Ministry of Culture organised a webinar on "Equip Yourself for the COVID 19 Era" in collaboration with Isha Foundation on June 2, 2021. GSDS staff attended the webinar. The webinar started in guidance of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudevji, a multi-facet personality famous world-wide for its Isha Foundation dedicated to raising human consciousness and fosters global harmony through individual transformation. Sadhguruji explain about the importance of yoga and its benefits and later explained the Simha Kriya in detail. Simha Kriya, a simple but powerful yogic practice to improve immunity, strengthens the respiratory system and enhances lung capacity. A volunteer from Isha foundation demonstrated the kriya. Ms. Mahima Chopra from Isha Foundation also explained about the Simha Kriya, Sashtanga Makarasana, do & don’ts while following the kriya.

भारत के माननीय राष्ट्रपति श्री राम नाथ कोविंद ने 7 मार्च, 2021 को बेलाताल दमोह में महात्मा गांधी, राम मनोहर लोहिया और पंडित दीन दयाल उपाध्याय की कांस्य प्रतिमाओं का वस्तुतः उद्घाटन किया। प्रतिमाओं को प्रख्यात मूर्तिकार पद्मश्री श्री राम सुतार द्वारा गाँधी स्मृति एवं दर्शन समिति के सहयोग से बनाया है। माननीय राष्ट्रपति ने मध्यप्रदेश में दमोह जिले के सिंगोरगढ़ किले में संरक्षण कार्यों का भी उद्घाटन किया और मध्य प्रदेश में दमोह जिले के सिंगरमपुर गांव में सिंगोरगढ़ किले के संरक्षण कार्यों की आधारशिला रखी. माननीय राष्ट्रपति ने राज्य स्तरीय आदिवासी सम्मेलन को भी संबोधित किया। कार्यक्रम का आयोजन संस्कृति मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार और मध्य प्रदेश के जनजातीय कार्य विभाग द्वारा किया गया था। राष्ट्रपति ने गांव सिंगरमपुर में रानी दुर्गावती की प्रतिमा पर पुष्पांजलि अर्पित की.

8 फरवरी, 2021
अन्य बातों के साथ बातचीत के दौरान उन्होंने कहा कि "मुकदमा इस बारे में है कि कौन सही है जबकि मध्यस्थता इस बारे में है कि क्या सही है। मध्यस्थता जीवन का एक तरीका है। यह मानव-मानव संबंध के बारे में है और इसलिए मूल्यांकन को हतोत्साहित करता है। मध्यस्थता का उद्देश्य मुद्दों के पीछे अंतर्निहित हितों का पता लगाना है

202 participants from Trinity Institute of Professional Studies (TIPS), New Delhi took part in a workshop on “Healing yourself through nonviolent communication during the pandemic” organised on May 28, 2021 by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti that was conducted by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer. The programme was moderated by a student of the institute, Ms. Anuksha Tiwari.
Delivering the Webinar lecture, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) discussed the different elements of nonviolent communication and how these could be used in relationship management during these times of lockdown. The session talked about the stress on relationship management and friction in families due to lockdown. It stated Gandhian Pillars of nonviolence- mutual respect, understanding, acceptance, appreciation and compassion. He said, “Communication is a reflection of the inner workings of our mind and we need to cultivate that every time”.
Another aspect discussed in the webinar was self-introspection, that how people are running after the materialistic gains and luxurious life. People should find this crisis as an opportunity to encourage themselves for their intrapersonal communication. They must reinvent themselves and should try to unearth their hidden talents. This is a stage when one must widen their emotional vocabulary. Inappropriate use of language and words can contribute to conflicts and chaos.
In addition, he... Read More

