Engaging with the Mahatma: Multiple Perspectives The Gandhian Studies Centre Dr. Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science Engaging with the Mahatma: Multiple Perspectives Edited By Dr. (Prof.) Mala Pandurang Mrs. Vidya Subramanian Ms. Huda Sayyed Ms. Jinal Baxi Cover Designed By D‘dsign Graphics Printed By Mahavir Printers, Mumbai 400075 Published By Seva Mandal Education Society‘s Dr. Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science NAAC Reaccredited Grade ‗A+‘ with CGPA 3.69/4 UGC Status: College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) Maharishi Dhondo Keshav Karve Best College Awardee Smt Parameshwari Devi Gordhandas Garodia Educational Complex, 338, R.A Kidwai Road. Matunga, Mumbai 2020 ISBN 978-93-5258-741-3 CONTENTS About the Centre ………………………………………. i Introduction …………………………………………… iv 1. Sabhi Log Apne Jan 1 Dr. Ramdas Bhatkal ……………………………. 2. Gandhi in Central and Eastern Europe 3 Dr. Roxana-Elisabeta Marinescu ………… ……. 3. Gandhi - of the Earth, Earthy 16 Dr. Betty Govinden .……………………………… 4. Gandhi: A Making of a Mahatma 35 Dr. Preeti Shirodkar ………..…………………… 5. Relevance and Significance of Gandhian 50 Thoughts for Women in the Contemporary World Dr. Vibhuti Patel ………………………………... 6. Why now? Hey Ram! (Gandhi 2019 and the New 62 Graffiti on an already bleeding tombstone) Dr. Sridhar Rajeswaran ………………………… 7. Close to the Mahatma 73 Mr. Pheroze Nowrojee …………………………. 8. Gandhi‘s Earth and Other Poems 78 Dr. Betty Govinden ……………………………... Collected Annotations ………………………………. 82 List of Books at the Gandhian Studies Center……… 96 The Gandhian Studies Centre The University Grants Commission recognized Gandhian Studies Centre was established in 2013 at Dr. BMN College of Home Science. The primary objective of the centre is to create an understanding and appreciation of Gandhian philosophy among the youth of today. The centre organizes numerous events and activities for students with an aim to generate awareness on Gandhiji‘s values and ideology. There is a designated ‗Gandhi Smriti Ashram‘ reading and reference room in the library wherein books on, and by Gandhiji are displayed. Students have unrestricted access to the books and are encouraged to read and contemplate over the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. It is modeled after the Sevagram Ashram in Wardha and has a peaceful environment for quiet study and relaxation. The centre posts relevant thought-provoking quotations and articles on Gandhiji throughout the campus on a regular basis. Value based sessions, orientations and lectures are conducted on campus in collaboration with various departments of the college as well as other esteemed colleges and institutions across Mumbai on versatile topics such as understanding Gandhi‘s message of life, symbolism of Khadi, Gandhi‘s views on education, vegetarianism, mindfulness and universal oneness among many others. Shri Mohanlal Pathak Endowment Lecture Series on ―Gandhian Principles and Values‖ by Dr. Bharat Pathak and family is specially curated wherein eminent Gandhian scholars are invited to deliver lectures. The centre also arranges movie screenings for films and documentaries such as Richard Attenborough‘s ‗Gandhi‘, ‗Lage Raho Munnabhai‘, and ‗The Making of the Mahatma‘. Resource persons are invited to conduct workshops on building self-esteem, creative writing, i self-reflection, demonstrations of Charkha and Kusti spinning along with the annual seven part workshop series on ‗I Transform, India Transforms‘ in collaboration with Chinmaya Mission Youth Wing. Additionally, an international symposium on Gandhi‘s legacy in different parts of the world, especially South Africa was been co-organized with Goethe University, Frankfurt, University of Mumbai and Constructions of Home and Belonging – Indian Diaspora Centre (CoHaB IDC) on ‗Current Dynamics and Future Perspectives of India-Africa Relations‘ (2018). A Gandhian Studies Intervention.‖ Annual field visits to Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and Sevagram Ashram in Wardha are organized for students and faculty, especially on occasions such as Gandhi Nirvan Divas and Gandhi Jayanti. Students visit Yusuf Meherally Centre, Panvel, Museum Society of Bombay and National Gallery for Modern Art for photo exhibitions and music tributes to Gandhiji. The students are also taken on visits to different places of worship in Mumbai to promote respect for each other‘s religion and faith. As part of the centre, students contribute likewise by displaying a collection of books on or by Gandhiji during the Annual Book Exhibition organized by the library. Student volunteers also take part in ‗Swachh Bharat Abhiyan‘ cleanliness drives, mangrove tree plantation drives and peace rallies with the NSS Unit of the college. The centre organizes various cultural