A special day at Gandhi Peace Foundation, Madras ( 2nd October , 2012)
No other day will be special for me than Mahatma’s birthday to join with youngsters for the celebration at Gandhi Peace Foundation located at 332,Ambujammal Street , Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018.
Normally pillars will be erected over the foundation to have a roof above, literally. But Gandhi Peace Foundation is itself a roof over the two pillars , Dr.S.Kulandhaisamy and Dr.Shenbegavalli , for all youngsters to take shelter , learn Gandhian principles and values and spread the same to the society by practicing it , in addition to their curriculum .
This function is not like many other to garland Mahatma’s photo , speak about his birth , service and philosophy with readymade scripts and disperse after our National Anthem. At GPF you always can expect unexpected to happen and it is true this year also. NSS volunteers of Stella Maris College stole the show added to Dr.S.K’s pun filled comments energizing the complete audience .
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| Stella Maris College NSS Volunteers at Gandhi Peace Foundation |
Senior citizens like me also joined hands with the young ones to grace the occasion on Gandhi Jayanthi day. Young parents with their kids , from Tamilnadu , Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh , who won the prizes for the competition held earlier from the book “ My Experiments with Truth “ – an autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi.
The function started at 9.30 am as per Gandhian punctuality ( we Indians have earned a name called ‘ Indian punctuality ‘ – you know what I mean ! ) with Bhajans sung by “ Jignyasa “ students. It was enchanting to our ears and for 30 minutes they took us all to an elevated place other than earth.
“ Women for World Peace “ was the topic and two young girl students Ms.Annie Swetha and Ms.Ezhil Vadhani presented their work soon after Dr.Sarojini Varadappan of Women Indian Association gave a brief talk on women’s role for peace and prohibition , which is the need of the hour.
Next Ms.Sureksha Giri , Member,GPF presided with a talk on Self-reliance and Decentralised Governance in easily understandable English on the literal meaning of the two important words. In continuation Ms.Sophy and Ms.Ilakkia presented their papers on the same topic and invited the participants , particularly students for a participative workshop to detail the subject for the audience benefit. A student claimed that she cannot do all her duties on her own and shared a contraction boldly.Peace Boys spoke on the same topic by sharing their ideas and experiences. But an aged person explained on Self reliance that it means the country that should not rely upon foreign countries and use the resources available in our country to produce goods and services. Dr.S.K joined to explain the clear meaning of both the words.
Another interesting topic “ Youth for Conflict Resolution “ started by Dr.Lalitha Ramamurthy and made everyone to seek the actual meaning of conflict and how to resolve it! Ms.Shanthini and Ms.Janani presented a paper and demanded participation. One student shared her experience of conflict and how she did resolved in her practical life by giving an umbrella to an old woman street vendor sitting under the hot sun in summer struggling for a shelter under the makeshift table. Pari vallal’s story of giving his chariot to a flower ( mullai ) creeper is also given a limelight to the audience on solving a conflit instantly without a second thought. Many other student volunteers of NSS shared their views.
A nice buffet lunch was served with sweets and each and everyone enjoyed it . Well served by the NSS Volunteers and Peace Boys.
In post lunch session Students who participated in the Peace education projects and NSS volunteers of Stella Maris College shared their experience before the proposed book release. Dr.S.K has asked the students to speak out but few only volunteered.
“ Saanthanai Chutri En Vandugalaai Moikkindranar?” - was released by Dr.S.Muthukumaran . In fact this is a re-release due to public demand. Dr.S.Muthukumaran shared one story of the book and how this book kindled the spirit of his daughter-in-law , who never read a book to take it away without his permission. Her action made Dr.S.M to ask for another book from Dr.S.K. to find what is there in the book that inspire people . After a reading he found the reason of his daughter-in-law’s action of taking the book from him. Dr.D.Lakshmi , Head of the Dept. of EEE in Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology,Chembarambakkam was supposed to receive the released copy and due to her delay in arrival an Advocate ( Excuse for missing his name ) received the first copy and shared a story in his own way . Another retired educationalist ( excuse again !)who did proof reading of the book on Dr.S.K’s request spoke fluently on Dr.S.K’s sacrifice of his whole life for spreading Gandhism among youngsters and that too for the economically weaker section of the society.
Dr.S.K’s daughter who is doing service for mentally challenged kids spoke about the dream plan of her institution started and requested for volunteers . Her smiling innocent face ,like her father ,attracted the gathering and moved everyone emotionally. NSS students assured their support by volunteering for the noble cause.
The last phase of the day started soon after the chief guest of the Prize Distribution , Ms.Menaka Parthasarathy arrived . She is closely related to Mr.G.Kasturi of ‘The Hindu “ family it seems. The prize winning kids were from Bangalore , Rajamundry , Dindukal and other places. The third prize was shared by two students.
Concluding remarks was given by Ms.Nirmala , NSS Director.Stella Maris College,Chennai , who initiated their college students to participate , to be the master of the ceremony by compering and conduct the whole day program so nicely .
With the Vote of Thanks by Ms.Shanthini and National Anthem the daylong celebration came to an end with a high tea served .Everyone who attended GPF on this day has taken at least a good message from the life of Mahatma , to practice in their own life and be a true citizen of our country .
Before I conclude a serious doubt was cleared to all that the title ”Mahatma” was given by Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chadra Bose referred Gandhiji as” Father of The Nation” .
Another gerat news - Mahatma Gandhiji's 'asthi' lies under the Thulasi Maadam in Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam , where Gandhi Peace Foundation functions.