A one-day workshop on “Positivity Unlimited – Unlocking Creativity Around Us” was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi in collaboration with “Nirbaak” in Guwahati Assam in May 23, 2021. The workshop was attended by around 100 participants from different parts of Assam and New Delhi. Shri Minangka Deka, eminent artist and founder of Nirbaak welcomed the gathering.
Beginning the workshop, Shri Gulshan Gupta, North East Coordinator focused on the three Ps – Positivity, Performance and Punctuality and advised the children to keep a positive approach.
The next speaker, Ms. Liza Hazarika, a Psychologist and Spiritual Therapist focused on how negative emotions also play a significant role in discovering the value and importance of positive emotions.
Mr. Rituparna, Library Educator in his talk focused on the importance of book reading among the children. He said that books are able to sprout new ideas. “A book is a friend, always by your side, through happy and sad times”, he said.
Ms. Anisha Kanwar, Counselling Psychologist and Therapist, highlighted on the importance of creativity and artistic approach as a tool to create a positive mindset. “Art increases observation skills and motor-skills (eye-hand coordination) that help in gaining confidence for, one is able to create one’s imagination into a real world. This not only helps to develop the language skills, but enhance creativity in a big way”, she said.
Smt. Kavita Sarma... Read More

Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti administered the pledge on Anti-Terrorism Day to the GSDS staff members on May 21, 2021. GSDS staff joined virtually and read out the pledge on the occasion.
Every year, May 21, is observed as ‘Anti-Terrorism’ Day with the objective to wean away the youth from terrorism and the cult of violence by highlighting the sufferings of common people and showing as how it is prejudicial to the national interest.
The pledge read: “We the people of India, having abiding faith in our country’s tradition of non-violence and tolerance, hereby solemnly affirm to oppose with our strength, all forms of terrorism and violence. We pledge to uphold and promote peace, social harmony, and understanding among all fellow human beings and fight the forces of disruption threatening human lives and values”.

We should have physical distancing and not social distancing: Salony Priya
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised an E-workshop on “Mental Health Proactivity during Pandemic” on May 17, 2021. Dr. Salony Priya, Director Ummed Counselling and Consulting Services and Consultant, Centre for Cultural Research and Training (CCRT) New Delhi conducted the workshop that was attended by almost 123 participants.
During the workshop she spoke about wellness, stress management and life style changes and said that “Fear, worry and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown”, so it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought drastic and dramatic changes into our lives”.
This she said was because of the uncertainties of unemployment, job loss, home schooling of children and lack of physical contact with our family members, friends and colleagues, for which it is important that we “Look after our mental, as well as our physical health”.
Going in detail of the necessity of good mental health, which she said needs an “Investment”, Ms. Salony Priya said that “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being and affects how we think, feel and act”, for which she stressed on what she termed as “The need of the hour for physical distancing and not social distancing”.
She further... Read More

Hon’ble Union Minster of State for Culture and Tourism and Vice-Chairman Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Shri Pahlad Singh Patel launched the online portal “Covid Seva”, covidseva.gandhismriti.gov.in, a digital initiative by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, to ensure respite to people during the Covid Pandemic.
GSDS had decided to create a dashboard with help of its old partner Mr Manish and his team in M/s Bhuma Infotech and Mr Sachhidanand Swamy from M/s Invoxel. The dashboard is for providing information on: 1) Oxygen Supply; 2) Hospitalization; 3) Ambulance; 4) Food; and 5) Plasma Donation to the needy.
Several groups of GSDS staffs have been formed who are engaged in collection of data, verification of data and dissemination of information in the Dashboard and to the needy who are directly sending their requirement to the GSDS.
Mr Rohitasv Singh (HR Hero MotoCorp), Ms Richa (Operations Head and HR at Excelsoft); Mr. Dharam Rakshit (Head HR for Hermoto); Mr. Ajay Prasad (HR Professional), Mr. Hardayal Khushwaha, (founder, Bargad, NGO); Mr Pawan Jha (freelancer), and others have extended support to GSDS voluntarily.
Besides, 65 volunteers are working in the helpline and with the verification process. Six supervisors are re-verifying data before uploading. Ten computer experts are working on other different issues.
On the GSDS user-friendly dashboard, http://covidseva.gandhismriti.... Read More

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised the seventh e-dialogue on “Mediation” with the Nigerian expert mediator Mr. Chijioke Nnanna Ibeku on April 22, 2021. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS coordinated the interactive dialogue. Speaking at the dialogue, Mr. Ibeku focussed Mediation is constructive process. It involves change in mindsets. There has to be community mediation, where the mediator must ensure that the dispute or differences does not escalate beyond the normal. There is a need to create ‘Community Peace Ambassadors’ whose prime role would be to resolve conflicts in communities.

