“Technology has entered society like a parasite and is a threat to humanity in several ways,” said senior BJP leader Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi at the Prabhash Prasang in Gandhi Darshan on July 15, 2018. Speaking on the 81st birth anniversary celebration of late journalist Shri Prabhash Joshi, Dr. Joshi said that with advancement in technology, humans are getting trapped in computers.

“Technology has entered our lives so much that we cannot get rid of it no matter how much we try. Technology is very magical. We are going into space, finding life on other planets, progressing in medicine, artificial intelligence etc.

"Question arises that on one hand we are going towards these things but we humans are also getting closed in a computer. Technology is like the parasite," he said.

While addressing a large gathering of over 400 people that included journalists, academicians, writers, authors, poets, scholars, people from the media fraternity, Dr. Joshi’s while speaking about “Technology and Democracy” threw light on the misuse of information and companies making money out of this data.

He also referred to Aadhaar being the newest form of data collection.
"It is a world of data. A company pays billions to get data about people. In elections earlier, people used to visit households and talk. Now everything is on mobile. Experts are consulted before speaking in a particular area as they have the data of the people there.

“Aadhaar is the... Read More

A day-long seminar on “Give Nonviolence a Chance” was organized by Gandhi Peace Mission, Kerala in association with GSDS and Mygov.in on May 3, 2018 at Gandhi Darshan Rajghat. Many eminent Gandhians, academicians, professors, scholars and intellectuals took part in this seminar.

Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, in his keynote address, specified the need of this discussion. He mentioned that there is a basic difference between animals and human beings. He said that conflict is a nature of ‘jungle’. But in today’s society crime and conflict is increasing day by day among and between human beings. Perhaps it is happening because jungle or forests are decreasing every day and we are converting and developing forest land into the residence, that’s why jungle nature is emerging in human society and animals are becoming pet animals.

“Developed nations have initiated towards nonviolent conflict resolution and the change is seen when heads of two Korean nations cross the border together. The same tradition should be followed in each and every street and corner of the society so that we could move towards a nonviolent society and peaceful life”, he said.

Kumar Shekhar Chancellor of Shobhit University who also moderated the discussion, emphasized to not to make Gandhi a God. ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ as Mahatma Gandhi had said. Nonviolence must start from us. Making strict laws is not a way to nonviolence. “Nonviolence doesn’t only... Read More

A three-day educational Utsav “GYANOTSAV 2075”, was organized in Gandhi Darshan by Shiksha Sanskriti Uthan Nyas from April 6-8, 2018. The chief guest of this congregation was Shri Mohan Bhagwatji, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Other dignitaries such as Hon’ble Dinanath Batra, Convenor, Hon’ble Atul Kothari, Co-Convenor, “Shiksha Sanskriti Uthan Nyas”, Sh. Iswar Dayal Kansal, Coordinator Gyanotsav 2075, Sh. Arun Bhardwaj, Convenor, Bhartiye Bhasha Abhiyan, Sh. Prasarita Varma, Convenor, Orrisa & Bengal and others were present on the occasion. 60 schools and universities from 12 states of the country took part in the three-day programme.

In the first session, the heads of the respective School or University came together and took part in a thoughtful session. In this session, discussions were based on the contemporary educational practices in India along with the concern for respect to moral values, environment and character building in education was taken up.

Apart from this, an exhibition was organized which was inaugurated by the Shri Mohan Bhagwat Ji, in which educational institutions from all over the country have demonstrated innovations and innovative experiments in education.

In this session, Mr. Mahesh Sharma ji (Minister of State Independent Charge) Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in his address said: “I have full faith that the gap between education and culture would be reduced through this event and the goal of... Read More

• Number of School Participation: 170
• Number of Students participation: 68,000+
• Number of Students Participation in competition: 17000+

• Orientation workshop for School Principals at National Institute of Technology, Agartala
  • Schools were invited to participate with the support of Directorate of Secondary Education, Government of Tripura and National Institute of Technology, Agartala.
  • 170 participating school principals came for orientation workshop.
  • The workshop was aimed to encourage the principals to participate in the initiative, form cultural clubs in their schools and then engage students through these cultural clubs.

