Visit of a group from Rajasthan

 

Gandhi Darshan  Yatris of Rajasthan  visits Sevagram Ashram 

A group of about 200 persons from different districts of Rajasthan reached Ashram  on August 23,2023. This was a part of Gandhi Darshan Yatra organized by Department of Peace and Nonviolence  of Government of Rajasthan.  The first part of Gandhi Darshan Yatra was from   Jodhpur to Sabarmati .The second part was from Sabarmati to Wardha. It started 20 August 2023 which is observed as Sadbhavana Diwas' coinciding  with the birth anniversary of India's Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.Sadbhavana Diwas is observed  with the objective to encourage national integration, peace, affection, and communal harmony among the Indian people of all religions.After completing their Yatra in Sabarmati  they proceeded to Wardha.The Yatra will conclude on August 25,2023.

 On their arrival at Sevagram Ashram a guided visit was arranged at the premises of Ashram. They visited the heritage buildings of the ashram. They were briefed about the significance of each building and the various departments of the Ashram.  Ms.Ashwini Baghel  and others were instrumental in guiding them.They attended the evening Inter Religious Prayer of the Ashram . 

 A meeting was arranged at the Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan to  familiarize them with Gandhian Thought and Sevagram Ashram on August 23.Shri Manojbhai of Rashtriya Yuva Sangatan Wardha made the introductory remarks in the meeting. He invited Smt.Ashaben Bothra President Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan,Dr.Siby K.Joseph Director,Library and Research Centre of the Ashram,Shri Jalandharnath Channole,resident of the ashram and others to the meeting.

Smt . Ashaben Bothra  welcomed all the participants to the Ashram and briefed them about the Ashrams of  Gandhi in South Africa and India and explained how Sevagram Ashram determined the history of the country and India's struggle for independence. She described Sevagram Ashram as the capital of freedom. 

She shed light on how Gandhian ashrams different from ashrams associated various religions.Gandhian ahrams the emphasis is on observances and explained the significance of 11 vows of Gandhiji. Remember that the vow of fearlessness was given by Gandhi. 

She said the concept of ahimsa of Gandhiji is different from the concepts of Gautam Buddha and Mahavir.Here  the emphasis is not of individual salvation but of society. His concept of aims at welfare of the last person to  welfare of all.Now the society is divided in the religion,caste, language etc. We should pledge to work against divisive forces to preserve the heterogeneous nature of country. Every one should have the same right to common man to the President or Prime Minister of the country. She shed light on various aspects of Gandhian thought and action in her presentation. 

Shri Jalandharnath Channole resident of the Ashram also spoke on the ocassion.He gave  information  about number of institutions working on Gandhian lines.He gave a broad overview of various padyatras he undertook in different countries including the recent one in African countries viz South Africa and Botswana. Jai Jagat was the mantra of these tours in India and abroad. It aimed at spreading the message of peace and nonviolence of Gandhiji.The participants   with enthusiasm  joined  him in singing Jai Jagat and other inspirational songs.

After a refreshment the participants again assembled at the Seminar hall. The participants sang a number of inspirational songs.Dr.Siby K.Joseph was the speaker of this session. He explained the  life and message of Sevagram Ashram  with help of power point presentation. It provided the birds eye view of milestone events of Sevagram from 1936 to the martyrdom. 

The participants expressed their gratitude to the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan for the opportunity to experience and understand the philosophy and message of  Gandhiji in the historic setting of the Ashram. They  will be visiting with Gandhian and constructive organizations in and around Wardha. The Gandhi Darshan Yatra was organized by Directorate of Peace and Nonviolence,Jaipur of Government of Rajasthan .