Shri Vijay Goel nominated Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti by Hon’ble Prime Minister
September 2, 2021
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, as the chairman of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), has nominated former Union Minister and Delhi BJP chief Shri Vijay Goel as the Vice Chairman of GSDS. The Prime Minister also nominated nine other members to GSDS General Body, vide a notification on September 2, 2021. The appointment was notified by the Union Culture Ministry which is the nodal ministry of GSDS.
The Prime Minister also reconstituted the Governing Body and Executive Body of GSDS with effect from September 2, 2021.
The nine members are Smt. Nirranjanaben Karalathi, Shri Banwari, Shri Suresh V Kalghatgi, Smt. Madhavi Kulkarni, Smt. Vijay Lakshmi Navaneetha Krishanan, Shri Raj Bahadur Sharma, Shri Mahesh Chandra Sharma, Shri Mahadev R Desai and Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.
Son of Shri Charti Lal Goel, formerly the Speaker of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Shri Vijay Goel had three consecutive terms as a member of the Lok Sabha (LS) — representing Delhi’s Sadar seat in the 11th LS (1996-98), and Chandni Chowk in the 12th and 13th LS (1998-99 and 1999-2004). In February 2013, he became the president of BJP’s Delhi unit.
The Union culture minister, Delhi governor, Delhi mayor, MCD commissioner, Union culture secretary, Urban development secretary are among the ex-officio members of the society.
Director GSDS welcomes GSDS new Vice Chairman and EC Members
September 6-8, 2021
Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti met the Vice Chairman of GSDS Hon’ble Shri Vijay Goel ji and welcomed him by presenting him an Angavastram, Charkha and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on September 6, 2021
He also met EC members Shri Banwari and Shri Mahesh Chandra Sharma and welcomed them as the new members of GSDS by presenting them an Angavastram, and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on September 7, 2021
Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also met Padma Bhushan Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak on September 8, 2021 and welcomed him as the EC member of GSDS by presenting him an Angavastram and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS was also present on the occasion.
Workshop and UDAAN Fellowship Retreat and Convocation ceremony
September 4-5, 2021
Participants at the leadership training programme organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti as part of the Convocation Ceremony of Udaan Fellowship in association with Indian institute of Democratic Leadership an initiative of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini being organised on September 4-5, in Gandhi Darshan Rajghat.
Hon’ble Minister of Development of North Eastern Region of India, Tourism and Culture, Shri G Kishan Reddy graced the UDAAN Fellowship Retreat and Convocation ceremony at the Constitution Club, as the Chief Guest on September 4, 2021 and gave away certificates to the Fellows. Dr. Vnay Sahasrabuddhe Vice Chairman, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini chaired the session. Shri Ravindra Sathe Director General RMP and Shri Ravi Pokharna Deputy Dean IIDL were also present on the occasion.
The UDAAN Fellowship Retreat and Convocation ceremony and training programme organized by Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership in partnership with GSDS concluded on September 5, 2021 in Gandhi Darshan Rajghat. Director Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan addressed the Fellows on the occasion. Shri Shantunu Gupta and Shri Ravi Pokharna also took separate sessions with the participants.
Discussion on ‘Geopolitics in the Era of Globalisation’
September 4, 2021
The Samiti organized an on-line discussion on “Geopolitics in the Era of Globalisation” on September 4, 2021. The discussion was based on the book Geopolitics in the Era of Globalisation authored by Ambassador Yogendra Kumar. The speakers at the discussion included former Governor of Sikkim, Dr. B P Singh; Ambassador C Dasgupta. Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS delivered the welcomed address.
This book presents an alternative roadmap for a world characterised by geopolitical uncertainty. The surging expectations about a future world of democratic values and high economic growth, born out of superpower bonhomie at the end of the Cold War, did not lead to the promised outcomes. Instead we are faced with deeply destabilising challenges, like climate change, widespread state fragility, terrorism, arms race, disruptive newer technologies, global economic volatility, and ineffectiveness of multilateral institutions, old and new.
