Gandhi Jayanthi Celebrations / International Day of Non-violence 2013
We all celebrate Gandhi Jayanthi in India. But how significantly we do it is important. It is a declared holiday for all institutions , establishments and government offices. Taking this as a chance to increase the TRP , all the TV channels compete each other by telecasting popular movies , music programs , dance and of course few channel with some debate with stalwart peoples in that line. So nobody goes out of their house and stick to their sofa or chair , totally relaxed with TV remote in their hands, which often changes hands for a quick viewing of scrolling other channels programs. Someone who likes non-vegetarian foods, it is a chance to sit and have their favorite NV food at home, as throughout the week they would have had pure vegetarian food at office. This is the way many celebrate Gandhi jayanthi.
But many non-government organizations , philanthropists , social organizations celebrate Gandhi jayanthi by conducting, prayer meetings , symposium , workshop on Gandhian values and so on. Leave alone the politicians who garland Gandhi statue by visiting nearest statue with a group of their party men and flew off in minutes! We respect them as we only elected them.
I found a rare specimen , a personality , who devoted his entire life from his college days to till date and continues with full enthusiasm for the past 40 plus years. He is none other than Dr.S.Kulandaisamy. He is the Secretary of Gandhi Peace Foundation Madras and Dr.C.Shenbagavalli , Joint Secretary jointly spreading Mahatma’s messages , principles and philosophy , in their own way , so that it reaches the younger generation , whom are going to be our future leaders. It is difficult to bring it in a nut shell , all the services of Dr.Kulandaisamy because it is a forty years true story. Unless we meet him in person and talk with him, then only we can understand fully.
I am so lucky to meet Dr.SK few years back on a Gandhi jayanthi day and I could recollect my old time association with him , about 40 years back . We were student participants under a same banner – Madras Students Gandhi forum . Our mentor was Mr.V.R.Radhakrishnan, a freedom fighter, a close associate of Mr.Jayaprakash Narayan, Tamra Patra awardee. I wrote about him in my earlier blogs but wish to write again because of the respect I still give to that great person.
My last year’s blog on Gandhi jayanthi celebrations of Gandhi Peace Foundation can be viewed by clicking the link below : http://chander-memorylane.blogspot.in/2012/10/a-special-day-at-gandhi-peace.html
On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."
This year the celebration was in a different way by inviting people who still practice the Gandhian values in their life and they shared their experiences to the audience , mostly young college students from Stella Maris , Bharati Womens , SIET college for women and SRM Vivekananda , Christian colleges for men.
Prayer by Bharathi Women’s College atarted by 10 am followed by Dr.KS’s welcome address.
The following persons spoke on “Gandhian Values “ in different perspective.
Dr.K.Ramasamy, Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Chennai, gave the presidential address .
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| Dr.K.Ramasamy |
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| Dr.P.Krishnamurthi |
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| Dr.A.Thirunavukkarasu |
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| Sri.R.Poornachandran |
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| Dr.M.Sriramachandran |
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| Mr.K.Nageshwara rao |
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| Book release by Dr.S.Muthukumaran |
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| Dr.S.Kulandaisamy -Welcome address |
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| A senior citizen,by profession a doctor sharing her early days in village service |
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| Dr.C.Shenbagavalli |
“Gandhian Values for Man –making Education” was addressed by Dr.P.Krishnamurthi, Asst. Proffesor, Vinayag College of Education, Chennai.Mr.M.Sriramachandran talked on Gandhian Values for Religious Harmony.
Dr.A.Thirunavukkarasu , Principal , Cholan College of Education, strongly put his point on “ Gandhian values for Sarvodaya – Economics”.
“Gandhian Values for Decentralized governance “ topic was well spoken by Sri.R.Poornachandran, Principal, V.G.N. Matriculation Hr.Sec.School, Arakonam.
Ms.V.Ragamai , of Dot Net Developer, Rajahmundry stressed the “Gandhian Values for Youth Empowerment”
Simple concluding remarks was given by Mr.K.Nageshwara Rao, Dean ( Academics ) , Narayana E-Tecno Schools Bangalore.
Book release of a tiny book titled “ Sikkal Theervu Kalai “ written by Dr.KS was gracefully released by Dr.S.Muthukumaran, Former Vice Chancellor, Bhartidasan university and received by an NSS volunteer of Stella Maris College, Ms.Shanthini. She was an award winner for her best role in NSS activities last year in her college.
Ms.Padma Venkataraman (daughter of our past President Mr.R.Venkatarama), Director, Leprosy Rehabilitation Project released a book “ Enakkul Amaidhiyai theduven “ being a part of the Bharathi Women’s College students intern activities at Gandhi Peace Foundation.
A senior citizen , who accompanied her daughter , volunteered to attend this function and shred her experience during her service as a doctor in villages .
Dr.C.Shenbagavalli shared a few words to close the ceremony by a vote of thanks.
The three hour program went off well on time with Gandhian punctuality and a lunch was served to all the august gathering.
I am eagerly waiting for the next year Gandhi jayanthi, so that I too will plan and participate with Dr.KS to celebrate in a big way, with more participants, more program to create the awareness on Gandhian values among our family , friends and public.
In the mean time I would like to inform that GPF is now looking for creating a Corpus Fund for their activity and anyone who is ready to contribute for this noble cause may please contact me for directions to GPF.
Before closing I wish to share one more news on October 2nd and it’s importance. Today is the birthday of our late Prime Minister , Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri and memorial day of Late Chief Minister of Tamilnadu , Sri K.Kamaraj.
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."
“Non-Violence,” a sculpture by Karl Fredrik Reutersward, sits permanently outside UN Headquarters in New York.
2 October 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on people all over the world to have the courage to turn their backs on violence and stand up for peace and justice, marking the International Day of Non-Violence.
“I call on global citizens everywhere to be inspired by the courage of people like Mahatma Gandhi. Turn your back to division and hatred; stand up for what is right and just. Work with your fellow women and men for a world of lasting justice, peace and prosperity for all,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day.
Let us not be cruel to animals. Killing animals is also a violence. Let us practice vegetarianism as God has created animals to live in nature and not as a food for us. Be truthful to all, live a simple life, let us not be violent on anyone. Respect our own and other religions. At last let us “ Be The Change What We Wish To See in Others “
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