Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti hosted an online orientation progamme with Online University of Kyrgystan on “Nonviolent Communication” on October 20, 2020. The key speaker in this orientation programme was Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS. The welcome address was given by Dr. Elira Turbudaeva, President, Online University. 63 participants from Kyrgistan and India joined the orientation program virtually. The webinar which was live-streamed in the GSDS Facebook page was had 632 viewership’s presence. The discourse was simultaneously translated in the local language. Describing various tenets of non-violent communication, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu spoke of the communication process not just within ourselves, but with the outside world. He said that communication can either build or mar relationship.
Referring to the Buddha, Dr. Vedabhyas quoted, “Words have both the power to destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world”. Citing various examples and day-to-day activities, he further outlined the necessity of positive and non-violent communication for he said, “It can either spoil relationships or unite conflicting parties. It can offer wisdom and help to a friend or a stranger or offer abuse and perpetuate hatred and negativity”. Dr. Vedabhyas outlined seven sub-basic elements of non-violent communication – understanding self; learning to communicate with ourselves; constructive inner dialogue; practicing the habit of self-introspection; deep listening to our self-talk; importance of self-awareness and the need for self mental cleansing in order to heal the wounds.