GSDS Programme Officer, Dr Vedabhyas Kundu introduced the Gandhian model of Nonviolent Communication to counter the menace of Hate Speech on April 16, 2021. Prof. Juan Pedro Universidad Complutenses de Madrid, Spain moderated the discussion at the E-Dialogue on Countering Hate Speech through Nonviolent Communication in association with Universidad Complutenses de Madrid, Spain which was second in the series of discussions that GSDS is organizing both at the national and international level.

Gandhi Study Circle, Miranda House of University of Delhi and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti jointly organised an on-line orientation programme and certificate course on “Non-Violent Communication” on April 30, 2021. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS conducted the interactive training programme. He applauded the efforts of the Gandhi Study Circle of Miranda House for their proactive role in providing aid to COVID 19 patients/attendants.
During the training programme, Dr. Vedabhyas outlined the powerful tool of non-violent communication (NVC) in resolving disputes and conflicts. Talking about compassion and appreciation, he said that NVC helps connect and engage with not only oneself, but their families, friends and the society. He also outlined the basic pillar of Gandhian NVC such as mutual respect, understanding, and acceptance and further necessitated the need for avoiding stereotypes, use of appropriate language, not being judgemental and most importantly developing the power of empathy.

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Delhi International School Edge (DISE), Dwarka, Delhi organised an orientation workshop on “Peer Mediation” on April 29, 2021. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS conducted the interactive workshop with almost 77 participants. Shri Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive, GSDS moderated the session.
Sh. Abhishek Tiwari and Ms. Himanshi Sharma students of the school led the interaction by presenting several situations which called for applying various techniques for resolving disputes, arguments amongst friends and family. They shared their own experiences during the workshop, which Dr. Vedabhyas correlated with different model, techniques and processes of mediation and conflict resolution. Ms. Anubhuti Tripathi, a teacher of the school also spoke and interacted and shared her experiences.
Dr. Vedabhyas spoke about skills such as trust; ‘active listening’, ‘patience’’; ‘compassion’; ‘impartiality’; ‘helping attitude’; ‘collaborative and cooperative’ approach and said that these are the skills that one can harness well to be a good mediator. He said that a mediator has to have a reconciliatory approach and have to respect both the parties.
Earlier, Ms. Anubha Srivastava, Principal of DISE said that “Our life styles have to be redefined and mediators could help become a bridge between two parties in resolving their differences”.

In order to act as a bridge between the patients/attendants and different service providers, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti started a WhatsApp helpline for verified information on oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, food for patients, vaccination and medicines for COVID-19. This was set up on April 28, 2021. Volunteer team members from IT have also joined this cause and are extending support to the Samiti in this noble cause for humanity. The verified data for different resources will attempt to address issues of people across the society. A dashboard is also being developed in this direction. Teams have been formed under the supervision of Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan who are carrying out their work.

A meeting was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) with the officials and staff of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre-2 on April 24, 2021 to discuss on the forthcoming GSDS-IGNOU lecture series that is being initiated as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav.
During the meeting it was discussed on the different areas and subjects on which the lecture would be organised. A presentation was also made by Shri Gulshan on the suggested topics that could form part of the lecture series.
Going by the present pandemic and people who are under mental stress, it was agreed upon to launch the lecture series with Human Interconnectedness and Happiness as the first subject.

A planning meeting on developing a certificate course on “Community Mediation” was organised by GSDS chaired by Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS on April 12, 2021 with the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) to develop a course on ‘Community Mediation’. The aim is to conduct a series of dialogue on ‘Mediation’ with NUSRL, besides organising regular e-workshops. The Vice-Chancellor of NUSRL, Prof. Kesava Rao took part in the discussion. Faculty members of NUSRL and GSDS officials took part in the meeting.

