Short Term Course on Gandhian Thought December 26-30, 2023



Winter Camp/Short Term Course on Gandhian

 Thought for College/University Students

Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha organized the Winter Camp/Short Term Course onGandhian Thought from 26 -30 December 2023 at the premises of the Ashram.  In this residential short-term course on Gandhian Thought and action, 50 college/ university students including  two  faculty members from 13 States of India participated. The objective of this short-term course/camp was to acquaint the students with the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi and its relevance in humanity’s current predicament. The inaugural function was held on the 26th  morning at the Seminar Hall of   Library and Research Centre.  Smt. Asha Bothra PresidentSevagram Ashram Pratishthan Sevagram  inaugurated the camp by spinning  the traditional  Gandhi Charkha in the presence  of Prof.  Sunil Ganatra and representatives of participants from different States of India.  Dr. Siby K. Joseph of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthangave a brief introduction  about  ashram and  the very purpose of organizing this camp for University students. Smt. Asha Bothra President, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan welcomed all the participants and gave her  all best wishes for have a meaningful camp in the inspiring premises of the ashram . In her inaugural address she succinctly analysed  the message of Mahatma Gandhi from Sevagram. She concluded her address  by focusing on the following  points viz.  education,  organization , struggle, constructive action  and freedom. 

 The resource persons who delivered  lectures and guided discussions were :Dr. Sunil Ganatra, Professor, Institute of Science Nagpur ; Dr. D. John Chellaurai,  Professor and Head,Department of Gandhian Studies and Dean Interdisciplinary Studies , Mahatma Gandhi Mission University, Aurangabad ;Dr. William Baskaran , Professor,Department of Gandhin Thought and Peace Science Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul ; Dr. D. Jeevan Kumar, Hon. Professor, Karnataka State Rural Development & Panchayat Raj University; Managing Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust, Bangalore; Dr.Ravindra RP Activist,Writer, Editor and former Trustee of the Ashram Pratishthan;  Dr. Rohit Sharma, Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Jammu;  Prof. Somnath Rode , Member , Board of Trustees ,Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan;  Dr. Ulhas Jajoo MD, Professor , MGIMS, Sevagram;Dr. B. S. Garg (MD, Ph. D. FAMS) Secretary, Kasturba Health Society, Sevagram,  and Dr.Siby K. Joseph of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan.

 Some of the unique features of the camp were Prayer , Yoga ,Community work/ Shramdaan, Peace Games and Discussion/Question Answer Sessions, Concurrent Group Discussions,   Sevagram Ashram Darshan , field visit to the ashram and constructive work organizations in Wardha and other places of historic importance, Peace Walk, signing of devotional songs  and cultural event. The important areas discussed in the camp include the following:  An introduction to the Life of Gandhi , Fundamentals of Gandhian Thought, Nonviolence as the basis of Truth and Fundamentality of Truth,  Scientific basis of Gandhian principles, Misconceptions about Gandhi ,  Gandhi in the 21st Century : A development Perspective,  Gandhi, Environment  and Sustainable  Development , relevance of Khadi ,Gandhi and  Gender ,Gandhian Techniques and Methods for Promoting Communal Harmony,  role of Gandhi in India’s struggle for freedom,Gandhi’s approach to caste and Untouchability, Opportunities and Difficulties to Learn Gandhiji’s Life and Action for ModernYouth, Striving For Peace : Lessons from Gandhiji and Gandhi’s approach to health .The Valedictory Session was held on the evening of the fifth day of the winter camp on Gandhian thought and action and participants evaluated the days they spent in the ashram.  All participants  were full of appreciation for the programme.The course concluded with distribution of Certificates to the participants.

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