Institute of Gandhian Studies

Bajaj Dham, Gopuri - 442 114, Wardha, Maharashtra

Introduction

The Institute of Gandhian Studies (Gandhi Vichar Parishad) is an educational and public charitable institution that has been set-up one of the commemorative projects of the Jamanlal Bajaj Centenary Year. The objectives of the Institute identify the growing relevance of Gandhiji and the need for the need for providing opportunities for the study and application of his thought and methods.

More than five decades have passed since Gandhiji fell to the bullets of an assassin. But every year in these decades has only heightened the global awareness of the dimensions and the meaning of his message. A very real threat to survival is threatening humanity to look for alternative to the paths that have led it to the brink of extinction. Violence and war seem to have become counter-productive as instruments for settling differences or resolving conflicts. Giant strides in science and technology have no doubt added to the knowledge and power at the disposal of man, but not to the peace of mind in the individual or harmony in society, nor to the liquidation of want and poverty, illness and ignorance.

Sophistication in technology has not led to freedom, but have focused attention on the potential for increasing disparities; for centralization and concentration of power, the danger of divorcing the processes of production from the personality and creativity of the individual human being; the profligate and thoughtless depletion of non-replaceable natural resources, causing irreparable damage to and imbalance in the eco-system, in turn posing a threat to the survival of man and the natural and social ethos of the planet. The relentless pursuit of material goals has led to a grave crisis in the psyche of the individual and society.

These threats to its very existence have made humanity commence a search for:

• New means for the resolution of conflict and difference in opinion and outlook.

• Values that will promote individual liberty and progress while strengthening the forces of cohesion.

• A new blend of the spirit of science and the role that man has inherited consequent on his entry into realms that give him access to the power of the spirit.

• A new technology that will no longer result in alienation, robotization, dehumanization and exploitation, but enable man to exercise his creative talents and achieve liberty and equality.

• A new era in which government will rest on the principles of self-government, and humanity will out-grow narrow loyalties that can place a question mark before the survival of man.

Many thinkers and activities, in the world today, have begun to turn to the life, thoughts and methods of Mahatma Gandhi to look for solutions that can take humanity in this direction. Many countries have witnessed popular movements for freedom, equality and peace, which drew inspiration from the life and methods of Gandhi. Activities and thinkers of younger generation in the world looking to the alternative path that Gandhi showed, in the belief that his message and testament are of crucial significance to the survival of mankind.

Of all the influences that contributed to the making of the personality of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj none was greater than his close association with Gandhiji, and his implicit faith in the epochal significance of Gandhiji’s life, message and the Concept of Trusteeship. He asked Gandhiji to consider him as the Mahatma’s fifth son, preserving and transmitting the heritage of Gandhian thought to succeeding generations. The establishment of the Institute was thus a fitting memorial to the life and work of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj in this Birth Centenary year.

A Brief History

The Gandhiji Vichar Parishad has its roots in the early fifties, when some close associates of Gandhiji decided, shortly after his death, that there was a need for an institution which would undertake the scientific study and analysis of Gandhian Thought and methods for the benefit of the younger generation. The founding members included such eminent Gandhian scholars as Acharya J.B.Kriplani, Kaka Saheb Kalelkar, Shri J.C.Kumarappa, Shri K.G. Mashruwala, Shri Shankar Rao Deo, Shri G.Ramachandra and Shri Ravindra Varma.

Kaka Saheb Kalelkar was its first Chairman, and Shri Shankar Rao Deo and Shri Ravindra Varma were Sceretaies. The march of history and the demands of organization caused the Parishad to be merged into the Gandhi Smark Nidhi as the Tatva Prachar Vibhag (Ideology dissemination Department).

The Gandhi Vichar Parishad or the Institute of Gandhian Studies in its present form was established at Wardha in October 7,1987. Intially the Institute started its activities within the Campus of Mahatma Gandhi’s Ashram at Sevagram. In the course of time, it has been moved to its new campus at Gopuri. Shri Ravindra Varma, freedom fighter, Gandhian activities and scholar was until recently the Chairman of this Institute .He was the prime mover whose vision and work resulted in the establishment of the Gandhi Vichar Parishad with the active interest and full support of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, the then Chairman of the Jamnalal Bajaj, the then Chairman of the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.

The Board of Trustees of the institute at present consists of Retd. Justice C.S.Dharmadhikari, Chairman, Shri Ravindra Varma , Shri Narayan Jajoo, Shri Dhirubhai Mehta, Shri Rahul Bajaj and Shri Shekhar Bajaj.

Objectives

The object of the institute is to promote, organize, sponsor, undertake the study of the life and thought of Mahatma Gandhi as well as the predecessors of Gandhi and cotemporary thinkers and social revolutionaries who have drawn inspiration from Gandhi, or arrived at similar views as a result of their own experience and reflections, as also, to undertake comparative studies of the philosophy and methodology of Gandhiji and other thinkers and social revolutionaries, and to carry out the above abject:

• To undertake and organize the study of, and research on,

1. the life, work, philosophy and the methodology of Mahatma Gandhi,

2. the content and implication of Gandhian thought in all aspects and fields of social life;

3. the nature of social institutions and relationships from the Gandhian point of view;

4. concepts of development and social justice at micro-level, specially in rural/tribal areas, based on Gandhian ideas;

5. popular movements or programmes of action that have been/are undertaken in pursuit of the objective of a Gandhian social order or adopting methods that draw inspiration from the Gandhian social order or adopting methods that draw inspiration from the Gandhian approach of non-violence and peaceful social transformation; and,

6. current trends and events in the light of the Gandhian Philosophy;

• To organize and conduct courses study, training programmes, lectures, and seminars and conferences on matters that are relevant to the above mentioned objectives;

• To institute fellowships and scholarships at different levels , either for individuals working on their own or as research fellows in the Institute or other educational institutions, to promote study and research on various aspects of Gandhian thought and action;

• To organize and run a documentation-cum-indexing services to collect and disseminate information on the activities of institutions or individuals or movements that draw inspiration from Gandhian ideas;

• To organize extension work for the application and dissemination of Gandhian ideas;

• To organize consultancy and counseling services for the benefit of individual/institution engaged in Gandhian studies and the constructive programme;

• To undertake the publication of journals, magazines, tracts, monographs, books, reports of seminars and other study material relevant to the above mentioned objects;

• To organize and assist in the maintenance of libraries and reading rooms to promote popular study of Gandhian thought;

• To co-operate with other institutions and organizations engaged in similar activities,

• To collect and disseminate information/data on institution and individuals engaged in constructive work or the study dissemination of Gandhian thought; and,

• To promote and carry on research in various aspects of Gandhian thought and activities, to carry out such activities and studies on a scientific basis and to work the application of science and technology for rural development

The objectives of the Institute are clearly reflected in the courses of study and guidance that it offers, both to the younger generation and to the more mature activists and workers.