and literary intercollegiate competitions such as essay writing, postcard writing, bhajan singing and Shri. Dattatraya Ramchandra Parulekar state level painting competition based on Mahatma Gandhi and conducts an annual examination on Gandhiji‘s life in collaboration with Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal. One day seminar is organized yearly on various themes such as ‗Good Citizenship‘, ‗Self- reliance‘, ‗Understanding Diversity, Respecting Pluralism‘ where key note addresses, interactive sessions and bhajans, dance and dramatic performances based on Gandhian principles are followed by a prize distribution ceremony for all winners of different competitions conducted by the college. Notably, the centre has undertaken various research projects such as publications titled ‗Advocating Peace Education and a Strategy for a Better Tomorrow‘ by Dr. Shilpa Charankar and ‗Understanding Differences, Respecting Diversity: Advocating Peace Education through Gandhian Values for Holistic Development‘ by Mrs. Vidya Subramanian for the 19th World Congress of IAEWP (2016) on the theme of ‗Peace ii Education for Good Governance‘, a reader on ‗Understanding Difference: Respecting Diversity‘ highlighting the significance of Gandhi with respect to religion (2016), a monograph ―In Search of Kasturba: An Auto/biographical Reading of the Mahatma and his Wife‖ (2017), an undergraduate research project under the P.U.K.A.R Youth Fellowship Program titled ―Problems and Strengths of Students from Non-English Medium while Studying in a College of English Medium‖, which draws from Gandhi‘s views on use of English and the Vernacular languages and paper presentation titled by Dr. Mala Pandurang and Ms. Huda Sayyed on ―The Good Wife: Kasturba and M. K. Gandhi in South Africa‖ for the International Interdisciplinary Conference on A Mahatma in Waiting: The Diasporic Gandhi Revisited on his 150th Birth Anniversary (2019). In order to further develop awareness, the college has introduced two different courses for one semester based on the Gandhian model of life. A Life Skills Course where the life experiences of Gandhiji are used to identify and instill various life skills such as intrapersonal abilities, interpersonal relationships, critical thinking, time-management, leadership and decision- making to encourage the students to effectively deal with the challenges faced in everyday life. An enriching Universal Human Values Course to make students learn the relevance of universal human values by providing them the means to inculcate and develop personal and moral codes of conduct, practice emotional competency and understand the importance of ethical decision making thus inspiring an integral human being, realizing their full potential. The Gandhian Studies Centre is dedicated to promoting Gandhian values and actions which are essentially relevant in every walk of life even today. iii Introduction The world has changed dramatically over the last 150 years since Gandhi lived and worked. However, the tribulations and challenges faced by the Mahatma, and his responses to the same, remain relevant to date. Gandhi‘s timeless principles continue to guide us to a just and better world. To mark the conclusion of the sesquicentennial year of Mahatma Gandhi the centre brings forward a collection of essays on the continued relevance of Gandhian values in the 21st Century. Engaging with the Mahatma is a collected rendition of perspectives. The collection brings forth insightful commentaries through creative writing and academic reflections, thus encompassing an elucidating journey that contemplates, revives and paves way for a novel dialogue with the enigmatic Mahatma. Sabhi Log Apne Jan, written by Dr. Ramdas Bhatkal, the implication of which he asserts is difficult to grasp. The essay highlights Gandhi's evolving notion of religion right from the very beginning of his career as a barrister in England. It was through a continuous exposure to religious texts and his engagement with people of varied religious beliefs that enabled him to conceptualise the foundational message that was common to all the religions, one that relies on morality. This enabled him to scrutinize the mysticism of Hinduism as well. According to Bhatkal, it is this process of constant contemplation and study that aided Gandhi to reject the idea of conversion or reconversion as all religions have a strong moral base but may not be free from defects. Gandhi thus advocated equal respect for all religions – ‗Sarva Dharma‘. Gandhi followed this approach in all aspects of life, instances of which can be noticed abundantly, inspiring many great leaders all over the world. In Gandhi in Central and Eastern Europe, Dr. Roxana-Elisabeta Marinescu firstly examines the extent to which Gandhi and his role in India's development