Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha

  At the request of Gandhi International (France), the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan’s library and research centre facilitated an immersive program on Gandhian philosophy from January 26–30, 2026. An international delegation of eight members spent five days at the Ashram, led by Mr. Louis Campana, President of the Gandhi International and Shanti Association in France, and Mrs. Margarete Hiller from Germany, the worldwide director of the Communities of the Ark of Lanza del Vasto. Moving beyond a standard study visit, the delegates sought a deep understanding of the Ashram's core philosophy and mission. Throughout their stay, they fully immersed themselves in daily life at Sevagram and travelled to regional landmarks, including Brahma Vidya Mandir (Paunar), Magan Sangrahalaya (Wardha), Anandwan (Warora), Gitai Mandir, and the Peace Pagoda (Gopuri). To conclude their journey, they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by participating in all community activities to solemnly observe the anniver...

 

 

 The Online International Fellowship Program on Nonviolence and Peace (IFPNP) concluded its four-month journey on January 30, 2026, with a valedictory session organized by the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. The program was held in association with an esteemed global network of partners, including Gandhi International (France), The Academic University College for Non-Violence and Human Rights (AUNOHR) (Lebanon), the International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) at the Durban University of Technology (South Africa), and Portland Community College (USA). Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the International Fellowship Programme on Nonviolence and Peace, presided over the function. The session commenced with introductory remarks from Dr. Michael Sonnleitner, a former professor and trustee of Portland Community College, who introduced the guest speaker. Prior to the main address, Louis Campana, President of Gandhi International, France, addressed the fellows. He advocated for replacing destructi...

Sevagram Ashram Observes  Mahatma Gandhi’s 79th Martyrdom Anniversary with Global Tributes  On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom (January 30, 2026), the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan  Wardha, Maharashtra, organized a series of solemn tributes to honour the life and legacy of Bapu. The day's commemorative programme at the Ashram began at 5:45 am with a traditional Bhajan chanting walk beginning from the Nai Talim Ghanti Ghar (Bell House) and concluding at Gandhi’s iconic hut, Bapu Kuti. A special interreligious prayer meeting was held  6 am in front of Bapu Kuti, another traditional practice followed at the Ashram on the occasion. A symbolic 11.5-hour continuous spinning session on the charkha (spinning wheel) took place on the verandah of Bapu Kuti. around 28,000 meters of yarn was spun on charkhas on the occasion. This anniversary was also marked by international participation, including a visit from a global dele...

Dr. Siby K Joseph's  virtual addrees on Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi   On January 29, 2026, Dr Siby K. Joseph of the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan addressed an online meeting for "The Path of Wisdom" project. This initiative serves as a cultural bridge of friendship between Russia and India. The presentation highlighted the shared humanistic philosophies of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing non-violence, compassion, and mutual understanding. The initiative is a paired humanitarian project featuring two interconnected parks: one in Kazan, Russia, and a twin park in a selected Indian city or university. Built under a unified concept, these "mirror" spaces symbolize a living cultural dialogue. They aim to show that core values of responsibility and humanism are common to both cultures. Rather than standard public gardens, these spaces will function as living trails that engage visitors through interactive elements. The paths will feature philosophical quo...

   

 

Exploring Sevagram Ashram: An Interview with Dr. Siby K. Joseph  Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, was interviewed by Adnan R. J. at the MGM Community Radio Station of MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar, on January 24, 2026.  The interview aimed to introduce Mahatma Gandhi's Sevagram Ashram. Dr. Joseph was at MGM University to participate in the three-day International Conclave on Sustainable Technology: Fundamentals, Principles, and Ethics, organized by JNEC and FIDS, MGM University, Chh. Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India, from January 23-25, 2026. 

  Philosophical Foundations of Sustainable Technology: A Gandhian Perspective   Siby Kollappallil Joseph Although Mahatma Gandhi did not use contemporary terms such as "sustainable technology" or "sustainability," these concepts were deeply imprinted in his holistic approach to the crises humanity faced during his lifetime. These ideas were ingrained in the principles that formed the foundation of his philosophy of life. The philosophical foundation of sustainable technology finds its most profound expression in Gandhi’s relational worldview, based on the unity and oneness of all life and its interconnectedness. Such a worldview rejects the fragmentation of human activity into isolated economic or technical spheres. Gandhi’s refusal to divide life into "watertight compartments" meant that a technical solution cannot be considered successful if it is economically viable but ethically or ecologically destructive. The core tenet of sustainable technology is t...

    Brief Report of   a Wedding at Sevagram Ashram On January 9, 2026, a unique wedding took place at Sevagram Ashram, the first of its kind in many decades.  Advocate Mohan Dixit from Vidisha and Geeta Kadve from Pāndhurna were united in marriage  in the open ground near Bapu Kuti  in a programme in tune with Gandhian values. decades.  Their day began with  shramdaan  (voluntary labor). Both the bride and groom participated joyfully in ashram activities and manual labor throughout the morning before the ceremony. Dressed in traditional attire, they walked barefoot—without drums, music, or fanfare—to the open ground near Bapu Kuti. Guests from across India attended, sitting on green mats and chairs arranged in a circle. The ceremony began with Gandhi’s  Sarva Dharma Prarthana  (Universal Prayer), setting a solemn tone for the occasion. Ankit Bhai conducted the proceedings, while Dr. Sanjay Singh, Secretary of Gandhi Smarak Nidh...

  Ms. Shubhangini Shrikrishna Vairagade joined the staff of the   Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies    at Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, on January 19, 2026. She holds MA (Economics)and M.Lib. degrees and previously served as a librarian at various institutions. Her current responsibilities include  mainly documenting the library's resources, primarily physical books and documents. Upon completion of this task, she will also document the library's extensive collection of digital resources.

Guest of Honour at Kerala Samajam Wardha      Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, was the Guest of Honour at a meeting organized by the Kerala Samajam Wardha on January 18, 2026. The public meeting was held at the premises of St. Antony National School, Wardha, on the eve of the New Year. In his address, Dr. Siby  Joseph stated that   2026 is a challenging year   for all, with artificial intelligence and robotic machines controlling lives. He narrated a   misadventure that happened in a French airport   where a robotic machine refused entry to a person despite having a valid visa for India. In this changed world,   meetings of this kind are necessary   because they foster community spirit through personal interaction and the breaking of barriers related to caste, religion, and economic status. He emphasized that in this machine age, people are...