81 st Death Anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi

 On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s demise, the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan organised a series of programmes to pay tribute to her memory. The commemorations began at 5:45 am on February 22, 2026, with a Ram Dhun chanting walk from the Nai Talim Ghanti Ghar to Ba Kuti at Sevagram Ashram, followed by a special prayer meeting in front of Kasturba’s cottage. During the day, congregational spinning was held at the prayer ground facing the hut, concluding with the evening prayer at the Ashram.

As part of the national observance, Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, delivered the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Address during an online gathering organised by the Gandhi Darshan Samity. The event, coinciding with the 81st anniversary of her martyrdom, was inaugurated by Shri V. C. Kabeer Master, President of Gandhi Darshan Samity, Kerala.

Continuing the commemorative events on February 23, 2026, the Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan organised a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentary Sita ki Beti, directed by renowned filmmaker Shilpa Ballal. The event took place at 5:30 pm in the Seminar Hall of the Library and Research Centre at Sevagram Ashram. Attended by Ashram residents, scholars, and social activists, the screening served as a cinematic tribute to the empowerment of women.

About the Film: "Sita ki Beti"

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the declaration of International Women’s Year, Sita ki Beti offers a profound socio-political analysis of the contemporary condition of women in India. Over its 100-minute duration, the Hindi documentary (with English subtitles) explores the intersectional challenges faced by women across diverse castes, religions, economic backgrounds, and environments. The film serves as a distressing reflection on the progress made—and the systemic hurdles that remain—five decades after the global call for gender equality.

Interactive Session

Following the screening, an engaging Q&A session was held with filmmaker Shilpa Ballal. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the film's thematic depth, covering the wide range of issues faced by women as depicted in the documentary. The dialogue underscored the importance of documenting women’s lived experiences as a tool for social transformation. Shri Vijay Tambe, Secretary of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, conducted the programme and thanked the filmmaker for the screening, which was held before a full-capacity audience in the seminar hall.