77 th Anniversary of Gandhi's martyrdom

 Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan observed the 77th Anniversary  of Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom on 30 January 2025 at Sevagram Ashram premises with a number of programmes. At  5.45 am a padayatra was organized  from Nai Talim Samiti (Ghanti Ghar) to Bapu Kuti  with Ramdhun.  It was followed by  Sarva Dharma Prarthana in front of Bapu Kuti at 6 am  with the participation of  Ashram community and large number of people .   After prayer,  all joined in the cleanliness activity in the premises of the ashram . Around 10 am  a padayatra which started from  Gandhi  statue  reached the ashram premises . 

At 10.00 am, the public  program began with recitation of  bhajan “Vaishnav Jan To Tane Kahiye Je.....“ by the students of Anand Niketan Vidyalaya, Sevagram . After that, a silent tribute was paid to departed souls   viz.  Shri Mohan Hirabai Hiralal, Gadchiroli, Shri. Anna Jadhav, Satara, senior sarvodaya  activists  and Adv. M.M. Gadkari, Nagpur,former President of  Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan who passed away on January 29.After that, a book on the 1924 Congress Session was released by the  dignitaries . Shri Vijay Tambe, Secretary of Sevagram Ashram gave a brief introduction of Dr. Nishikant Kolge chief guest Dr. Abhay Bang who presided over the programme .

Dr. Nishikant Kolge, a renowned Gandhian Scholar and author of the acclaimed book "Gandhi Against Caste", delivered a thought-provoking address on "Gandhi in Caste-ridden India". As a Professor of Distance Education at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad, and formerly with the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, and Tripura University, Dr. Kolge brought a wealth of knowledge to his lecture.

He highlighted Gandhi's open-mindedness, which led him to continually experiment and reform his views on various subjects, including medicine, diet, marriage ceremonies, and casteism. Gandhi's commitment to truth and consistency was unwavering, as evident in his statement, "My aim is not to be consistent with my previous statements on a given question, but to be consistent with the truth as it may present itself to me at a given moment."

Dr. Kolge emphasized Gandhi's willingness to discard earlier ideas and embrace new ones, illustrating his growth from a lower understanding of truth to a higher one. Despite seeming inconsistencies, Gandhi remained firm on basic issues and values that guided his actions. This paradox is reminiscent of the unity found in nature amidst diversity.

Dr. Nishikant Kolge emphasized the importance of understanding Gandhi's approach to caste through his personal practices, from childhood to his later years. To truly grasp Gandhi's stance on caste, it's essential to examine his life experiences and how they shaped his views.

Gandhi's personal journey with caste began at a young age. In his book "My Experiments with Truth," he recounts an incident where, at 12 years old, he refused to purify himself after touching an "untouchable" manual scavenger who had come to his home.This early experience laid the foundation for his future efforts to challenge caste barriers.

Throughout his life, Gandhi continued to grapple with the complexities of caste. While he made efforts to cut across caste barriers, there were no  instances where he acted in a casteist manner. For example, he allowed his younger son to marry a Brahmin girl. He cited a number of instances from Gandhi's life.

By examining Gandhi's personal practices and experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of his approach to caste and its complexities. As Dr. Kolge emphasized, it's crucial to consider Gandhi's entire life journey, from childhood to his later years, to truly appreciate his stance on caste.

Gandhi believed that social change is a gradual process that occurs over time. He set goals, worked towards them, and adapted his approach as circumstances allowed. Dr. Kolge invited the audience to imagine Gandhi's stance on contemporary issues including caste system, sparking a thought-provoking reflection on the relevance of Gandhi's philosophy in today's world.

In the midst  of public meeting all those who have assembled at the premises of Bapu kuti paid tributes to Martyrs by observing silence for two minutes at 11.00 am. 

Dr. Abhay Bang, a renowned public health expert, and the founder-director of SEARCH (Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health) in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, delivered the presidential address. Growing up in Sevagram, Dr. Bang has a deep personal connection to Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.

Dr. Bang highlighted Gandhi's significant impact on the caste system, particularly among Gandhian followers. Many young Gandhians, including Dr. Bang himself, defied traditional norms by entering into inter-caste marriages. Gandhi's influence extended to breaking down caste barriers, inspiring Brahmins to take up tasks traditionally reserved for Dalits, such as skinning dead animals and crafting shoes.Gandhi's approach was characterized by his astute political sense, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one issue at a time to achieve meaningful change.

As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, a continuous spinning programme was  held in the veranda of Bapukuti from 6.00 am to 5.30 pm. Thereafter, community spinning was held at the prayer ground followed by interreligious prayer of the ashram at 6pm. All the members , staff and management  of  the Ashram Pratishthan, Nai Talim Samiti, teachers and students of  Anand Niketan Vidyalaya  contributed towards the success of the entire programme. The program was attended by a number of persons  of Sevagram and Wardha as well as representatives of  organizations, campers  of the National Youth Organization and  Nai Talim Samiti and people from different  walks of life.