GSDS Programmes

Sanitary Napkin Production Unit Inaugurated at Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, Peeprakothi

On Aprill 9, 2018, Mr. Iftekhar Ahmado, District Education Officer, Motihari; Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS; Mr. Roopak Roy Choudhury, National Coordinator Sulabh School Sanitation Clubs; Mr. Shekhar Kumar Sinha, Mr. Rajkumar Sharma, DPO Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA); Headmistress of the Vidyalaya, Ms. Neeta Sharma; Smt. Sameeksha, Smt. Geeta Shukla, GSDS staff joined at a function to inaugurate the “Sanitary Napkin Production Unit” at Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, Peeprakothi.

The low-cost sanitary napkin production unit is also an endeavor of the Samiti in association with Sulabh International to address issues of menstrual health and hygiene. Girl students studying at the Vidyalaya will be trained in the production of the sanitary napkins.

Smt. Geeta Shukla, Research Officer, GSDS said, “To give a boost to the crucial issue of menstrual hygiene, this programme has been launched and a production center has been established. This will also give a boost to the women in the area who could get access to low-cost sanitary napkins and will not depend on the traditional systems”.

Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, said that the production unit will in time cater to supplying sanitary napkins to the different places where easy napkin vending machines have been set up. This will also provide the skill to the girls and make them empowered. “Life-skills based hygiene education helps children to change behavior and so reduce risks and prevent water and sanitation... Read More

Workshop on Health and Hand Hygiene

On April 7, 2018, at the Zila School Motihari, the Samiti took part in a workshop with teachers from different schools in the town sharing their experiences on health and hygiene. Trainers from Sulabh Sanitation Clubs led by Mr. Rupak and Ms. Samiksha; from GSDS, Dr. Manju Rani Aggarwal, Shri Rajdeep Pathak shared their thoughts about health and sanitation and its importance. Group exercises and games formed an integral part of the workshop where the staff of GSDS also actively participated.

Dr. Manju Aggarwal while speaking on the benefits of hand washing also demonstrated the hand washing techniques. It was time and again reiterated that water should be conserved and that minimum water should be used while washing hands.

As part of the setting up of the Sanitation Clubs, two students from six schools were chosen as ‘Student Leaders’ who were being trained to take up the awareness campaigns in other institutions in Motihari and other nearby places. These schools included: Sir Thomas Edison Public High School; Modern Public School; Kendriya Vidyalaya, Motihari; MJK (+2) Inter-College Vidyalaya; RUM School, Jakhara Colony and S J S Shantiniketan Jubilee School, Motihari.

Teachers from MS Memorial Public School, Balganga; Sir Thomas Edison Public High School; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Peeprakothi, and others also took part.

Group presentations from various groups generated new ideas where participation of the management, teachers, students... Read More

Champaran Satyagraha: 100 Years – Major Activities

The Samiti had initiated several activities in Champaran as part of the centenary celebrations beginning with a series of programmes in April 2017 which was graced by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh; the former vice-chairperson of GSDS and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Smt. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, senior Gandhians, academicians, social activists and grassroots workers from April 10-18, 2017 in Motihari.

That was the beginning of the commemoration of the centenary celebrations of the first satyagraha that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi undertook in the historic land of Champaran in the year 1917, his first victorious non-violent campaign.

In continuation of the commemoration celebration, the Samiti, while marking the finale of the commemorative celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha, organized a series of programmes in Motihari, Champaran from April 5 to April 17, 2018 onwards. Motihari was the place where Mahatma Gandhi had reached on April 10, 1917.

In view of this, Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan led the staff of GSDS in Motihari for initiation of several projects. The staff included: Smt. Geeta Shukla, Research Officer; Shri Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive; Shri Praveen Dutt Sharma, Editor, Publications; Shri Pankaj Chaubey, Assistant Editor, Publications; Shri Narendra Kumar, Asst Estate Manager, Shri Mahendra Singh Rawat, Shri Yatendra, Singh, Shri Rakesh Sharma, Shri Dharamraj Kumar, Shri Dharampal, Shri... Read More

Workshop on Constructive Programme of Mahatma Gandhi

The Samiti organized a “Workshop on Constructive Programme of Mahatma Gandhi” in association with Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation, at Bharatpur, Rajasthan that was attended by 145 participants from 25 villages. Experts from different areas took part in the workshop.

Speaking to the participants at the workshop, Shri Basant ji said that the model developed by Mahatma Gandhi for the development of the village is still relevant today. “For the development of the village industries, it is very necessary to upgrade them with the latest technology, so that the village industries could be saved from degeneration”, he said.

“The concept of Gram Swaraj as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi must be taken forward in the same direction and the GSDS should aim to take this forward to different streams of the society”.

Executive Director of Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation, Shri Sitaram Gupta said that while the 21st century has been termed as the century of unemployment, but this is not the case. He further said that Lupin Foundation has been working with the vision and principles of Mahatma Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj and have been encouraging and promoting traditional industries. The villagers are also being encouraged towards adopting cleanliness, encouraging young people for environmental conservation and other such issues”.