Dignitaries included Shri Ravindra Sathe, Director General RMP; Mr. Priyank Kanoongo, Member RTE & Education NCPCR; Dr. Sunita Changkakati, Chairperson, Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR).

Inspired by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal to the nation to commit themselves to the eradication of dirt, poverty, communalism, casteism, corruption and terrorism, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) in collaboration with GSDS organised Sankalp Se Siddhi initiative across the North East India with an aim to encourage schools staff and their students towards this nation-building initiative.

To ensure proper participation of schools and their students, RMP brought on board the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Various state education departments and respective state SCPCR.

As part of the campaign:

1. Schools were encouraged to form cultural clubs.
2. Through cultural clubs, Sankalp Se Siddhi competition were organized.
3. Students were given a competition booklet, through which they were asked to think and share how they could contribute to this mission.
4. School students took a pledge towards New India in their school assembly.

To have a deeper connection with the schools on the initiative, orientation workshops for school principals were organized across state capitals:

An interactive workshop on “Stress Management and Inter-personal Conflict Resolution” was organized for the GSDS staff on July 30, 2018, at Gandhi Darshan. Almost 120 persons took part. The workshop was conducted by Shri Atul Priyadarshi an expert trainer from Patna.

During the workshop, Shri Atul Priyadarshi focussed on different aspects of stress management such as ‘individual stress’, ‘emotional stress’, ‘physical stress’, ‘behavioural stress’ and how that affects the psyche of a person both at the workplace as well as at home.

Basing his training on different concepts, he further suggested various stress management techniques such as:

1. Prioritise Your Health
2. Get a Good Nights Sleep
3. Practice Deep Breathing
4. Stay Hydrated
5. Eat for Wellbeing
6. Get Moving to Combat Stress
7. Adopt a Positive Mind Set
8. Master Your Time
9. Don’t be a Slave to Tech
10. Learn to Say No

Analysing stress and the need to resolve it, Shri Priyadarshi spoke of integrity, character, ethics and values that are needed to self-motivate a person.

The second session that was conducted by Shri Atul Priyadarshi was on managing “Interpersonal Conflict”, where through games and meditation the concept of ‘unity’ was reiterated. Concepts such as “Learn how to use parts of the conflict resolution process to recognize and prevent conflict before it escalates”; “Develop communication tools such as... Read More

An orientation Programme on “Nonviolence Communication and Nonviolence Conflict Resolution” was organized by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti for officials of Special Unit for women and children of Delhi Police from June 19-20, 2018 in Police Training School, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi. The aim of the program was to build a framework of mediation in solving the conflicts without using coercive methods and violence and also help police officials to develop the friendly linkages with/between the citizens. About 50 Police Officers took part in the training programme.

Along with Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu (Program Officer, GSDS) two eminent resource persons viz. Shri Kumar Amitabh (Senior Journalist and Filmmaker) and Ms. Shweta Rashmi (Journalist, Working for Women and Children) contributed to achieve the overarching goal of enhancement of Police-Public partnerships and to integrate Gandhian techniques in policing.

The programme started by outlining the aims and objectives of the orientation programme by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu (Program Officer, GSDS). While speaking on the benefits of the programme, he added that as police play a role of mediator to solve the conflicts between the two groups or individual, this program could help them to deal with the situation without using coercive methods and violence.

Thus making their job easier and safer and thereby help them to develop friendly linkage with /between the citizens. He also shared experiences of similar... Read More

We are running every day with utmost pace but we are still on the same page. This friction in our steps whilst in the lifelong journey embarking an entrenchment swaying conflicts.

With the aforesaid reality checks and to reach up to the required solutions, an orientation programme on “Nonviolence Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Communication” for Sub-Registrars (Revenue Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi) was organized on April 28, 2018 by the Samiti at Gandhi Darshan.

