250 participants from Rashtra Shakti Vidyalaya Hastasal New Delhi took part in a webinar on “From Retribution to Restorative Practices – Handling Classroom conflicts using Nonviolent Communication” in which elements, strategies of conflict resolution and making classroom cohesive were discussed by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS where he underlined the need for creation of a culture of acceptance and increase practice of gratitude in our daily life. The webinar was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in association with Rashtra Shakti Vidyalaya on July 11, 2020.

The Samiti organised a discussion on “Mindfulness: A way towards balance and harmony” with Dharmacharya Shri Shantum Seth (Mindfulness teacher, Ahimsa Trust); Sister Rama (senior Rajyogi Faculty, Brahma Kumaris); Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS; Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS and Ms. Kanak Kaushik, Course In-charge. The webinar saw the launch of the course on “Mindfulness: A way towards balance and harmony”, wherein several courses – for youth, children, women, prison inmates.. 89 participants took part in the launch programme on July 1, 2020.

The GSDS’ in association with Noble International University (USA) organised an international E-conference on “Why Human Interdependence Matters today to fight Global Environmental Crises” on June 20, 2020 with the following key speakers – Padma Shri Shri Ashok Bhagat, Founder Secretary Vikas Bharati Bishunpur, Jharkhand; Prof. Dr Roger Hansell, President Noble International University (USA); Prof. Dr. Biswajit (Bob) Ganguly, Chancellor & CEO Noble International University (NIU) (USA), President & CEO Noble Institution for Environment Peace (Canada) and Prof. Dr. Marijo Readey, Dean of Studies, NIU, USA. Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan inaugurated the E-conference. 50 participants from in and around the world took part in the discussion. Prof. Tanima Bhattacharjee from Noble University along with Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu Programme Officer GSDS moderated the session.
Giving his welcome address, Shri Dipanker Shri Gya, Director GSDS said that the pandemic has, what he called, “Given us opportunity to connect to the world, understand their culture and traditions and evolve our knowledge base”. He also looked at the positive side that the pandemic has brought back to the environment, which he said has started rejuvenating. He further called for protection of the environment which is now a greater challenge before humankind. Saying that mankind has destroyed environment for their greed, he cautioned, “If the environment gives back in its severity, it will be difficult for... Read More

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... Read More

We have to change the definition of Self-Rule: Ram Bahadur Rai
“Mahatma Gandhi did not talk anything new when he spoke about the concept of ‘gram swaraj’ while presenting a solution for the village of his dreams. What he presented before humanity was the ancient Indian tradition of making India self-reliance once again which the Vedas and the Upanishads had given us”, said Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) while delivering the key-note address at a webinar on “Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj” organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi in association with Gandhi Gyan Mandir, Madhepura, Bihar on June 7, 2020.
Addressing about 55 participants from Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, Kanpur, Punjab which included senior journalists, social thinkers, students, research scholars, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai said that it is the inherent strength of the Indian villages and their model of self-reliance, Gram Panchayats, etc that India has withstood several currents and waves over centuries”.
“Gandhiji’s thoughts were inspired by the ancient Indian thoughts on development and human welfare, which were enshrined in the ancient scriptures of India and partly spelt out in the masterly treatise on economics and statecraft, called Kautilya Arthashastra of sixth century BC”, he said.
He also spoke about the ‘Last will and Testament’ of Mahatma Gandhi which he drafted on January 29, 1948 a day before his death and... Read More

Ethics, Economy and Ecology are necessary for Sustainable Development: Shri Ram Lal
“We have to thank our villages, our villagers for their culture, their self-sustained methodologies and their belief in their traditional systems that has proved a boon during this pandemic”, said Shri Ram Lalji, All India Chief Coordinator of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh while addressing the webinar on “Empowered Village – Empowered Nation” organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in the light of Covid -19 and the present scenario on June 26, 2020.
Applauding the efforts of the villages in handling the pandemic despite the influx of migrants from the cities to their respective homes in the villages, Shri Ram Lal said, “We have to pay respect to the dignity of labour”, adding, “Despite their hardships and sufferings, the people who left cities for their villages never showed any sign of revolt in their journey back home”.
Reiterating what Shri Sita Ram Gupta, CEO of Lupin Human Welfare Organisation (LHWO) and Shri Narendra Meherotra of Mission Samriddhi had said, Shri Ram Lal further stated that the pandemic has made this new generation and the youth of today realise the essence of service. “This generation has started living together with their family; they have been more aware of ‘swadeshi’ (local made) products and ‘swavlambhan’ (self-reliant)”, adding, “They have now become alert about the three E’s – Ethics Ecology and Economy which are necessary for... Read More

