differences in Industrialist and Labour.

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