Other who spoke on the occasion included District Coordinator, Rajasthan Skill Building and Employment Development... Read More

Run for a Cause – Summer Quarter Marathon 3rd Edition 2018

The Samiti in association with Health Fitness Trust and Run for Life organized the “3rd Edition of the Summer Quarter Marathon 2018 – Run for a Cause” on May 6, 2018 at Gandhi Darshan. Almost 500 runners took part in the quarter marathon that was organized to raise awareness on various social issues. The event was led by Dr. Sunita Godara, Asian Marathon Champion 1992 and President Health Fitness Trust along with Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS.

In the senior category, the runners took part in the 21 km and 10 km race that was flagged off by Dr. Sunita Godara. Further, in the junior category, almost 75 runners took part in the 5 km race.
120 children from several schools, orphanages and specially challenged children took part in the poster making competition on “Gandhiji’s Philosophy.

Later, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan along with Dr. Sunita Godara gave away prizes from the GSDS to the participants that contained jute bag along with a book on Gandhiji’s childhood.

BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN

Know Yourself – An Orientation Programme for Youth

For Self-realization, Mahatma Gandhi once coined a path when he said: “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others”. With these understandings, a three-day camp, titled “Main Ki Khoj” was organized in Gandhi Darshan Samiti in collaboration with Gandhi Peace Foundation (GPF) from May 4-6, 2018. Several Gandhian thinkers and academicians such as Shri Annamallai, Shri Ramchandra Rahi, President Gandhi Smarak Nidhia; Shri Sanjay Damyantiji, Secretary Gandhi Smarak Nidhi; Shri Kumar Prashant, Chairperson GPF, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS, Smt Geeta Shukla, Research Officer, GSDS and others took part in the programme.

While addressing the participants, Shri Annamallai embarked on a discussion while pointing that Self has the pivotal role in the full-fledged development of the whole nation. He pointed that “If your mind is full then first empty it, then only it will be possible to enter new ideas within you and then only you will be able to think about the new ideas, the society and the country”.

Further, Shri Ramchandra Rahi spoke on the vicious role of Market, Monarchy and Development in playing a crucial role and changing the mindsets and beliefs and actions of the people. According to Shri Rahi, “The independence movement was a sacred thread of love and trust, but after independence there came a period in which we went into hatred, violence and untouchability, leaving us caught between these two differences”. He... Read More

Gender Training for Adolescent Girls

The Samiti in association with the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), organized a two-day training programme on “Gender Training for Adolescent Girls under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” was organized from June 27-28, 2018 in Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat. The participants included adolescent girls of age group from 14-20 years of age from slum communities and resettlement colonies of Kalyanpuri and Trilokpuri areas.

The training programme was the part of an action based research project namely "Creating an enabling environment for realizing aspirations of adolescent girls in an urban slum". The objective of this project was to explore and understand the resources and opportunities that adolescent girls belonging to underprivileged families need to support their aspirations for life skills, education and careers. It focuses on enhancing the personal, family and community resources and capacities to support adolescent girls in meeting their aspirations. It includes free of cost support in education including Life skill training and counseling.

During the training, girls were made aware of gender-based discriminations in the society and trained to how to deal effectively with such issues. Also, the attempt was to make girls rethink their learned practices and socialization and make responsible decisions.

The girls were motivated to come forward together to form a better society and support each other. With the belief that such training enhances the self-... Read More

Seminar on Gram Shilpi: Empowerment of Rural Women

As part of the Gandhi Exchange Programme (GEP), the Samiti organized a seminar on “Gram Shilpi: Empowerment of Rural Women” in Gandhi Darshan on June 11, 2018. The objective was to give an insight to different facets of the life of Mahatma Gandhi. 30 Participants from Vijapur Taluka of Gujarat state, from the Gujarat Vidyapeeth, took part. The visit was also the part of ‘Gram Shilpi Programme’ of Gujarat University. Shri Jaydeep was the coordinator in behalf of the concerned University.

The seminar began with the orientation given by Ms. Geeta Shukla (Research Officer, GSDS), on the background and the activities of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. She began her session by enthralling the interest of visitors with her utmost understanding of the journey of “Mohandas to Mahatma” while keeping the context of Sarvodaya (the universal Uplift or progress of all). She expounded the way the Father of the Nation attained his wisdom and set his gospel about the truth. Ms Shukla further apprised on the stories such as how the act of Raja Harish Chandra inspired Gandhiji to walk his life through the truth, what made him to pledge for living his whole life as Vegetarian, etc.

Ms. Smita Vats founder Director of ITIHAAS gave a consolidated understanding of life of Mahatma. She explained how the presence of two ladies namely Smt Putlibai Gandhi and Smt. Kasturba Gandhi changed and disciplined the way Gandhiji explored the way of life. Like, from his mother, he learned the... Read More

Improving Livelihood Opportunities of Tribal Women for Economic Prosperity

The Samiti organized a seminar on “Empowerment of Tribal Women by improved livelihood options through value-addition of Mahuwa Flower” jointly with the Hodopathy Ethno (Medicine Doctor’s Association of India, Ranchi, Jharkhand) and Torang Trust at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat on April 27, 2018. Almost 40 participants took part in the seminar.