Secretary Ministry of Culture, Government of India Shri Anand Kumar, IAS offered tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Martyrs Column in Gandhi Smriti during his visit to the memorial on June 22, 2020. Shri Anand Kumar also visited the Gandhi Smriti Museum and the digital exhibition. Ms. Nirupama Kotru, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture was also present on the occasion. Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan who welcomed the gathering briefed them about the functioning of the Samiti and the museum. Members from the DST (Department of Science and Technology) were also present on the occasion.

The Samiti in association with the Yoga Club & IQAC of PGDAV College (Evening), University of Delhi jointly celebrated the 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY) through an on-line lecture-cum-demonstration by Dr. Navodita Pande on Acu Yoga and Ms. Anuradha Mehra on Breathology.
The lecture began with the welcome address by Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS where he outlined the importance of yoga in creating a self discipline amongst individuals. He also spoke about the gift of yoga which the world is acknowledging today in this time of stress. This was followed by the address by Dr. R K Gupta, Principal, PGDAV College, Evening. The others who addressed the gathering included Dr. Shruti Vip, Convener, Yoga Club, PGDAV College, Evening. Shri Gulshan Gupta, North East Coordinator GSDS moderated the session along with Dr. Shruti.
In his address, Dr. R K Gupta while reiterating the theme of the 6th IDY stated that yoga is not merely a physical exercise. It is a concept that elevates the body and mind at a spiritual level. He also spoke about the activities of the ‘Yoga Club’. He also said that in this pandemic, yoga is being taken as a catalyst to boost the immunity of the body.
The session saw a demonstrative lecture by Dr. Navodita Pande, who besides explaining the concepts of ‘Acu Yoga’ and also based her lecture on how pressure points assists in helping reduce physical ailments. She also spoke on ‘yoga for immunity through five asanas. She... Read More

Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan convened an on-line meeting on the functioning of a project sanctioned by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under the aegis of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India to Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. The virtual meeting on June 13, 2020 was attended by Shri Basant Singh (Karigar Panchayat); Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS; Shri S A Jamal, former Administrative Officer, GSDS; Shri Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive, GSDS; Shri Bishwajit Singh, Project Lead/Head of the sanctioned project with his team of Ms. Pooja Singh, Mr. Chandan Gupta, Mr. Mukund Milind, Ms. Ruby Mishra; Ms. Kanak Kaushik, GSDS and Ms. Prerna Jindal, GSDS.
The meeting began with a presentation by Shri Bishwajit who elaborated on the success story of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushalya Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) that was initiated by the GSDS and almost 2000 auto drivers from Champaran Bihar plying their autos in Delhi were trained along with another 2000 auto drivers who were trained in the second phase in 2018-19. He mentioned that it was not just a training that catered to their certification and assessment (as per the RPL program), an overall development in terms of their education, health and finance management was also taken care. He mentioned that for the first time the auto drivers felt empowered with their certification and when their children were enrolled with the IGNOU... Read More

A two-day e-workshop on “Strategies of Conflict Resolution in Classroom” was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on June 9-10, 2020 for students and teachers of different colleges and universities across the country. Dr. Sazia Mansoori, Assistant Professor Aligarh Muslim University was one of the key speakers along with Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS who gave an introductory address to the webinar; and Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS. The Webinar underlined the necessity for an effective measure to be taken in the classrooms and establish a cultural of peace & making connection with students for a healthy environment. 45 participants took part in the two-day e-workshop.
Delivering the webinar’s keynote lecture Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS explained the different dimensions of conflict resolution in classrooms via using non violent communication techniques. He talked on how conflict management helps in reducing stress and friction and referred to the Gandhian approach of non-violent communication skills. He further said that Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest volunteers. He talked on gandhian approach of volunteering.
Dr. Kundu further observed that in today’s scenario one can only calm a confronting situation by controlling one’s thoughts and actions by avoiding stereotypes, evaluating language and be more empathetic towards others. Dr. Kundu integrated the nonviolent communication techniques with media... Read More