Introduction to Nonviolent Communication
September 9, 2021
The Samiti organized an on-line session on “Introduction to Nonviolent Communication” on September 9, 2021 in association with Jagannath Institute of Management Studies, Greater NOIDA. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS conducted the webinar during which he explained how we can bring non-violent dialogue into our lives. And what are the things that we need to keep in mind during our speech - such as promoting creativity within ourselves, keeping ourselves aware, avoiding prejudice, not being judgmental towards anyone, other's understanding the problems, these are all the ways through which we can increase non-violent dialogue.
Book on ब्रिटिश सर्कार द्वारा प्रतिबंधित साहित्य में गांधी ('Gandhi in banned literature', a compilation of poems that created fear in the British rule) released
September 10, 2021
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti hosted the launch of the book ब्रिटिश सर्कार द्वारा प्रतिबंधित साहित्य में गांधी ('Gandhi in banned literature' in Gandhi Darshan on September 10, 2021. The book was launched by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal,. Also present on the occasion were senior journalist and President of Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Shri Vijay Goel. Diamond Books in association with National Archives released the book.
The articles published in the book are written by many unknown authors of the country, who had not seen Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle, nor were they influenced by Gandhiji, but had only heard him in front of Gandhiji in the freedom struggle. There are many books available on propounding the working principles of Gandhiji, but this book is different because its works were banned by the British Government.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in his keynote address said about the book that this book is a clear expression of Indian nationalism through Indian languages and is a unique collection of Hindi folk literature. He said that the works published in this book have been written by many unknown writers of the country, who had neither seen nor heard Mahatma Gandhi from the front in the freedom struggle. They were influenced by Gandhiji and composed the compositions expounding the principles of Gandhiji in the freedom struggle and added that although there are thousands of books on Gandhiji, but this book is different because its works were banned by the British rule.
Senior journalist Ram Bahadur Rai said that the Salt Satyagraha in 1931 was the biggest movement for the country's independence. At that time, Gandhiji's inspirations were working in the form of music, in the form of poems to kindle the flame of revolution among the people in every nook and corner of the country. Some such revolutionary poems have been presented to the people through this book.
Senior journalist Arvind Mohan said about the book that the poems compiled in the book have worked to create a revolution. These poems were working to take the message of Gandhiji to the people. The poems included in the book are not only poetry, but are the complete medium of communication of that time. These poems meet all the standards of poetry.
Shri Rakesh Pandey, the author and editor of the book, said that it took him four years to compile these works recorded in the files of the National Archives. He has collected about three thousand poems and has prepared this book by taking selected compositions from them. While sharing his experience, he said that there are fingerprints of the revolutionaries on these works, their art, and their emotions are recorded. “A different kind of thrill is felt by the touch of these poems”.
These poems, composed in different languages, may not meet the criteria of grammar or poetry, but they are folk genres. Their message is very clear. A poem is given in the book 'Gandhiji's Charkha'. This poem was banned on 30 March 1930. You also read this poem-
हमें ये स्वराज दिलाएगा चरखा
खिलाफत का झगड़ा मिटाएगा चरखा
हमको घूं-घूं की धुर्पद सुनाएगा चरखा
मेरे हौसले सब बढ़ाएगा चरखा
(This spinning wheel will give us Swaraj/The spinning wheel will end the conflict of the caliphate/The spinning wheel will tell us the sound of whispering/The spinning wheel will raise my spirits)
Shri Narendra Kumar Verma, Director, Diampnd Pocket Books, while speaking on the occasion said that Gandhi's ideas, which were banned by the government, were stopped because truth and non-violence raised his voice and this was not what the British government wanted. The compilation of these thoughts of Gandhiji, which remained unpublished, was taken out of the National Archives with great effort and presented it in a rhythmic manner, which is a commendable effort.
Meeting with Pensioners
September 11, 2021
Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan convened a meeting with GSDS Pensioners on September 11, 2021 in Gandhi Darshan to discuss various pending issues such as CGHS facility, DA and other issues with them. About 30 retired staff of GSDS took part in the meeting.
Hindi Pakhwara organized
September 14-28, 2021
As part of the celebrations to mark the Hindi Fortnight, Gandhi Smriti and Darhsan Samiti organsied the Hindi Pakhwara celebrations in Gandhi Smriti and Gandhi Darshan by inviting staff of GSDS to write essay on the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle as part of the 75 years of India’s Independence, celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav.
