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Editorial Team:
Executive Editor:
Anurag Gangal
Editors:
Sahlinder Singh Jamwal
Renu Nanda
Yog Raj Sharma
Assistant Editors:
Bharat Bhushan Anand
Ranjeet Kalra
Sub Editors:
Kuldeep Raj Sharma
Karan Bir Singh
Harveen Singh
The view expressed and the facts stated in this Journal, published in March
every year, are those of the writers and they do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Gandhian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of
Jammu, Jammu. The decision of the editors / referees about the selection of
manuscripts for publication shall be final.
EDITORIAL
This is the inaugural double issue of annual research and activities
journal Gandhi Ganga for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 coming out as
an official publication of the Gandhian Centre for Peace and Conflict
Studies at University of Jammu. Indeed, here is Gandhi Ganga's
special issue to commemorate 100 years of the birth of Mahatma
Gandhi's Satyagraha in South Africa on 11 September 1906. Gandhi
Ganga will now be published in the month of April every year. It will
be our constant attempt to go for bi-annual publication of Gandhi
Ganga. As such, it will then be published in April and September
every year.
Its objectives are dissemination of peace and conflict related
information, research activities, academic interactions and
meaningful expansion of the frontiers of knowledge and action
towards Mahatma Gandhi's "practical-idealism".
In our efforts of realising objectives of Gandhian Centre for Peace
and Conflict Studies at Jammu University, our Vice Chancellor,
Professor Amitabh Mattoo and University Grants Commission have
always proved to be the real guiding spirit and effective support.
Without their meaningful and creative encouragement, even a single
leaf of this research and activity journal could not have been written.
We owe Gandhi Ganga entirely to Professor Amitabh Mattoo, UGC
and Professor Deepshikha Kotwal, Head, Department of English,
University of Jammu. Professor Kotwal has stood by our side, as it
were, even in the difficult times of the Gandhian Centre of University
of Jammu, Jammu.
Gandhi Ganga is also intended to be a unique research and activities
journal in a number of ways. Gandhian Centre aims at launching a
long term global peace movement through Gandhi Ganga to help
evolve and ensure ever more permanent peaceful comity of nations
through nonviolence, truth non-possession, non-stealing and a wider
and larger perspective of brahmcharya. In this attempt, Gandhi
Ganga will also go for an unceasing quest for highlighting and
sharpening the Gandhian tools of conflict management, conflict
resolution and conflict transformation.
Gandhian Centre is currently functioning like an open institution
without walls where truth is realised through self-sustaining and self-
disciplining free wills of all individuals, academics and activities
aspiring for a better world to live in. We, indeed, welcome all authors,
Gandhi Ganga
activists and individuals to contribute to the cause of world peace in
any relevant area of their interest through the channels of Gandhi
Ganga.
There is, however, one very clear seven-fold editorial policy of
Gandhi Ganga aiming for excellence towards near-perfection if not
perfection: (1) Every contribution to Gandhi Ganga must have
necessary references, proof and depth for the quest of peace. (2) As
regards references, Gandhi Ganga will follow JNU Research
Mannual 2006. (3) For the purposes of readability and presentation,
references will be printed in the journal anent academic and other
contributions. (4) Without references, no contribution will be
considered for publication. (5) All academic contributions to
Gandhi Ganga will be referred to concerned experts in the area for
final decision before publication. (6) The identities of the experts
and the authors will remain confidential.
In the present issue of Gandhi Ganga, apart from periodic, report of
Gandhian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies' activities, a few
topical and academic columns and articles are also there. There are
permanent columns such as "Quotes" with relevant quotations;
"Gandhi today" with original quotations of Mahatma Gandhi
concerning globalization; and "What needs to be Done" with highly
diverse fields such as Education in India; Peace and Conflict
Outlook; Academic Writing; Psychological viewpoint on Mahatma
Gandhi; Gandhi and Conflict Resolution; Gandhi and Indian
Foreign Policy; and Birth of Gandhi's Satyagraha etcetera
alongwith a column on "Book Reviews".
