INSTILLING LIFE VALUES IN YOUTH - THE GANDHIAN WAY

Dr.S.Kulandaisamy, Secretary, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Chennai is an Engineer by profession. He has specialised in Gandhian thought and follows a mission to touch young minds and initiate them into Gandhian thought and culture through Peace Education. He believes in resolving conflicts through micro actions for peace.

As I read one of his write ups last year in The Hindu, Young World, I too had a personal feeling that non violence is on the hike among students and inclusion of Peace Education into the course module would definitely help mould our kids in a better manner.

Later I came to know that 51 modules on Gandhian values was published by him, with stories, quiz, quotes, anecdotes and illustrations. Further I understood that these are compiled and published as books and distributed among interested students. The simple material, well presented and suitable for students for various levels in an appropriate manner is definitely a choice to be utilised by the citizens of tomorrow.

Cover page of the book Gandhian Way to Peace

The Gandhi Peace Foundation, Chennai, conducts various certificate courses for students from Class IV. The modules are different for each standard. Attempting them would definitely influence one on the long run and thus are lessons that lasts a lifetime.

There are similar courses for college students, teachers, parents and women.

Gandhi Peace Foundation, Chennai offers these books to each student at a rate of Rs.200.Lessons are presented in such a way that they instill into young minds values in a very subtle way. There is a questionnaire at the end of the material which students can attend and score to avail a certificate. Toppers join together at the Foundation on Gandhi Jayanti day to share their experiences and ideas in a creative manner. It helps to build a network of like minded people.

Students can attempt these modules anytime of their choice and from the comfort of their home also.

The Foundation also conducts workshops to facilitate Inter religious understanding and Peace Education in schools.

To read an interview with the expert, please visit the following link:
http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/07/stories/2011050763190200.htm


To know how to proceed to join the programme at school level, please follow this link:
http://www.hindu.com/yw/2011/06/21/stories/2011062150281100.htm


To get to know on how to form a youth forum under the aegis of Gandhi peace foundation, read:
http://www.gandhitopia.org/group/mgnd/forum/topics/youth-forum-for-micro-peace

Sandra Satheesh, a student from CMI Public School, Devagiri shares her experience on the course she attended in 2011 along with her viewson gandhian thoughts at:
http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/kids/article2520573.ece

For any other details, Dr.S.Kulandaisamy can be contacted at Gandhi Peace Foundation, 332, Ambujammal Street, Alwarpet, Chennai. PINCode: 600 018. Phone: 044-24993839/ 9962479005. On email : kulandhaisamy.gpf@gmail.com.

BIOGRAPHY (2) - GANDHIJI

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October,1869 at Porbandur in Gujarat.
His parents were Karamchand Gandhi and Puthali Bhai.

As a child, Gandhiji was a shy and dull student who loved books.He was always honest,truthful and dutiful.He was a good son. he was highly inspired by Maharaj Harischandra and Shravana Maharishi.

Gandhiji took his degree in Law from London and became a Lawyer /Barrister. 

He was married to Kasturba. They had four sons- Harilal, Manilal, Devdas and Ramdas.

Gandhiji initailly worked in Africa for twenty years from 1893.Here, he fought hard against racial discrimination and apartheid.

During the train journey from Natal to Pretoria, Gandhiji got thrown out of the railway compartment, at Johannesburg, just for dark skin, in spite of having a valid train ticket.This was the turning point in his life from where he emerged as a national leader and led India into Independence.

Gandhiji started the newspaper"Indian Opinion", edited newspapers like Young India, Navjeevan; initiated the new mode of protest through Non violence called as Satyagraha which means adhere to truth in a nonviolent manner...

Passive resistance to British was initiated under his leadership in 1915 in India.

Non Cooperative movement in 1921.

Severe famines made scarcity for food and clothes. So Gandhiji adopted bald head and clad dhoti on September 21st, 1921.

In 1930, he led the Dandi March, which started from Sabarmati on March12th to Dandi till April6th.

Civil Disobedience was followed up to 1934.

Harijan weekly in 1934; All India Gramoday Sangh; Rural Development; Popularisation of Khadi...

Quit India in 1942 August 8th.

Gandhiji's autobiography is termed "My experiments with truth". 

Ahimsa and Satyagraha were popularised by Him...However, he was shot dead on 30th January,1948 by Godsey. As a non violent person, he laid down his life to prevent fights and quarrels...

Raghupati raghava rajaram........paavana seetharaam....