Gandhi Bhawan

Gandhi Bhawan

32, Chhatra Marg,
Delhi University,
DELHI – 110007
27666243
27662774
gandhibhawan@du.ac.in

Major Activities and Achievements since 2008




Gandhi Bhawan initiated a Yoga training programme at various colleges of Delhi University in July 2008.
A meeting of Principals and Teachers-in-charge of Gandhi Study Circles of various colleges of Delhi University was held on 12th August 2008 to discuss and plan various programmes/ activities to be held in 2009. Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan, welcomed the participants and apprised them about the International Seminar on Mahatma’s Gandhi’s seminal book Hind Swaraj. Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi, the Chief Guest gave the inaugural address focusing on the need to propagate Gandhian ideology and actions, reinterpretation of Mahatma in the modern times. Prof. Vivek Suneja, Dean – Planning, University of Delhi and Member, Managing Committee, Gandhi Bhawan, emphasized on the need to be practical, even though we believe in ideology and actions of Mahatma Gandhi. Prof. Vibha Chaturvedi, Chairperson, Gandhi Bhawan, reinforced the need to familiarize younger generation with the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi.

On 22nd August 2008, a Consultation meeting for celebrating 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj was held. The centenary programme aimed at discussing ways and means to popularize Hind Swaraj among the University community was attended by Delhi University officials and other eminent guests from various Universities. Prof. Deepak Pental, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, was the Chief Guest on this occasion and the inaugural session was also graced by Prof. S. K. Tandon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi. At the onset of the meeting, a bhajan ‘Vaishnav Jan……..’ was sung by the students of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College. Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan declared the mission of the programme – ‘Let us join hands to popularize Gandhian philosophy and action.’

On 3, 4 & 6 October 2008, a Workshop – Wikied2008 on Open Educational Resources for college teachers and students was held at Acharya Narendra Dev College, Delhi University, in collaboration with Gandhi Bhawan.

An Indian Classical Music Programme in collaboration with Sangeet Sankalp Society was held on 14th December 2008. Various eminent artists participated in the programme.
An Essay & Painting Competition for Grade XI School students of Delhi and NCR was organized on the topic – “Is Gandhi Relevant Today?”

A Poster Competition for College students, Research Scholars and young teachers was organized on Hind Swaraj: 100 Years and After.

A three-day International Seminar on Hind Swaraj: 100 Years and After was organized on 11th, 12th and13th February 2009, in which eminent personalities from India and abroad participated. A special attraction during the seminar was the exhibition of drawings of Mahatma Gandhi by Suraj Sadan, an artist from Canada. Some of the best entries of Essay writing, Painting and Poster competitions were displayed.

The seminar started with welcome address delivered by Prof. Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan, University of Delhi, Delhi. The programme commenced with a prayer by students of Harijan Sewak Sangh, Kingsway Camp, Delhi. This was followed by bhajans sung by the students of Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi. The Director introduced the speakers and Gandhian scholars from India and abroad. The introduction of the seminar was given by Prof. Vibha Chaturvedi, Chairperson, Gandhi Bhawan. Prof. S. K. Tandon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, chaired the session. Keynote address was delivered by Prof. Anthony J. Parel, University of Calgary, Canada. Prof. Parel opened his speech by calling Hind Swaraj a transformative book, which according to him, is the distinctiveness of the book. Prof. Parel continued to define the ‘Hind’ and ‘Swaraj’ elaborately. He concluded by calling Hind Swaraj a source book which helps us to evaluate our present achievements and the achievements yet to come. After his enlightening speech, the audience had the opportunity to listen to Prof. S. K. Tandon. Referring to Gandhi as the prophet of intolerance, he expressed his amazement at this one-man army, who internalized all that he preached and galvanized the nation towards action.Session I, Hind Swaraj: Text-Context, was chaired by Prof. Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. The speakers during this session were Prof. Susanne Rudolph and Prof. Lloyd Rudolph, University of Chicago, USA, Shri Ashok Vajpeyi, Chairman, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, Prof. Anand Kumar, JNU, New Delhi. Session II, Democracy: A Gandhian Critique, was chaired by Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, Chairman, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi. The speakers for this session were Prof. Manager Pandey, eminent critic and thinker, Prof. Marc Juergensmeyer, University of California, USA, Prof. Ramashray Roy, former Director, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, Shri Rajiv Vora, Chairman, Swarajpeeth. Session III, Gandhi and Modern Civilization, held on 12th February 2009, was chaired by Prof. Mrinal Miri, former Director, Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. The eminent speakers in the session were Prof. Vinay Lal, Associate Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, USA, Shri Prabhash Joshi, eminent thinker & journalist, Prof. J. N. Sharma, Director, Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Prof. K. L. Kamal, former Vice-Chancellor, Rajasthan University. Session IV, Satyagraha & Swaraj, was chaired by Shri Ramchandra Rahi, Secretary, Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Rajghat, New Delhi. The eminent speakers of the session were: Prof. Vinit Haksar, University of Edinburgh, UK, Prof. Pulin B. Nayak, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Prof. Siby K. Joseph, Dean, Institute of Gandhian Studies, Wardha, Prof. (Retd.) Subrata Mukherjee, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, Dr. Tarun Kumar from Patna College, Patna and Dr. Sribhagwan Singh fro Tilka Manjhi University, Bhagalpur. On 13th February 2009, Session V, Gandhi Vision of Indian Society, was chaired by Prof. S. K. Tandon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Delhi. The eminent speakers of the session were Prof. Makarand Paranjape, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Ms. Madhu Kishwar, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, Dr. Y. P. Anand, former Director, Gandhi Museum, New Delhi. The Valedictory session was chaired by Prof. Vivek Suneja, Dean, Planning, University of Delhi, Delhi. Overview of Seminar was presented by Prof. Vibha Chaturvedi, Chairperson, Gandhi Bhawan. The valedictory address was delivered by Prof. K. D. Gangrade, former Vice-Chairman, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Rajghat, New Delhi and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Delhi. Concluding remarks were given by Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan. She also thanked all the Chairpersons, Speakers, National and International guests, students, teachers, office staff and all those who actively participated in the seminar. Prizes were distributed to the best three entries of Essay writing, Painting and Poster Competitions.
On demand of students of Delhi University, an interactive workshop on ‘Staying Calm while preparing for Exams’ was conducted by Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan on 30th March 2009.

