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.

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.