The most interesting part of Gandhi Ganga apparently is its
perennial focus on continued effectiveness found in Gandhian
ideas vis-à-vis the present-day world anAd its different challenges
before the humanity at large.
We at Gandhi Ganga hope to receive full cooperation and genuine
feedback from all our readers and volunteers. The Gandhi Ganga
family wishes all the best to entire comity of peace loving people
for the coming New Year in 2007.
Editorial 3
Birth of Satyagraha 7
Report 9
Quotes 31
Gandhi today
· Gandhi and Globalization 33
· Academic Writings 35
· Mahatma Gandhi: A Man of Action 37
Book review
· Gandhian and Beyond 50
Prospects 52
...all Indian men, women and
children eight years of age
and above were required to
(i) register with the autho-
rities, (ii) submit their finger
prints and (iii) acquire a cer-
tificate which they were to
carry with them at all times.
Defaulters were to lose their
right of residence and were
liable to be imprisoned, fined
or deported from Transvaal.
This ordinance got into effect
as the Asiatic Registration
Act on 31 July 1907. Gandhi
called it a “Black Act”. It
occasioned the first campaign
of nonviolence as corporate
action. On 11 September
1906, a large number of
Indians in South Africa had
publicly pledged themselves
to boycott the bill.
Gandhi Ganga
have also visited GCPCS for special lectures on Gandhi and World
Peace.
As such, the GCPCS is moving into diversified fields for widening
the Gandhian expanse of human fabric and understanding. The
intensity of purpose and quality of work are also having their
levels of quite satisfactory energy and right implementation levels.
Gandhi Ganga 11
Cooperation from Colleagues,
Students and Civil Society
Voluntary and sincere efforts of Professor Deepshikha Kotwal
from Department of English, Dr Renu Nanda from Education, Mr
Ranjit Kalra from Academic Staff College and Members of the
Advisory Committee of the Gandhian Centre. Professor Jigar
Mohammad from History; Dr V. N. Labh from Buddhist Studies;
Professor Ramnika Jalali from Sanskrit; Professor Deep Sahi
from Zoology; Mr Vikram Sahi from Library's Computer
Systems Analysis; Ms Indira Rathore, Principal, Government
Degree College for Women, Parade; Professor Bharat Bhushan
Anand from Maulana Azad Memorial College, Jammu; Professor
Naresh Padha from Physics; Dr Sangeeta Thapliyal, Mr Happy
Mohan Jacob, Dr Muneer Alam, Dr V.V. Nagendra Rao and Dr
Mathews Joseph C. from Centre for Strategic and Regional
Studies; Professor Naubat Ram Sharma from Education; Dr
Dipanker Sengupta; Dr Mohammad Tajuddin from Political
Science; Professor Ashok Aima and Professor Meenakshi Keelam
from Management Studies have helped the Gandhian Centre in
standing upright.
Gandhian Centre at University of Jammu (JU) is also working in
permanent collaboration with Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti
at New Delhi. GCPCS at JU is also functioning with Gandhi Sewa
Sadan at Jammu in quite a few activities anent villages and use of
Khadi. Ms Sushma Chowdhary as trustee and Dr Ved Ghai as
Chairman of Gandhi Sewa Sadan have extended their cooperation
to the Gandhian Centre on their own. The Gandhian Centre and
Jammu University is very thankful to them in this act of realising
common goal of expanding the frontiers of Gandhian orientation
and thinking among masses and youth alike. A local non-
governmental unregistered organisation Disha with Mr Sumeet as
Chairman has also come forward to work with the Gandhian
Centre at JU.
Dance Drama on Gandhi's Life at GCPCS JU Interactive Sessions with Youth at JU on Gandhi
during National Seminar
Gandhi Ganga 13
6. Conducting surveys, debates and theatre activities on
Mahatma Gandhi.