Reputation of teachers in villages still exists: Dipanker Shri Gyan
As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav’, the Samiti initiated a dialogue on different aspects of ‘Mediation’ and the ‘Role of Mediation in making Villages Dispute Free’. In his endeavour, a webinar was organised with the teachers of Rajkiya Buniyadi Vidyalaya, Brindavan Ashram, West Champaran on April 10, 2021 on “Making villages dispute free for peaceful development of village”. The webinar was moderated by Shri Rajdeep Pathak.
Initiating the discussion, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan mentioned that for any development, peace and solidarity is necessary. More than anything else, it is equanimity or sameness that is essential for development to take place.
Citing many examples of where conflict or disputes can hinder development, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan based his thoughts on his personal experiences of almost twenty two years’ working closely with various administration machineries in different areas of the government both at the centre and the states. He said that unless there is one thought, one common ground and unanimous decision, development cannot take place, but said that even if there some dispute arises, the people of the village, instead of stretching it further, must sit with the administration and point the lacunae for its rectification.
“Sometimes petty issues which may take the shape of serious consequences can and should be sorted out by... Read More

As part of the celebrations to mark the 91st anniversary of the historic Dandi March and the 75 years of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav, GSDS in association with Rajkiya Buniyadi Vidyalaya Brindaban School at West Champaran organised a seminar on “Satyagraha and Swaraj” on March 12, 2021 at Brindaban, Champaran, Bihar. Shri Sanjay Jaiswal, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Bihar and Hon'ble Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly Shri Umakant Singh were the distinguished guests on the occasion. Teachers and students of the school that was established by Mahatma Gandhi took part in the programme very enthusiastically.
A padyatra was also taken out by the teachers and students of the school to Bapu Kutir. Shri Sanjay Jaiswal and Shri Umakant Singh led the yatra.

Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind virtually inaugurated the bronze statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya at Belatal Damoh on March 7, 2021. The statues have been sculpted by eminent sculptor Padmashri Shri Ram Sutar and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti initiated the making of the statues and their installation too.
The hon’ble President also inaugurated the conservation works at Singorgarh Fort in Damoh district at Madhya Pradesh, and laid the foundation stone for the conservation works of Singorgarh Fort in Singrampur village of Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh. He further inaugurated the newly carved Jabalpur Circle of Archaeological Survey of India. Hon’ble Madhya Pradesh Governor Her Excellency Smt Anandi Ben Patel, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Vice-Chairperson GSDS, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Minister of State for Steel Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Tribal Affairs Department Shri Meena Singh Mandwe and Minister for Urban Development and Housing Department Shri Bhupendra Singh were also present on this occasion.
The hon’ble President also addressed the State Level Tribal Conference at Singrampur village in Damoh. The program was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and the Tribal Affairs Department of Madhya Pradesh. Shri Ram Nath Kovind also paid floral tributes at the statue... Read More

Mediation is a process of negotiation which includes a third party. This third party could be a professional mediator, it could be another person, it could be a group of people or even an institution which is involved in such a dispute. Mediation can happen both at personal level as well as institutional level. This way is shaped by one’s own philosophy, educational background and how one has been formed into a mediator. In order to be a mediator, one needs to let go of many unwanted things in this process.
Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised a five-part series of “Dialogue on Mediation” with both national and international experts. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS and Ms. Mansi Sharma from Punjab University took part in the discussion and also moderated the session.
• Series I – Specialist in Alternative Mechanisms for Conflict Resolution from Peru, Mr. Gustavo Anay Centeno and TEDx Speaker and expert on Peace and Conflict Studies, Ms. Elizabeth Katherine Gararra from Japan were the speakers on February 6, 2021.
Sharing their perspectives, Gustavo said: “As a specialist in the field of mediation I have travelled to different parts of Latin America and I have observed that in order to mediate you don’t necessarily need to be a lawyer or be within the legal field”, adding, “Mediators are the middle part and with active listening they can really get to understand people’s needs at much deeper level. A good mediator is one that really... Read More