Gandhi Bhawan celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October 2009. The programmes on this occasion included prayer by students of Harijan Sevak Sangh, Charkha Yajna by Dr. Sita Bimbra, Musical tribute to Mahatma by Dr. Madhurlata Bhatnagar of Music Faculty. The message of peace and Nonviolence was delivered by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deepak Pental.

On December 23, 2009 an on-the-spot Painting Competition on the theme: Nonviolence was held for College students of Delhi University in which students from various colleges took part.

From December 26, 2009 – January 7, 2010 students from various colleges/ departments of Delhi University visited Gujarat Vidyapith under Gandhi Darshan Yatra.
The programme on 30th January 2010, Martyr’s Day included prayer by students of Harijan Sevak Sangh, musical tribute to Mahatma by Dr. Madhurlata Bhatnagar of Music Faculty. Certificates were distributed to the participants of Gandhi Darshan Yatra and prizes were given to the winners of on-the-spot Painting Competition.
On 2nd February 2010 an Outreach Programme ‘Enhancing Human Potential’ in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi was inaugurated. Prof. S. K. Tandon, Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dinesh Singh, Director, UDSC, Prof. Vivek Suneja, Dean-Planning & Member, M.C., Gandhi Bhawan were special guests. Swami Shantatmananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission introduced the programme.

On February 14, 2010 a classical musical programme was held in collaboration with Sangeet Sankalp.
On February 23, 2010, a documentary film ‘Mahatma’ by Viththalbhai Jhaveri was screened. Prof.

A two-day Workshop ‘Yoga for Healthy Lifestyle’ was organized on March 11 & 12 2010 at Gandhi Bhawan. Lecture demonstrations were given by eminent Yoga experts such as Dr. V. K. Vijayan, Director, Patel Chest Institute, Delhi University, Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, Swami Anant Bharati, Yogacharya Namdev Singh, Dr. D. N. Sharma, President, INO and by Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan

An interactive session ‘Realizing One’s Potential’ was conducted by Swami Shantatmananda Ji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi for the residents of Saramati Hostel, University of Delhi, South Campus, on March 5, 2010, for the residents of North East Students House for Women, University of Delhi, on March 16, 2010, and for the residents of Jubilee Hall Hostel, University of Delhi on March 18, 2010. A large number of hostel residents and other students and employees participated in the sessions.
Participation of Prof. Ashum Gupta, Director, Gandhi Bhawan in Seminars and Conferences during 2009-10:
‘Hind Swaraj: Psychological Perspectives’ invited lecture delivered at the Hindi Academy, New Delhi, August 18, 2009.

‘Eradication of Ragging’, spoke as panelist at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Rajghat, New Delhi, September 11, 2009.

‘Exploring Swaraj: field experiences’, participated in an interactive session at the International Conference on ‘Hind Swaraj’ at Hotel Rajhans, Suraj Kund, Faridabad, Haryana, November 19, 2009.
‘Importance of Gandhian Ideology in modern times’, inaugural address delivered as special guest at the inauguration of Gandhi Study Circle at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, December 16, 2009.
‘Developing multimedia package on Mahatma Gandhi for school children’, participated as resource person, National Gandhi Museum, Rajghat, New Delhi, January 19, 2010

‘Gandhi in the Era of Globalization’, valedictory lecture delivered at the National Symposium held at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, University of Delhi, February 13, 2010.
‘Yoga for Women and Children’s Health and Mental Health’, lecture delivered at the Workshop on ‘Yoga for Healthy Lifestyle’, Gandhi Bhawan, University of Delhi, March 12, 2010.
Regular Activities of Gandhi Bhawan
Gita Discourse – Every Sunday at Gandhi Bhawan from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Celebration of Gandhi Jayanti - 2nd October
Martyr’s day observance on 30th January
Yoga-Meditation classes and Naturopathy consultation morning and evening
Gandhi Darshan Yatra being organized every year for the students of Delhi University.
Talks on Gandhian thought and action on DU FM 90.4