Book Release


 Release of Pictorial Narrative of Gandhi’s presidential debut at Belgaum Congress Session 1924


Book  Cover



On the occasion of centenary of Belgaum Congress Session Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan,  Wardha paid a  humble tribute to Mahatma’s legacy by officially releasing a publication   viz.The 1924 Belgaum Congress Session :A Pictorial Narrative of Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut.  This publication was a project of the library and research centre for Gandhian Studies of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan . The 1924 Belgaum Congress Session holds an iconic place in India’s struggle for independence and it was the 39th edition of the Indian National Congress, held in Belgaum (now Belagavi), Karnatakaon 26-27 December 1924. Gandhi’s presidency was a defining moment in the history of Indian National Congress and India’s struggle for freedom because it was the only time he presided over a Congress session.  It was a landmark event reminding us of his unwavering commitment towards bridging the divide between two factions of the Congress and bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and faiths to work towards a common goal of Indian independence.


Dignitaries releasing the book 



Dr.Siby K Joseph introducing the boòk





 The book release programme coincided with the inauguration of Winter Camp/Short Term Course on Gandhian Thought.  On 26 December 2024 Dr.Siby K. Joseph Director  of the Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan,   Wardha and the first author of the book succinctly explained the significance of the book. He said that it is an irony of history that  the centenary year of RSS and Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut happens in the same year. To ensure larger dissemination this book was uploaded in the archive.org on the very day it was published . It was  also made  available  in the Collections of  Gandhi Bhavan Collection, JaiGyan: Bharat Ek Khoj , Servants of Knowledge  and Hind Swaraj collections. The book can be down loaded free of cost from
 

 

 The ebook was also made keeping in mind the younger generation who prefer  Google play book. The link to access the ebook is 

The book was published by Somesvara Publications, Dharwad. The publisher informed that though it was published online and made it free both PDF and Ebook , the copies of the first print were exhausted which necessitated the reprint of the same. Soon after the publication the book got the google book listing. 

The  preparation of Kannada and Hindi versions of the book are also in progress. The translation works were almost completed. Shri Ram Dhiraj, veteran Sarvodaya activist and President of Uttar Pradesh Sarvodaya Mandal released the book in the presence of Shri Vijay Tambe Secretary of  Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan by giving a copy of the book  to  Dr. D. John Chellaurai,  Professor and Head, Department of Gandhian Studies and Dean Interdisciplinary Studies , Mahatma Gandhi Mission University, Aurangabad.  The research scholars  and teaching faculty representing the camp also joined hands with dignitaries. Shri Vivek Kumar Shaw, translator of the Hindi version of the book was also present on the occasion. The effort of the Centre was widely appreciated by the academic community and scholars. Smt. Ela Gandhi  of Phoenix  Settlement Trust, Durban  and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi described  this book  as  an outstanding work. Prof.  John S Moolakkattu, Chief Editor, Gandhi Marg,   Journal of Gandhi Peace Foundation,New Delhi  described this illustrated account of the Belagavi session, written and compiled by Siby K. Joseph and Basavaraj N. Akki, as a very useful and timely publication in the event's centenary year. Prof D. Jeevan Kumar Former Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies, Bangalore University, and
Managing Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust said “ In this pictorial exposition, the book delves into the circumstances that led to Gandhi’s acceptance of Presidentship of the session, the organizational details of a session that required meticulous planning and execution, the key resolutions that were passed – and much more. The narrative provides a good glimpse of Gandhi’s leadership and his vision of non-violent resistance and constructive work. It also affords a deeper understanding of how Gandhi’s philosophy and strategy shaped the trajectory of India’s independence movement, setting the stage for revolutionary change in the future.



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