Seminar on Hindi Journalism in the New Era of Technological Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities
September 15, 2021
On the occasion of Rajbhasha Hindi Pakhwada, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Delhi Journalists Association organized a seminar on the topic “Hindi Journalism in the New Era of Technological Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities” on September 15, 2021. Senior journalist Shri Achutanand Mishra, Hind Mazdoor Sabha General Secretary Shri Harbhajan Singh Sidhu, Journalist Shri Umeshwar Kumar, NUJ General Secretary Shri Suresh Sharma, NUJ School of Mass Communication President Shri Ashok Malik, Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti Programme Officer Dr Vedabhyas Kundu, Senior Journalist Ms. Vichitra Sharma and other dignitaries including Shri Amarnath Jha spoke on the occasion.
On this occasion, Shri Harbhajan Singh Sidhu said that technological development has made journalism easy, but there is also a challenge to re-establish journalism in the new era. Referring to the grassroots journalism ending in mainstream media institutions, he said that there is a need to give priority to public concerns.
Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu said that in order to make journalism a public test, there is a need to make it simple and sensitive at the linguistic level. There is a need for news journalism behind the news.
Shri Ashok Malik said that technology has accelerated the pace of communication. At the same time, it has ended the long-standing linguistic boundary in journalism. Speakers on Hindi journalism in the new era say that now no one works without Hindi. Even the English people engaged in business have now accepted that it is difficult to achieve 'Laksh' without Hindi. The adoption of Hindi by all the companies providing social platforms is proof of this.
GSDS initiates programmes with Municipal Corporation of Delhi
September 28, 2021
Vice Chairman Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti initiated various programmes with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as part of the 75 years of India’s Independence and as a tribute to 152nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In a joint press statement issued by VC GSDS and all the three Mayors of Delhi Shri Raja Iqbal Singh, Shri Mukesh Suryan and Shri Shyam Sundar Agarwal on September 28, 2021, Shir Vijay Goel emphasised on the importance Gandhiji laid on cleanliness in his thoughts and actions.
It was decided with the three mayors of the MCD that about 2000 schools of the three municipal corporations, including:
1. About 700 schools in the Northern Municipal Corporation
2. Around 582 Schools of Southern Municipal Corporation
3. Around 350 Schools of Eastern Municipal Corporation
There will be a cleanliness fortnight in all these schools, in which each volunteer will be made in-charge of each school. He will get the cleanliness done with the cooperation of everyone in the school and will also get the other unnecessary junk removed. After this, wherever there is a need, not only will paint, paint, etc. be done, but the children's furniture, swings etc. will also be fixed.
Awards will be given to the schools with the best cleanliness in all three municipal corporations by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. Children will also be told about this campaign in online classes. The school staff and parents of the neighborhood will also participate in this campaign.
Besides these, fancy dress competitions jingles on Gandhiji and his philosophy will be other highlight of this initiative.
These children's competitions will be promoted through online classes on the My GOV Website, Gandhi Smriti and the children of municipal schools. All the participants will be given a digital certificate by the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and the concerned Municipal Corporation.
PROGRAMMES IN OTHER STATES
• Rajgir, Bihar
Workshop and seminar on Mahatma Gandhi and his thoughts
September 1-2, 2021
A two-day workshop based on Mahatma Gandhi and his thoughts was organized at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Rajgir under the joint aegis of Shri Gyan Gangotri Vikas Sanstha and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi which was inaugurated by honourable Member of Parliament Shri Kaushalendra Kumar by lighting the lamp on September 2, 2021. Almost 200 participants took part in this programme.
Addressing the workshop, Shri Kaushalendra Kumar said that this workshop has been specially kept on Khadi, which we are forgetting today in the era of new fashion. “Khadi is not just a garment, it is an idea and this was said by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
He further said that even today the image of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi comes in the minds of people as soon as the name of Khadi comes. “The picture in which Mahatma Gandhi himself is seen spinning the spinning wheel with yarn in his hands. Every Indian probably knows that Gandhi, Khadi and Azadi are complementary to each other. Khadi has always been a symbol of our country's freedom struggle. But, gradually now with the changing times, Khadi is also well projected in the world of fashion. To make India self-reliant, adopt Khadi in your fashion so that the relationship of Khadi is always connected with our history and tradition”.