7. Distributing relevant Gandhian literature on Mahatma
Gandhi not only among J&K youth but also amidst South
Asian community and also to prisoners in Jails.
8. Publishing (under process) select special lectures on
Mahatma Gandhi and relevant subjects.
9. Preparing to launch a one year Post-Graduate Diploma by
next year.
Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, JU, Faculty, Student, Researchers and Members of
Presides at Special Lecture of Dr. Kiran Bedi Civil Society Present at the Lecture
Gandhi Ganga 15
festival was first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir. After this,
National Seminar cum Dance Drama was organised from 25 April
to 27 April 2005. Apart from Keynote Address of Dr Savita Singh
and Presidential speech of Professor Amitabh Mattoo, there were
quite a few other academic presentations. All this activity brought
people from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir.
Then Shri Tushar Gandhi came to GCPCS for a week long
programme of Special Lecture and other activities of going to poor
people and villages in border areas and displaced people's Camps.
All these activities of GCPCS have not only been exciting but also
highly educative for youth and civil society in Jammu.
At Jakh Village
Gandhi Ganga 17
Tushar Gandhi's Special Lecture with Professor Amitabh Mattoo
Presiding as Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Jammu
GCPCS Director
Speaking at Jail
Gandhi Ganga 19
Participants in National Seminar on Gandhi at GCPCS, JU
Gandhi Ganga 21
Gandhian Centre at University of Jammu is aiming at spreading
Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and self-reliance. As such,
almost every section of society is being involved in various peace,
cultural and other related activities.
Vandita, Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Mrs Ajita Mattoo, Ishita and Dr Savita Singh
at Gandhi Theatre Performance at JU
Gandhi Ganga 23
Bhajan Sandhya being inaugurated by Pundit Ashutosh Magotra
Bhajan Sandhya
Gandhi Ganga 25
Media Coverage
Gandhi Ganga 27
Media Coverage
Gandhi Ganga 29
Media Coverage
Gandhi Ganga
Removal of untouchability means not merely touching
the Harijans (untouchables), but also looking upon them
as our own kith and kin, in other words, treating them in
the same way as we would our own brothers and sisters.
None is high, none low.
28.11.1944
How can one in whose mind passions keep surging ever realise
Truth? The upsurge of passions in the mind is like a tempest in
the ocean. Only that helmsman remains safe in the storm who
holds fast to the helm. Likewise, he along triumphs who seeks
refuge in Ramanama (the name of God) when his mind is
restless.
30.11.1944
The great lesson that we learn from the life of Mirabai* is that
she renounced her all - even her husband - for the sake of God.
* A great devotee of Lord Krishna.
5.12.1944
Gandhi Ganga
Vocabulary emerges with exactitude of an original piece of work.
Dictionaries, thesauruses and words of power from regular
reading of newspapers are then not required so much. They
actually spoil the pleasure of reading, writing and their natural
tenor. Newspapers and other such means are helpful only from the
angle of obtaining information only.
There is, indeed, no alternative to hard work with deep
involvement while going for academic writing. Only then inner
conflicts of an academic writer can be solved. Even the knowledge
of grammar is also not so much required here. It evolves on its
own.
Gandhi Ganga
Gandhi, in general, may therefore, be regarded as an expert in
epistemology, philosophy and use of scientific methods also.
Although he often preferred to go beyond established contours of
scientific methods through the use of his intuition and inner
consciousness. He used these two meta-scientific tools in the
realms of reason and human consciousness as well!
Gandhi Ganga 43
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
Education in India
Karan Bir Singh
There is need to think over following basic questions once again
separately on a national level:
What is education? What is information? What is indoctrination?
What is knowledge? What is self-awareness? What is an
examination? What is self-assessment? What is vocational
education (sic) / training?
What is merit? What is performance? What is professionalism?
What is excellence? What is perfection?
What are various purposes and aims behind these thirteen
activities, processes and systems?
What is the relationship between democracy and all above
mentioned fundamental pointers?
