GSDS in association with the Auro University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Surat, Gujarat organised a webinar on “Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in our Daily Life” on June 11, 2020. 52 participants took part in the Webinar. The speakers included Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS and Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS. Prof. Shyam Parekh, Dean, Dept of Mass Communication, Auro University was also present on the occasion. Prof. Sayantani Roy Assistant Professor, Dept of Mass Communication of Auro University moderated the session.
The webinar began with an introduction to the Gandhian approach to NVC by Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS. While referring to different dimensions of the Gandhian framework of NVC, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also emphasised that the style of communication has changed over the years and more so in the present day context when too much pressure – from different streams – have gripped humanity. He referred to the importance of handling pressure with a calm and quiet frame of mind. Saying that Mahatma Gandhi never used harsh words for his opponents, and thereby acquired mutual admiration, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan spoke of the ancient Indian culture and tradition which he said paved a way for empathetic understanding of issues and mitigating towards solving problems peacefully through dialogues.
Further referring to both verbal and non-verbal communication, he asserted that the art of positive and fair communication must begin from home that is carried forward in the society, at work place and so on. “We have to change ourselves, talk within us, internally introspect”, he said, adding, “Peace needs to be established within us first to establish a peaceful coexistence amongst others in the outer world”.
The interactive dialogue saw a question-answer session between the participants, the key speaker Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu and the moderator Prof. Sayantani while delivering on the principles of non-violent communication (NVC), highlighted several key points with special reference to mindfulness dialogue between oneself and with others. He also pointed to the various elements of NVC and stressed on the five Gandhian pillars of NVC that form the basis of everyday life.
Speaking on the constructed news and the negative narratives, he urged the participants to use such views with one’s conscience and strategically. He also referred to the use of mindfulness journalism by many of in the South East Asian Region and said that collaborative approach is another technique to deal with conflicting situations. He concluded by stressing on the need to create a communication ecosystem.
Amongst those who participated in the interactive question-answer session included: Prof. Shyam Parekh, Ms. Gyatri Deshmukh, Ms. Maitri Desai, Ms. Asiya Naqvi, Mr. Malik Mohd. Ashfaq, Shri Rajdeep Pathak and Shri Gulshan Gupta.