Shri Kaushalendra Kumar also distributed certificates to 100 participants who took part in the workshop on day one (September 1) of the programme. The others who were present on the occasion included Principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Rajgir Shri Ashutosh Kumar; Shri Vivek Chandan Social Worker; Shri Manoj Kumar Mishra, TGT, Hindi; Dr. Mukhtar Singh, PGT, Hindi. A musical tribute to Gandhiji was also presented by Shri Pappu Kumar, music teacher and students. Shri Jairaj Kumar who organized the painting competition was also present on the occasion.
• TAMIL NADU
Mahakavi meets the Mahatma: Launch of Gandhi Peace Non-Violence and Art Dialogue Studies
September 2, 2021
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Bharathiar University organized a webinar on September 2, 2021 during which “Gandhi Peace Non-Violence and Art Dialogue Studies” was launched. The welcome address delivered by Dr. Ashitha Varghese, Coordinator of Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Collaboration.
The presidential address was delivered by the Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, Dr. P. Kaliraj. He stressed on the importance of merging two great ideologies of the Mahatma and the Mahakavi Bharathiar to achieve the common goal of creating a peaceful and virtuous society.
The special address delivered by the Head of the Department, Dr. P. Nagaraj stressed on the integration of peace and Gandhian thoughts into the fields of research. The alliance of the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Collaboration and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India was hailed as a golden start to the amalgamation of amity and harmony in research methodologies.
A pre-recorded video message was delivered by the Guest of Honor, Dr. Mira T Sundara Rajan, Visiting Professor at UC Davis Law School, California and the great granddaughter of Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi. The incident of the meeting of the Mahatma and Mahakavi was described were the harmony of the thoughts between the two was highlighted. She stressed on the basic principles of human dignity and equality held high by both the father of the nation and the Tamil National poet. Both were committed equally to the pursuit of freedom.
Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director, GSDS professed that the collaboration would be a message to the masses accentuating the concept of universal brotherhood. The expertise of both the GSDS and the Centre for Literary and Cultural Studies and Collaboration could be joined to create a society with Gandhian values in its core. He summed up his address by wishing the best for the future endeavors of the department.
Dr. Vedhabyas Kundu, the Programme Officer GSDS stressed on the promotion of large number of academic work where the application of Gandhian philosophies is practiced. The multi-lingual availability of the courses and the coercion of Gandhian philosophy and research were stressed. The construction of a pro-society with great leadership among the youth was mentioned as the advantage of the initiative.
The launch event concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. B Padmanabhan, who underlined the importance of the Gandhian philosophies in the current age.
• SILCHAR, ASSAM
National Webinar on Art and Culture of Barak Valley
September 4-5, 2021
A two-day National Webinar on “Art and Culture of Barak Valley” was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi in collaboration with Shilpangan, Silchar and was supported by Sanskar Bharati Poorvottar, on September 4-5, 2021.
On day one, the speakers included, Dr. Ganesh Nandi, Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Arts Assam University, Silchar. Dr. Pinak Pani Nath, Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Arts, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan.
On day two, the speakers were Dr. Meghali Goswami, HoD, Art History Department, Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan. Dr. Amalendu Bhattacharjee and Associate Professor (Retd), Department of Bengali, G. C College, Silchar.
The ongoing global health crisis has ruptured the functioning of both individuals and institutions. At this difficult time, Shilpangan is invested in identifying and responding to the needs of the primary communities it serves. To honour our longstanding commitment to young artists and supporting art practice at a time this poses unprecedented challenges. Shilpangan is a body working to promote art and culture in North-East region
• ODISHA
Tributes to Acharya Vinoba on his 127th Birth Anniversary
September 11, 2021
Young India need to understand the value of freedom: Braja Kishore Tripathy
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Vinoba Seva Pratisthan (VSP) in Odisha as part of the national level celebration to mark the 75 years of India’s Independence and 100 Years of Mahatma Gandhi’s first arrival to Odisha organized a seminar to commemorate the 127th birth anniversary of Acharya Vinoba Bhawe on September 11, 2021 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Bhagban Prakash, President of Vinoba Seva Pratisthan and former Adviser to the Election Commission of India.