We have to convert fear into opportunity: Dipanker Shri Gyan
On the occasion of 'World Environment Day' Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti organised a Webinar on Promoting Community Volunteers: Serving the Society in Covid-19 on June 5, 2020. Almost 46 participants from Uttarakhand, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Indore, West Bengal, Bihar and New Delhi took part in the programme and shared the initiatives they took in their respective areas during COVID-19 as ‘Covid Warriors’. The technical support was provided by Ms. Prerna during the discussion.
Sharing his experiences, Mr. Shakeel Khan of GSDS informed how he and his team helped children from Bihar below fifteen years reach their home by making arrangement of bus and taking care of their food expenses during their journey back home.
Shri C P Joshi from Dastak Samajik Sansthan in Dwarahat Uttarakhand informed that their organization reached almost twenty districts and helped 127 families by distribution of food and ration settled in the remote areas of their state. He further informed that they had distributed about 750 masks and also helped the specially-abled people. Shri Joshi said that Covid-19 has taught humanity a lesson not to respect nature.
Shri Gulshal Gupta, Coordinator North East Programmes of GSDS who moderated the session spoke of Shri Rajendra Negi of the same organization who have been regularly taking yoga sessions with patients in the quarantine centres at... Read More

Hon'ble Minister of Culture and Vice- Chairperson GSDS Shri Prahlad Singh Patel along with Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare , Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harshvardhan inaugurated the 360° Video-Immersive Experience in Circular Dome and Digital Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Darshan on Friday, November 6, 2020. Secretary DST and Secretary MOC and JS MOC along with other dignitaries graced the occasion. Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan welcomed the dignitaries in the premises.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR & AR) are very powerful technology tools that could get the message of Gandhiji to the youth of India. To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Department of Science & Technology used these tools and developed a 360o video-immersive experience in a circular dome at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, in association with Ministry of Culture. Ministry of Culture provided the required space of 15m x 15m at Gandhi Darshan for the purpose.
The project was aimed to create a digital and virtual reality (VR) experience based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. In order to provide the video-immersive experience, four films on the life of Mahatma Gandhi (both Hindi & English versions) each of 10 minute duration with the following titles have been produced:-
• Mohan to Mahatma
• The Last Phase
• Freedom from Fear
• Gandhi Forever and a combined film of all... Read More

The Samiti, in association with the Department of Mass Communication and Media of the Central University of South Bihar organsied a Webinar on “Non-Violent Communication” on May 28, 2020. The speakers included Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS; Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS and Prof. Atish Parashar, Dean & HOD DMCM CUSB. Almost 70 participants took part in the webinar. The University has decided to include non-violent communication in the curriculum as a new subject in the Mass Communication Department. Prof. Atish Parashar chaired the session.
Head of the media department Prof. Parashar said that this course would see unexpected changes in the lives of students. He said that after assimilating this subject, students will be able to understand disciplinary and fundamental knowledge in their life closely, with which they would be able to build a better society. Describing this course as the need of the hour, he said that this theme of non-violent communication based on the principle of Mahatma Gandhi from Mahatma Buddha's taphbhoomi (Bihar) will introduce India's spirituality and philosophy in a new way on the global stage. History is witness that India has not given war to the world, but the teachings of Buddha through Buddha.
Sharing his idea, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan said that non-violent communication is the need of the hour today. He said that youth today is engaged in the most aggressive dialogue, due to which it is... Read More

In its fight against COVID -19, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti New Delhi and Lupin Human Welfare Association, Rajasthan on May 29, 2020 sent 200 PPE Kits, 50 Thermometer, 10,000 PCS NITRILE GLOVES, 11000 masks and 500 FACE Shields to tribal district Khunti, Jharkhand free of cost for use by the District Administration. This consignment was flagged off by Shri N N Sinha, IAS, Secretary, Rural Development, Government of India, at Krishi Bhawan. Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS and Shri Sita Ram Gupta, CEO Lupin Human Welfare, Organisation were also present at the flagging off ceremony.
Together, the GSDS and Lupin, since the breakdown of the pandemic COVID-19 has been regularly supplying masks and above noted materials free of cost to different organisations, government departments and to poor and needy people.