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti joined hands with Gandhi Global Foundation in felicitating Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kailash Madbaiya on February 27, 2021 in Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat. Shri Gulshan Gupta, North East Coordinator of GSDS felicitated Dr. Kailash Madbaiya at a ceremony in which General Secretary of Gandhi Global Foundation Shri Hardayal Kushwaha, senior journalist Mahendra Yadav and others were also present.
Speakers at the function while speaking of Dr. Kailash Madbaiya mentioned on how he had revived Bundeli literature despite all his administrative engagements, which they felt is incomparable, and an inspiration to lovers of Hindi dialects.
A tree plantation programme was also organised on the occasion where Mr. Madbaiya planted a tree in the memory of the freedom fighters Chandrashekhar Azad and Sant Ravidas ji.
Among others who were present on the occasion included: social worker and convenor of Bundelkhand Development Council Shri Adish Kumar Jain, Director of the program convenors Shri Rashid Ahmad Mansuri, Shri Sandeep Mandwagadhi and Shri Rahul Singh. Pali Culture Foundation President Narottam Ranariddh Kushwaha was also present.

GSDS observed the 77th death anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi on February 22, 2021 in association with Tihar Prisons CJ-4 and Inner Wheel Club of Delhi Achievers involving inmates who paid tributes to luminaries of the freedom struggle – Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhawe through their paintings. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Manju Aggarwal at CJ-4. 48 inmates from CJ-4 School of Arts took part in the programme.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) , SRCASW, a flagship program of MHRD and departments of English and Biochemistry in association with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti is organizing 'MUDITA' - Workshop on ‘Peer Mediation: An Approach to Constructive Dispute Resolution on February 18, 2021. The main objective of this dialogue was to develop meditation capabilities amongst young people and ensure harmonious transformation of relationships. The eminent speakers of the workshop included: Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS; Mr. Gulshan Gupta, North-east Coordinator, GSDS.
Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu during his interaction asked them about the conflicts they face and how they resolved them. Then he explained the importance of peer mediation and how to effectively be a peer mediator. He also discussed the qualities that are necessary for a peer mediator. He very beautifully linked non-violence and peer mediation.
Mr. Gulshan Gupta in his presentation said that mediation is also only possible when the other parties want to mediate. Also, he explained how one can help when situations are such that one cannot act as a mediator due to age differences like between children and parents. He also said that sometimes we need to give the parties time and space to sort things out instead of actively resolving.

GSDS in association with team of doctors from UPHC Daryaganj organised a health awareness camp at Rajghat Bus Depot No 1, Rajghat for the DTC mechanics. 51 RTPCR tests were conducted on February 3, 2021. Dr. Manju Aggarwal coordinated this event on behalf of GSDS.

14. The fifth international e-dialogue on “Revisiting Gandhian Ethics in Contemporary Era” was organised by GSDS on January 18, 2021. Speakers at the dialogue included: Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti who delivered the welcome address; Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, former Vice-Chairperson GSDS who delivered the special address and Dr. Vidya Jain, Convener, Nonviolence Commission, International Peace Research Association (IPRA). Prof. Lester R. Kurtz, Professor of Public Sociology at George Mason University, U.S.A delivered the key note address. The session also saw two young speakers – Ms. Yen Phoebe Mok Hsin from Soka University, Japan and Shri Vidur Bharatram, Photographer and Film Maker share their perspectives. Dr. N Radhakrishnan, Gandhian thinker, peace-activist, educator and author and Former Director, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti chaired the session.
In his key note address, Prof. Lester Kurtz, speaking on Gandhian Ethics: A Sociological Perspective, points out at the ethical paradoxes or opposites. For example, Gandhi was a warrior for justice, pacifist and non-violent activist. He brought ‘Cultural Revolution’ through nonviolent constructive work. Some of the interesting paradoxes drawn by Mr. Kurtz include the dimensions of warrior-pacifist, spiritual-material, traditional-modern, rights-duties, individual-collective, ethics-economics, theory-practice, means-ends and resist and construct. He points out that Gandhi’... Read More