The General Secretary of VSP Manoj Jena had welcomed the guests as well as participants and said about the objectives of the celebration. He said that the organization has decided to bring Gandhiji's vision of self-reliant village or Gram Swaraj in 75 districts of the country through various programs on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. He also said a project has been taken by the organisation to provide land ownership and entitlements to women in Odisha.
Former Union Minister Braja Kishore Tripathy has stressed about the need of an egalitarian society as propounded by Gandhi and Vinoba. The government should adopt socialism rather than the capitalist system and further said that the young India need to understand the value of freedom.
Mr. Akhil Kumar Mishra, regional director of the Outreach Bureau under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Department of the Government of India, said the government aims to build a self-reliant India or Atma Nirvar Bharat of Gandhiji through the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Dr. Rina Rautaray, the convenor of Gandhi Odisha 100, said the future India as youth should keep the dignity of freedom and contribute for rural development. She said on the centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi’s first arrival to Odisha, the forum Gandhi Odisha 100 will adopt 100 gram panchayats in Odisha to promote Gandhiji's vision of peaceful society.
Former Member of Parliament and an eminent Dalit leader Hon’ble Shri Ananta Prasad Sethi called on the youth to be the change agent and advocated a casteless & classless society as dreamt by Father of Nation.
The other guest who spoke in thematic session were chairman of Kalinga Foundation Trust, Mr. Bimal Das, chairman of Odisha Parents Association Mr. Basudev Bhatta, Secretary of Jai-Kiran Trust Mrs. Sumitra Jena. Secretary of Odisha Environment Society, Mr Raghunath Prusty, Mr Bijay Pradhan, State Convenor of Ekta Parishad, Coordinator of NSS Prof Raghunath Mandal and Spokesperson of Mahanadi Bachhao Andolan Mr Prasanna Bisoi, Convenor of Bhitamati Suraksha Manch Mr.Arun Jena.
At the beginning of the meeting silent prayers were offered for eminent people who lost their lives especially people who died in Covid. They are: late freedom fighter Padmashree Bhabani Charan Pattnaik, Eminent sculpture and Rajya Sabha MP Padmabibhusan Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra, Padmashri Radhamohan etc. Smt. Sajani Barik, who has given up her life for social work, she was honoured with the Sasirekha-Raghunath Seva Samman-2021 by Vinoba Seva Pratisthan. A patriotic cultural programme was performed by the youth team of VSP that enthralled the gathering.
• ERNAKULAM, KERALA
E-Workshop on Peer Mediation
September 16, 2021
An e-workshop on “Peer Mediation” was organized with St. Teresa College, Ernakulam, Kerala on September 16, 2021 that was conducted by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS. The workshop was conducted in association with the Gandhian Peace and Nonviolence Studies Centre on St. Teresa College, which is an initiative of the Department of English and the Centre for Research of the College. Around 150 students took part in the e-workshop that discussed various levels of conflicts and how through peer mediation conflicts can be resolved amicably.
• SITAMARHI, BIHAR
Children show their creativity during competitions on Mahatma Gandhi’s thought and philosophy
September 26, 2021
A competition on Gandhi philosophy and thought was organized on September 266, 2021 in the MP High School campus located at Headquarters Dumra. 74 students of private and government schools participated in the competition organized under the joint aegis of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Sansthan, Gandhi Vichar Manch and Self-Reliant Army.
Children showed their talent in the painting competition. At the same time, through quiz, essay and speech, they made their own presentations on Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and his ideals.
Giving information, the coordinator of the program, Dr. Manish Kumar said that a total of 21 students participated in essay competition, 6 in speech, 54 in painting and 74 in quiz.
Successful children in this competition will be honored in the function to be held on 2nd October. On the occasion, DCLR Shri Lalit Kumar Singh, Shri Ashok Kumar, Gandhian thinker Smt. Usha Sharma, lyricist Shri Gitesh, Shri Balbodh Jha of Hind Rise, Shri Gulshan Kumar Singh of Self-Reliant Army, Ms. Priyanka Kumari of Fit India, Shri Amar Anand etc. encouraged the children.
