An important strategy to promote volunteerism and altruism in the society is the use of nonviolent communication. In a webinar organized by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with P S G College of Arts and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on May 30, 2020 it was underlined that as effective volunteerism necessitated relationship development and making connections, healthy communication practices was the key. About 100 students and teachers took part in the Webinar on “Promoting Volunteerism using Nonviolent Communication: Let’s all volunteer for a better world”.
Delivering the Webinar Key Note Lecture, Dr Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS, explained the different dimensions of nonviolent communication and how each one of them was important in volunteering efforts. He talked about volunteerism in Indian tradition and how Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest volunteer of India. He talked in details of the Gandhian approach to volunteerism.
Dr Kundu observed that for effective volunteering, a volunteer needed to avoid stereotypes, moralistic judgements and evaluative language. He felt altruistic love; empathy and compassion were important attributes of an efficient volunteer.
Earlier, Mr Dipanker Shri Gyan inaugurated the Webinar. He talked about how NSS volunteers across the country were following the tradition of volunteering laid down by Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr R Kavitha of the Department of Social Work moderated the session and underlined how the NSS volunteers of the College were involved in volunteer work in the community.
The organizers from Coimbatore included Programme Officers (NSS PSG CAS) Dr. R Kavitha, Mr. S M Sarvanakumar, Mr. R Kanagraj and Dr. V Sumathi. The webinar has been organized as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.