Saturday, October 3, 2009

2nd October-Gandhi Jayanti, International Non-Violence Day

1,460 students took the pledge to work for non-violence

“I shall endeavor to resolve all differences through dialogue and constitutional means and I shall strive to establish WORLD-PEACE…”, about 1,460 students of N.S.S. Unit, from 76 colleges of University of Mumbai joined hands with the millions of people all over the world and took the PLEDGE on 2nd October - International Non-Violence Day.
To commemorate 140th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the International Non-Violence Day as declared by United Nations, Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, N.S.S. Unit of University of Mumbai and World March for Peace and Non-Violence had jointly organized the mega event at Convocation Hall, University of Mumbai, Fort Campus.
The main theme of this programme was to raise awareness of non-violence, tolerance, full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect of diversity among the young generation.
Students carrying play-cards and banners depicting slogans like ‘No More Violence, Peace is our Mission’ marched from Churchgate & CST stations and gathered at the Convocation Hall, University of Mumbai, Fort Campus.
The Programme started with Gandhi bhajans & peace songs followed by the speeches of Dr. Chandra Krishnamurthy, Hon. Ag. Vice Chancellor & Prin. K. Venkatramani, Registrar of University of Mumbai. All the invitees emphasized students for promoting peace, truth and non-violence which is the need of the hour. The programme ends with the Pledge to work for peace & non-violence taken by the entire gathering which was administrated by Dr. P. N. Pabrekar, SLO, NSS Cell, Government of Maharashtra and with National Anthem.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

JAIL OFFICIAL’S EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH

10 jail officials along with 80 inmates of Arthur Road Jail
have appeared for Gandhi Peace Exam

The Jail Gandhi Peace examination conducted for prisoners by Mumbai Sarvoday Mandal was held at the Arthur Road Central Jail on Wednesday for the fourth consecutive year.
The aim of the examination is to bring about a change in the life of the inmates and to inculcate qualities of Satya and Ahimsa amongst them.
Though the examination is primarily meant for detainees, ever jail officials take pride in appearing for the examination. More than 80 inmates and 10 police officials participated in this exam. Apart from them the counselors, most of whom are MSWs; industrial trainers and the medical officer have also appeared for the examination.
The study material, comprising Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography and other literature by and on Gandhiji is sent to the inmates in advance for self-study. Lectures are also held to educate them about Gandhiji’s thoughts. The examinees have the options of appearing for the examination in English, Hindi, Marathi or Gujarati and they are allowed to ask for reference books for study, before the examination.
Amar Sawant, a AIDs counselor in the jail, who appeared for the examination said, “I has some misgivings about Gandhiji, but after reading the literature provided to the prisoners, I was enlightened and I changed my opinion about the Mahatma.”
Vairan Uttam, another examinee and a clinical psychologist, who has been handling the prisoners for just over month, said that the Gandhian literature will help him in dealing with the prisoners better.
The jailers also found the material provided to the examiners to be very useful. Senior Jailor Group I, Ashok Karkar stated that he had learnt about Gandhiji even in school, but the film Lage Raho Munnabhai helped people understand how to use Gandhiji’s teachings in daily life.
The Gandhian literature has had a great impact on Yashwant Shirsat, who has already spent 15 years in jails, likes to be the mediator in case of arguments or fights between the inmates of the jail.
The results of the examination are to be announced on 2nd October, Gandhi Jayanti and certificates of participation would be presented to the examinees that day.
On the occasion of 140th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of Non-violence, Sarvodaya Mandal is organizing Gandhi Peace Exam in 11 jails of Maharashtra where about 852 jail inmates along with many jail officials will appeared for Gandhi Peace exam in the month of October.

Friday, August 7, 2009

6TH AUGUST - HIROSHIMA DAY PEACE RALLY

6TH AUGUST - HIROSHIMA DAY PEACE RALLY

About 2000 Students participated and took the pledge to work for Peace & Nuclear-free World



Students carrying the banner depicting the condition of the earth before & after the nuclear war. Peace Rally organized by Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal and NSS Units of SNDT & Mumbai University. About 2000 students from 57 colleges, social activists, and peace-loving citizens in the city participated in the Peace Rally today to commemorate Hiroshima Day. Pledge to work for peace and nuclear-free world was taken by the entire gathering at the end of the Rally.


About 2000 students from 57 colleges, social activists, and peace-loving citizens in the city marched from Azad Maidan to Hutatma Chowk today on Hiroshima Day. Peace march was organized by Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal and NSS Units to mark the anniversary of the devastation of Hiroshima with a deadly atomic attack by America during World War II & to join hands with the people of the world to make a nuclear-free world.


The devastation had such an effect that lakhs were killed in the atom bombing leaving several thousands crippled. The after effects of the bombing and radiation claimed over three lakhs lives over the years.


Peace Rally was lead by the students carrying the banner depicting the condition of the earth before & after the nuclear war. Students from various colleges were also carrying play-cards and banners depicting slogans like “No More Hiroshima”, and “We want bread, education and job; Not bombs”. Peace rally was started from Azad Maidan and concluded at Hutatma Chowk where a Pledge was taken by more than 2000 students to work for peace & a nuclear-free world. Prof. Arun Salunke, NSS Co-ordinator, University of Mumbai, administrated the Pledge.


Poster Exhibition about the devastation and screening of the film ‘A Mother’s Prayer’ on Hiroshima in various colleges of Mumbai were organized before 6th August to aware the students about the devastating effects of nuclear bomb.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Record-breaking Sale of Gandhi Books in just 5 days

On the occasion of 61st Gandhi Death Anniversary
Record-Breaking Sale of Gandhi Books of Rs. 3,10,000/- worth in just 5 Days

There was an overwhelming response to Gandhi Books Exhibition-cum-Sale. Gandhi Books of worth Rs. 3,10,000/- were sold within last 5 days from 27th to 31st January. 'An Autobiography' of Mahatma Gandhi, and a set of five important books, 'Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi' were the top-selling books at the exhibition. About 3500 copies of 'Gandhi's Autobiography' and 210 copies of 'Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi' were sold. We were happy to note that most of those who frequented the stall were youngsters.

To commemorate Gandhi's 61st Death Anniversary, 300 books on & by Gandhi, Vinoba & Sarvodaya were displayed & sold at 50% discount by Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal & Gandhi Book Centre with the financial assistance of ‘Babulnath Mandir Charities’ from 27th to 31st January at specially erected Mandap at Hutatma Chowk and at Gandhi Book Centre, Nana Chowk.

In the present context of increasing violence, terrorism & crime, Autobiography and other books of Mahatma Gandhi are inspiring many people all over the world. Gandhiji has left indelible footprints on the sand of time. Even after 61 years of his departure from the world, his thoughts and deeds have not waned.

More than 2.5 Lakh copies of 'An Autobiography' of Mahatma Gandhi in twelve Indian languages are being sold every year. After reading Gandhi books, many people have decided to follow the path of Truth and Non-Violence and are striving to sustain morality by practicing peaceful conflict resolution which is the need of the hour.