After a brief introduction of the GSDS, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu (Program Officer, GSDS) outlined the aim and objectives of the training programme. While speaking on the benefits of the programme, he added that the program could help participants to deal with the situation without using coercive methods and violence in dealings with day to day lives.

The First session was conducted by Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan (Director, GSDS), who began his session by sharing his experiences while working in the Revenue Department. Through the course of introspection and discussion with the participants, he cited the inevitable reasons behind the stressful life of Sub Registrars when dealing with the public (suffer from interference or overindulgence).

While taking a reference from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan pointed that during his whole life, the Mahatma faced an innumerable crisis from various corners related to conflicts, disparities. But even after facing such stringent... Read More

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, in association with Arsa Bharati Trust, Gouras Pariwar, Telangana G.O.U. Federation (Goras Organizations United Federation, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) and Multiple Voluntary Institutions, have jointly organized “Y.A.G.Y.A. Expo – 2075” from July 14 – 24 July, 2018 at Gandhi Darshan.

The main objective of the expo was to showcase the traditional aspects of applied Vedic arts & Sciences of Yog, Ayurveda, Govidya, Yagya, etc. with a prime focus on their potential applications in present day’s agriculture, Health Care, Education, Culture, Environment Protection (Reversal of Climate Change), Livelihood Generation and Community bonding, thereby achieving the global goals of sustainable development S.D.Gs – 2030 which states: (No poverty, Zero hunger, Clean Water & Sanitation, Good Health and well-being, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, Quality education, etc.)

The expo was inaugurated by Shri Manhar Zala (Chairman, National Safai karamchari Commission) at the I.G.N.C.A. auditorium on July 14, 2018. Shri Subhash Jindal (Patron of Bharat Sevak Samaj) presided over the inaugural session that was attended by over 60 delegates from various parts of the country.

Other dignitaries who occupied the Dias included Dr. ISH Narang (Delhi Arya Pratinidhi Sabha), Er. Subodh Kumar (Working President of G.O.U. Federation), Umesh... Read More

A “Yoga Utsav” was organized by GSDS on June 16, 2018 at JVCC Lawns, Sec-21, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and VC GSDS was the chief guest on the occasion. Padma Bhushan Shri Ram Vanji Sutar graced the occasion with his presence. About 100 yog sadhak and sadhika (practitioners) and 500 audiences took part in the programme.

In his address, Dr. Mahesh Sharma emphasized the importance of yoga to lead a positive and healthy life to bring harmony and peace to the world. He also performed yoga with the participants. “Yog Patrika”, a monthly newsletter was also launched on the occasion by Dr. Mahesh Sharma.

A large number of people from all walks of life participated in the Yog Utsav. Yoga session was conducted by Mr. Prem Kumar Bakshi along with Shri Santosh and Ms. Rashmi Jha. Yogasana competition was an attraction of the celebrations.

Shri N S Negi, Shri P V Janardhan and Ms. Rashmi were external judges for the purpose. Cultural programmes based on Yoga were performed.

The Samiti hosted the screening of the documentary film on “Non-Violent Communication” in Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat on May 18, 2018. The film focused on the different aspects of non-violent communications with interviews of resource persons, experts, Gandhian thinkers, working professionals, and experience sharing by home guards personnel.

Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Shri S A Jamal, Administrative Officer, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, other staff and members of the Samiti took part in the discussions on the film and presented their suggestions for improvising the same in the film.

Various suggestions were taken to be incorporated in the film. It was suggested that:

1. A soft instrumental music Vaishnava Jana Tau could play in the background.
2. Make a shorter version of the film for showing during the workshop with essential meaning.
3. Increase the respondents .
4. Make the message of the film more clear and emphatic.
5. Incorporate the problems faced by the participants.