Is utterly examination orientation of the education system really
fruitful?
What is the relationship between professional training for
obtaining jobs, on-job training and “education”?
Until answers in proper perspective are found to these questions,
India and Indians cannot have respite from their evils of poverty,
unemployment and exploitation through foreign aid etcetera. Self-
reliance will remain a distant dream and security of the nation will
slip away time and again.
World Food Scarcity
One easy way of removing scarcity of food the world over is
vegetarianism. There are over one billion hungry people in the
world today. If everyone every human person opts for
vegetarianism, world will have enough food for every citizen of
this spaceship earth!
How will this be possible?
“It is elementary my dear Watson”!
A Sherlock Holmes is not needed to answer this.
Gandhi Ganga
In the absence of a general belief in the power of nonviolence and
love, i.e., truth, this pattern must still be strengthened despite
continuing armaments race and “overkill” capacities of WMDs or
nuclear, biological and chemical (NBCs) weapons. These weapons
cannot provide us security inasmuch as they are there for mutual
massive destruction and spreading terror. These weapons do not
defend us. They are meant to kill during wars and terrorise during
peacetime. About thirty countries already possess these WMDs.
Anti-tank nuclear bullets are also in use. Nearly 100, 000 nuclear
bombs are also there among these states. United States and Russia
alone share more than half of this arsenal.
Only less than an iota of present-day stockpiles of armaments was
there in Gandhi's time. Practical-idealism of Gandhi emerges even
more clearly when he says in this context:
It [nonviolence] is of universal applicability. Nevertheless, perfect
nonviolence, like Absolute Truth, must forever remain beyond our
reach……Perfect nonviolence is impossible so long as we exist
physically, for we would want some space at least to occupy. Perfect
nonviolence whilst you are inhabiting the body is only a theory like
Euclid's point or straight line, but we have to endeavour every
moment of our lives.
This impossibility of “perfect nonviolence” does not prevent an
initiative in this direction. As long as there is absence of general,
fundamental, practical and political belief in the efficacy of
nonviolence as a way of life, till then at least a Nonviolent National
Defence Army, Navy and Air Force can be evolved on Gandhian
lines of nonviolent spirit and nonviolence of the brave. This
nonviolent national defence system can work alongside existing
defence forces in every country.
Gandhi Ganga
Manipulations and perversions of civil society in this age of
globalisation are presenting intriguing trends:
µ Bringing together of global trade and economy to a
notable extent.
µ Smaller traders, investors, entrepreneurs, and industrial
units facing far greater challenges.
µ Increasing burden of poverty, population, pollution,
proliferation of armaments and (precarious) peace, i.e.,
'five Ps' on Afro-Asian and Latin American (AALA)
countries.
µ Emergence of United States and Europe as relatively more
stable global econimic and political peace zones of the
world.
µ Widening framework of work and space for international
actors, organisations and operators.
µ World peace through WMDs deterrence basd on
dwindling foundations of mutual terror.
µ Terrorist groups having their own share from state-of-the-
art weapons.
µ Preventing a situation of a third world war through
institutionalised terror.
µ Security threat from terrorism and 'War on Terrorism'.
These trends further complicate quest for a comprehensive
security perspective when most of the states in the world are
able to ensure at best 'a pretence of security' despite their
constantly burgeoning military budgets. Even for their limited
military security needs, these countries depend, expressly or
implicitly, either on other great powers or on so-called
'collective defence/ security'.
Such wasteful security scenario point to a need for a more
comprehensive policy of defence and security especially for
poorer AALA countries in general and South Asia in
particular.
Gandhi Ganga 49
BOOK REVIEW
Gandhi Ganga 51
PROSPECTS
Major Programmes of GCPCS
CONTRIBUTORS
l Kishor Sharma, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer, Department of
Education, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, J&K, India.
l Renu Gangal, Ph.D. Principal & Psychologist, Atman College
of Education, University of Jammu, J&K, India.
Vol. 1 No. 1-2, April 2006