The seminar was attended by Dr.Vedabhyas Kundu (Programme Officer, GSDS); Ms Geeta Shukla (Research Officer, GSDS), Dr. Vasavi Kiro (Ex-member, Jharkhand State Commission for Women), Dr. P. P.Hembrom (American Awardee, best ethnobotanists on indigenous system of medicine), Dr. Anil K. Goel (former Scientist) and the Adivasis, especially the collectors of Mahua flowers who are using Mahua for different purposes. Activists proactively working for awareness related to Mahua and even teachers from different schools of Jharkhand who are working on deepening the roots of cultural values of Mahua amongst students with the focus on teaching the student about the malpractices of Mahua took part.

The aim of the seminar was to discuss the ongoing malpractices related to Mahua and ways to evolve understanding about the advantages of using Mahua as medicine and other products such as sweets, pickles, jelly, etc, which in turn, will empower the tribal communities.

Smt. Geeta Shukla speaking at the inauguration of the seminar introduced GSDS to the participants. While speaking in the seminar, she said that we have been living... Read More

Summer School on 'India of My Dreams' Organised

Gandhi Bhawan, the University of Delhi in collaboration with the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, July 19 2018, successfully concluded the Summer School on 'India of My Dreams' – a book by M. K. Gandhi. The summer school began on July 9, 2018.

In the inaugural session on July 9, 2018, Prof. Ramesh C. Bharadwaj, Director (Hony.), Gandhi Bhawan, University of Delhi, at the onset, delivered the welcome speech and honoured the Chief Guest, Dr. Bajrang Gupta, an eminent Gandhian thinker and Prof. H. C. Pokhriyal, Executive Director, School of Open Learning, University of Delhi who chaired the session before giving the details of the Summer School.

Throughout the duration, resource persons from vast fields were invited to deliver lectures/ discussions/ talks in the context of ‘India of My Dreams’ – with selected topics such as:

Economic Thoughts, Education and Culture,
Swadeshi, Gramswaraj, Women
Regeneration Youth & Society,
Nationalism and Socialism,
Swachagraha and Social Justice.

Among others, Dr. Atul Kothari, Educationist; Dr. Pramod Kumar, Journalist; Dr. Ashwini Mahajan, Shri Ram Chandra Rahi, President, Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Rajghat, New Delhi; Dr. Mohan Chand, Journalist; Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International Social Service Organisation; Shri Kumar Prashant, President, Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi; Dr. Ravinder Agarwal, Journalist and Dr. Pawan Sinha, Moti... Read More

Dhanak Rang Tarang Summer Workshop Enhances Children’s Creativity

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) and Jamghat (a group of street Children) jointly organized a Dhanak Rang Tarang Summer Workshop for street children was organized from June 11-30, 2018 in Gandhi Darshan. 21 street children from different areas of the capital city participated in the Workshop. Ms. Neha Garg, Ms. Himanshi, Ms. Sunita Bhatt, Ms. Shipra Rai and Mr. Anita Mahato were the facilitators.

The aim of the workshop was to develop values of democracy, peace, compassion, non-violence, Inclusive development, team building and nature education amongst participants.

The workshop included group activities such as ice breaking sessions to grab each child's attention and to encounter children’s hidden talent ; using a prop to hone Imaginative skills; played games as to connect them with real-life problems and persuaded to give the suggestions; tasks to channelize their anger in a positive direction without destruction or harm to others.

Discussions on Gandhian Values such as Truth, Violence, Ahimsa, Cooperation, Unity and Self Rule linking took place during the workshop. Further, nature walk around the nearby areas was organized and their learners were asked to observe and identify the different artifacts displayed and by using their senses (touch, sight, hearing) they were asked to analyze the elements of nature.

Further, the participants visited Gandhi Samadhi Rajghat, Gandhi Darshan museum and Gandhi Smriti, to familiarize children... Read More

Understanding Gandhi Through the Eyes of Children – An Interactive Session with ITIHAAS

The interactive session with students from ITIHAAS (Indian Traditions Heritage Society) who are on a summer project to understand the life's message and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi by visiting various Gandhian Institutions and writing their reports based on the information they receive, took place in Gandhi Darshan on May 23, 2018.

Led by Smita Vats, Founder Director of Itihaas, the students shared their experiences of taking part in the internship programme at National Gandhi Museum. They felt that their visit to Gandhi Darshan museums has enriched their understanding of the journey of Mohandas to Mahatma. They felt elated.

Speaking to them from GSDS was Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan who spoke of many qualities of Gandhiji. Sharing personal anecdotes from his life that evolved him into seeking for truth through the means of service to mankind he asked the students to imbibe honesty and courage in their life.

Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also led the students into a game of “Knowing Yourself” developed by H.H. the Dalai Lama which the students enjoyed thoroughly.

Shri Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive, GSDS while sharing information about the activities of the Samiti, asked the students to also visit Gandhi Smriti. He further asked if the children could establish Moniya clubs in schools that could become a hub of student-led creative activities. He further advised the students to develop in them the concept of giving back something to the society... Read More

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