The Samiti as part of its swachhatta abhiyaan organized a cleanliness drive on April 12 and April 19, 2018 respectively in Gandhi Darshan. Assistant Librarian Smt. Sunita Joshi coordinated the shramdaan in coordination with the Programme Unit. Other staff of the GSDS joined in the cleanliness drive. A prayer meeting – Sarva Dharma Prarthana was also organized on the occasion.

A senior delegation of Gandhian scholars, academicians, social workers and others took part in a discussion on programmes and actions to be undertaken for the celebrations of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on May 1, 2018 in Gandhi Darshan.

Participating in the discussion were Shri Aditya Patnaik, Shri Basant Ji, Prof. Manoj Kumar, Dr. B Mishra, Prof. Girishwar Mishra, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Dr. T Karunakaran, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan and others.

The delegation also took part in a meeting chaired by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on May 2, 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The President said that the Gandhi's birth anniversary commemoration has a worldwide meaning. "Let us elevate this to a global celebration, using platforms such as the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. The focus should not just be on events, but on tangible, actionable legacies that will make a difference to the lives of ordinary people -- wherever they may be," he said.

Shri Narendra Modi called for the celebrations to move beyond government events and take the shape of a mass movement. He further suggested that the activities for commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019 be designed around the theme of “Karyanjali” or “Gandhi in Action”.

As the daylight began to give way to the evening sky, over 1000 people gathered at the newly named Charkha Park, to witness the inauguration of the newly installed Insignia’s developed by the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on huge stones and the Steel Charkha by the Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh. A galaxy of distinguished guests such as Shri Pramod Kumar, Bihar Tourism Minister; Smt. Anju Devi, Chief Councillor, Motihari Municipal Council; Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission; Shri Babloo Gupta, Member Legislative Council; Shri Brajkishore Singh, Secretary, Gandhi Sanghralaya, Motihari; Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS, Shri Chandrabhushan Pandey, eminent Gandhian and journalist and others were present at the inaugural ceremony.

The Insignia was designed in the Gandhi Darshan complex at Rajghat, New Delhi by the GSDS under the guidance and supervision of eminent sculptor and Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Shri Adwaita Gadanayak and his team of artists from Orissa who had spent over a month in carving the stone pillars – first with the image of Ba and Bapu, the second with the signatures of Gandhiji in different languages; the third pillar with shlokas from the Rig Veda and the fourth pillar depicting the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) symbolising the introspection in search of truth and non-violence for attainment of strength and resilience to fight... Read More

Hon’ble Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi Interpretation Centre at the Zila School Motihari on April 15, 2018 at a grand event that also saw participation of a large number of farmers from across the state of Bihar at the “Kisan Mela” organised from April 14-16, 2018. Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan accompanied the Hon'ble minister at the launch ceremony. Over 500 people took part in the programme.

Present on the occasion was Shri Pramod Kumar, Hon'ble Tourism Minister Bihar Government; Shri Babloo Gupta, Member Legislative Council, Bihar Government; Shri Braj Kishore Singh, Secretary of Gandhi Sanghralaya, Motihari, Shri Chandrabhushan Pandey, eminent Gandhian and journalist, and other distinguished members.

The occasion also saw the release of the book “Champaran Ki Dastaan” authored by Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan and Shri Pankaj Chaubey by Shri Radha Mohan Singh.

The Interpretation Centre at Zila School contains the history of the Champaran Satyagraha with a vivid photographic exhibition about the associates of Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran in 1917 such as Babu Rajendra Prasad, Ramnavami Prasad, Rajkumar Shukla, Pir Munis, Babu Brajkishore Prasad, Acharya Kriplani, Dr. Anurag Naryan Sinha and others and the key role they played.

About 1000 youth from the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and from different colleges in Motihari took part in a yatra led by Shri Radha Mohan Singh... Read More

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

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

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

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

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:

1. Economic Thoughts, Education and Culture,
2. Swadeshi, Gramswaraj, Women
3. Regeneration Youth & Society,
4. Nationalism and Socialism,
5. 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