Senor journalist, columnist, academician and former Director General of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, Prof. K G Suresh stressed the urgent need to shift from problem-based journalism to solution-based journalism. He even proposed to draw the framework of such courses in media education. Prof. Suresh was speaking at a Webinar on “Non-Violent Communication” (NVC) organised by the largest journalists’ organisation of the National Capital, Delhi Journalists Association (DJA) in association with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on May 27, 2020. Delhi Journalists Association (India) proposed to take the discussion on NVC to all over the country.
The prominent speakers who joined the discussion included Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme officer GSDS; Shri Manoj Mishra, President, National Union of Journalist (India); Shri Umesh Chaturvedi, journalist, author and researcher; Dr. Pramod Kumar, author and social thinker, Shri Manohar Singh, Chairman Delhi Journalist Association and Shri Amlesh Raju, General Secretary, Delhi Journalist Association. Around 30 participants mostly academics, journalists, social workers, educationists from Chandigarh, Bihar, Delhi, Indore and Rajasthan took part in the webinar. The discussion was moderated by Shri Manohar Singh.
Initiating the discussion, Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu spoke of the elements of Non Violent Communication (NVC) in context of Indian culture and also stated the Buddhist principles of coexistence and... Read More

Good Immunity is the most essential key measure that one must take care to fight with any form of viruses in our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic has focused on the role of the immune system more than ever before. The significance of good immune system and how to develop a good and strong immune system was discussed in an online Webinar on the theme “Boosting Immunity and Maintaining Health with Alternate Medicine”, organized by Gandhi Samiti and Darshan Samiti on May 23, 2020. The webinar included 80 members including health experts, students, trainees, academics yogacharyas and GSDS staff members. Rajdeep Pathak, Programme Executive GSDS moderated the session. Shri Pankaj Sharma, Technical Associate GSDS provided technical support by hosting this session.
Initiating the discussion, Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan spoke about the growing concern of health amongst children and adults and people in general in this time of coronavirus that has engulfed humanity. He also highlighted the benefits of nature cure treatment and said how Mahatma Gandhi strongly believed in this whole form of cure which he applied to himself, his wife and also his children whenever they required.
Delivering the online interactive lecture Dr. Manju Rani Aggarwal, from the NITRD (National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases) shared valuable inputs about different types of “pranayama” (Yoga) to stay safe and healthy and boost immunity. She reflected on several asanas... Read More

The Samiti as part of the ‘Webinar Series: Covid -19 Outbreak” organized a webinar on “Non-Violent Communication” on May 16, 2020. The webinar was organized in association with Blue Bells group of Schools, Gurugram. Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu Programme Officer was the key speaker at the workshop. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Mansi of GSDS. 78 participants took part in this webinar.
The webinar began with the address of Mrs. Alka Singh, Principal Blue Bells Modern School who spoke about the necessity of one-to-one communication and how communication influences our and others’ behaviour.
Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, Director GSDS in his welcome address necessitated the need of establishing peaceful communication at all level and stressed on reducing misunderstanding amongst peer groups. Expressing his lament that violence has crept in the society, he said most of the time the reactions are quite impulsive and this impulsiveness creates repulsive reactions. He said that what should be done is to realize that ‘heat’ doesn’t emerge during communications with one another and relationships should be established.
Conducting the workshop on Non Violent Communication (NVC), Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu spoke of different theories and their practical applications. Speaking about the five key elements of communication, he spoke on the context of the Indian Culture and pointed to the five pillars of NVC – ‘Respect’, ‘Understanding’, ‘Acceptance’, ‘Appreciation’ and ‘Compassion’.... Read More

Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan convened an on-line meeting on May 13, 2020 to discuss initiatives the Samiti could take up post lockdown. He began by reiterating what the hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had mentioned in his address to the Nation on May 12, 2020 on his vision of launching a Self-Reliant India Movement” (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhyan) and shared the Gandhian concept of the revitalization of the economy. While referring to J C Kumarappa’s Economy of Permanence, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan said that answers towards self reliance could be found in this book which could well be modified in today’s context. He further said that post lockdown GSDS as an organization has to parallel cater to the existing heritage and the economy.
The other points that evolved during the discussion were:
1. It was informed of the webinars that has been started should be continued in the wake of Covid 19 and that other similar programmes must be initiated. A mention of the course on Non-Violent Communication was also done and it was informed of the overwhelming response received.
2. It was also pointed that a committee will be formed for selecting the entries of the “Talent Search” initiative for selecting poetry/posters/videos/peace messages/story telling etc and then these could be uploaded in the GSDS You Tube Channel through Shri Pankaj Sharma, Technical Associate. Also the selected posters and poetry will be published from time to time in... Read More

The Samiti in association with Healthy Aging India (HAI) run by doctors of AIIMS and CRPF have started mask making at five different places in Delhi for free distribution. In view of this, led by Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan, few of the staff members handed over khadi and cotton cloth rolls to members of HAI on May 6, 2020 in Gandhi Darshan.

Despite lockdown in both Gandhi Smriti and Gandhi Darshan, the staff members residing in the quarters at both the places in Tees January Lane and Gandhi Darshan complex respectively initiated a massive cleanliness drive on May 4-5, 2020 by cleaning the entire campus. In Gandhi Smriti led by Shri Narendra, the members joined in cleaning the entire campus. In Gandhi Darsahn, this initiative was led by Shri Mohit Mohan. Sanitizing and disinfecting public places and vehicles were also done by the members in Gandhi Darshan.

Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS delivered an on-line lecture on “Solidarity, Non-Violent Communication and Coronavirus” for the students of the National Law University Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on April 20, 2020. This is part of the online ‘lecture series’ initiated by the GSDS during the period of lockdown in view of COVID-19.
Speaking about the programmes of the GSDS, Dr. Kundu highlighted the initiatives the GSDS had taken with the Judiciary.

Director GSDS, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan addressed an interactive live online lecture on the history of Champaran Satyagraha on April 27, 2020. The online lecture was organized by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Shri Priyank Kanoongo moderated the discussion.

Speaking about the first satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian soil, Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan spoke of the essential features of the Champaran Satyagraha, its historical background. He stressed on the fact that this event had again taught humanity a lesson that establishing communication with the people in order to know their grievances and issues is vital for undertaking any social work. He further enumerated upon the role entrusted by Mahatma Gandhi to his wife Kasturba Gandhi who started developing connectivity with the women and educated them in cleanliness, sanitation and health and hygiene.

Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan also said that through his experiments with truth, Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran began to understand the plight of the people and placed their issues in the right forum. “This wasn’t a fight for revolution but for development for political change for the first time”, said Shri Gyan.

In a unique way to re-live the historic Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, the Samiti started an online web series of story-telling through different episodes that unfolded in Champaran, where a poor peasant Raj Kumar Shukla provided Lawyer Gandhi a platform to test the power of Satyagraha on the Indian soil.
The recording of episodes began with the Dean of Gandhi Chair of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Vishwa Vidyalaya Prof. Manoj Kumar speaking on the Champaran Satyagraha. Ms. Mansi from GSDS also narrated the story of the Champaran Satyagraha in the form of a story-telling through six episodes.

Rich tributes were paid to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr. B R Ambedkar on his 129th birth anniversary on April 14, 2020. Participants mostly from the GSDS shared their thoughts on Dr. Ambedkar through video and audio messages. The theme was drawn from one of Baba Saheb’s own words: “If you believe in living a respectable life, you believe in self-help which is the best help”. This was intended towards promising ourselves to make self help our life goal.

Earlier in the day, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Vice-Chairperson GSDS Shri Prahlad Singh Patel paid tributes to Dr. B R Ambedkar at his New Delhi residence by garlanding his portrait and offering flowers Baba Saheb. In a tweet, Shri Prahlad Patel called Dr. Ambedkar as a person who gave individuals the right to live with dignity and equality through the provisions enshrined in the Indian Constitution.