Programmes as part of International Day of Peace – September 21, 2021
1. International Lecture Series on Rediscovering Gandhi Peace Propositions
The International Lecture Series on ‘Rediscovering Gandhi Peace Propositions’ organized by the Centre for Literary, Cultural Studies and Collaboration, Department of English and Foreign Languages, Bharathiar University in association with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi was organized on September 21, 2021.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. P. Nagaraj, Head of the Department of English and Foreign Languages, Bharathiar University. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Bharathiar University, Prof. Dr. P. Kaliraj was welcomed in absentia and thanked for the enduring support that had helped in the fruition of many endeavors initiated by the Department of English and Foreign Languages, Bharathiar University. Dr. Vedhabyas Kundu, the Programme Officer of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti and the Chief Guest of the session Prof. Anjali Gera Roy of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur were heartily welcomed to the event conducted on the World Peace Day.
Dr. Ashitha Varghese, Coordinator of the Centre for Literary, Cultural Studies and Collaboration, reinstated the essentiality of peaceful initiatives in resolving conflicts in a world incarcerated and stunted by the pandemic. The theme for the International Day of Peace 2021 “Recovering better for an Equitable and Sustainable World” was emphasized by highlighting the battle fought with the constrictive structures of human society and how Gandhian principles could reveal the pathways of Peace to posterity.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Anjali Gera Roy, an eminent Professor in the Department of Humanities of Social Sciences in the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur began by invoking the words of the great philosopher and mystic poet of Punjab, Baba Bulleh Shah. The verse urged its listeners to break down anything that could be broken, save the human heart, for there resided the Almighty. The talk traced the emergence of Nationalism rooted in religion that co-opted script, language and culture to divide Punjab that was once united by shared cultures of piety in the nineteenth century.
The argument that folk and popular culture of Punjab could serve as sites of memory for the overlapping boundaries fragmented by religious and cultural identities was put forth by delineating the syncretic, composite and pluralistic culture of Punjab.
The tolerance displayed by the cultures of Indus Valley and the presence of religious syncretism displayed by the diverse mystical sects were elaborated to illustrate the porous and fluid religious boundaries of erstwhile societies. The shared practices inculcated by the Sant tradition was examined as a site of syncretic space and interfaith dialogues. The emergence of formal religious identities in the end of the nineteenth century that inhibited the overlapping boundaries of faith was examined by focusing on the topics of Islamicization, Arya Samaj and Singh Sabhas.
Prof. Anjali Gera Roy concluded her lecture with the hope that the bleeding body of the divided Punjab could be healed by the unguent of Art, Music and Literature.
The event came to a summation with a vote of thanks by Dr. B. Padmanabhan, Assistant Professor, Department of English and Foreign Languages, Bharathiar University.
2. Gandhi Smriti Peace and Nonviolence Lecture by Prof. Henry Yampolsky
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti as part of the celebrations to mark the International Day of Peace organized the ‘Gandhi Smriti Peace and Nonviolence Lecture” on September 21, 2021 that was virtually delivered by Prof. Henry Yampolsky Co-founder of Living Peace Institute and Professor at Virginia Tech University. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS gave an initial introduction of the speaker and welcomed the gathering.
Prof. Yampolsky, an international expert on Conflict resolution, Mediation and Peace building, had titled the lecture as “Dis-solving Conflict from Within: An Inward Path for Conflict Transformation”. The founder of Living Peace Institute, Prof. Yampolsky had authored the book ‘Di-solving Conflict from Within: Transforming Conflicts into Opportunities for Growth, Connection and Dialogue’ to be released in 2022. An avid adventurer, Prof. Yampolsky’s motorcycle journey across the Himalayas that taught him spiritual lessons on conflict, connection and dialogue is documented as an acclaimed Tedx Talk.
Prof. Yampolsky elaborated on visualizing a conflict to a fire having the triple elements of Narrative, Attachment and Emotion. The neurological transformations that occur when triggered into a conflicting circumstance with focus on the duality of escape and control was elaborated. The human ability to respond or react to the conflict was traced as an inward journey. The resolution was unearthed as a movement from reaction to response that could be achieved with a centering of Self in Space.
Tuning Inwards by the spiritual practices of meditation and yoga was ascertained as the primary means of achieving solution in conflicts. The critical key to unravel true compassion and connection to humanity of the Other was explained to be attained by first seeking an explication within the Self. Observation without Evaluation and Expansion that identified humanity over the narrowness of Ego were specified as measures of resoluteness.
The limitless possibility that a transformed conflict could contribute was elaborated with the human need for love, security, beauty and authenticity. Conflicts could open up discussions that were formerly unthought of, thus paving way to a positive metamorphosis.
Dr. B. Padmanabhan, Assistant Professor, Department of English and Foreign Languages, Bharathiar University proposed the vote of thanks.
3. E-Conference on International Peace Day
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in collaboration with Department of Gandhian Studies Punjab University, Gandhi Peace Mission, Centre for Global Nonkilling (Hawaii) organized an e-conference on the occasion of the International Peace Day on September 21, 2021. The speakers at the conference included Prof. Anup Swarup from Centre for Global Nonkilling; Prof. William Baskaran, Dean, Gandhigram Rural Institute; Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Former HOD, Department of Gandhian Studies, Pubjab Univeristy; Dr. Manish Sharma, HOD of Department of Gandhian Studies, Punjab University; Dr. R Mani, HOD of Gandhian Studies, Gandhigram Rural Institute; Dr. Anshul Sharma, Punjab University. The session was chaired by Prof. N Radhakrishnan, Gandhian scholar, academician and former Director of GSDS. Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS delivered the welcome address. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES
Conversations on Peace and Nonviolence with Global Experts
September 1, 2021
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organized a dialogue on the book “Conversations on Peace ad Nonviolence with Global Experts” where the authors or contributors took part in the dialogue and shared their perspectives. The dialogue was organized on September 1, 2021.
Shri Laxmi Dass, Dr. Jenet Gerson, Mr. Christian Wolo Bethelson, Prof. Emily Welty, Prof. Alberto Gomes, Prof. Upendra Baxi, Late Natwar Thakkar, Prof. N. Radhakrishnan, Mr. Anil Xavier, Prof. Priyankar Upadhyaya, His Eminence Samdhong Rinpoche, Prof. Matt Meyer, Ms. Bernedette Muthien, Shri Laxmi Dass, Prof. Lester Kurtz and Prof. Vidya Jain.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Laxmi Dass said that the effort is to bring the peace workers from different part of the world. The book will go a long way as a study material for peace scholars for their study of Gandhain peace research.
The speakers unanimously reiterated the need for positive narratives, positive values and nonviolent medium. They said that there is no other way to resolve conflict, but with dialogue.
Certificate Course in Dialogue Studies Launched
September 25, 2021
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Indialogue Foundation launched the on-line ‘Certificate Course in Dialogue Studies’ on September 25, 2021. Mr. Qamar Agha, President Indialogue Foundation and Mr. M. Behzad Fatmi, Secretary-General, Indialogue Foundation along with Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu joined the virtual launch ceremony. Almost 34 students from different nations such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan are enrolled in this free certificate course launched as part of the 75 years of India’s Independence.
Dialogue has emerged as a crucial factor in pacific resolution of conflicts across multicultural societies in the age of globalisation. It is fast emerging as a postmodern interdisciplinary discourse in academia. This course therefore aims at familiarising participants with basic concepts, theories and discourses of dialogue. The course would involve the theoretical application of dialogue in resolution of conflicts in cross-cultural case studies. It would also attempt to contribute to the frameworks of practice of dialogue.
“A combination of historical, comparative, dialogic method and inter-subjectivity would be applied in imparting teaching and conducting classes”, said Mr. M Behzad Fatmi at the launch programme. Apart from organising lectures and workshops by experts, relevant films and documentaries too will be screened during the course, he informed.
Speaking on the relevance of the course, Me. Behzad further elaborated that “Dialogue in the modern age has emerged as one of the most effective tools of diplomacy to address multi-layered conflict situations. Dialogue studies significantly contributes to the academic disciplines of international relations as well as conflict and peace studies. It helps shape a dialogic narrative and a democratic personality”.
Various modules have been designed for this course and experts will guide the students.
VISITORS
Dr. Hasan Mahmud from Bangladesh visits Gandhi Darshan
September 6, 2021
His Excellency Dr. Hasan Mahmud MP, Hon'ble Minister for Information and Broadcasting of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh visited the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra situated at Gandhi Darshan complex on September 6, 2021. Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan welcomed the dignitary on the occasion. The honourable Minister also visited the museum.
