Message of Non-violence and Gram Swaraj Echoes in Jaura on Gandhi Jayanti

JOURA DISTRICT-MORENA | दिनेश सिकरवार

Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in Jaura

On October 2, 2026, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, a series of dignified programs were organized at the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram in Jaura, Morena district. The event aimed to re-establish the messages of non-violence, Gram Swaraj, and Sarva Dharma Samabhav (harmony of all religions).

Tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Gandhian peace emissary the late Dr. S.N. Subbarao ‘Bhai Ji’, and Dr. Ran Singh by offering garlands of hand-spun cotton to their portraits. A floral tribute was also offered at Bhai Ji's samadhi, recalling his work and contributions on this sacred land.

The program was skillfully conducted by the Ashram's secretary, Dilip Jain. A special highlight was the Sarva Dharma Prayer Sabha, where collective singing of bhajans like 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' and 'Ishwar Allah Tero Naam' emphasized universal values of truth, non-violence, and harmony of all religions.

During this prayer meeting, attendees not only wished for world peace but also prayed for the happiness and prosperity of all, a core tenet of Gandhian ideology. The event underscored the enduring relevance of Gandhian ideals, with the Principal of Jaura Excellence School, Munnar Lal Yadav, describing Mahatma Gandhi's life as an invaluable source of inspiration for contemporary society. He highlighted that Gandhi Ji's lifestyle, based on truth, non-violence, and ethics, remains as relevant today as it was during his time, signifying the eternal nature of his principles.

Dr. Dhirendra Sharma, a former Vice-Chancellor from Uttarakhand, referred to Jaura as Bhai Ji's 'tapassthali' (place of penance), a significant witness to social change and constructive work. He proposed that Gandhian ideals should be prominently included in the school curriculum to foster a deeper understanding and awareness of non-violence among the next generation, a positive step towards strengthening social values through education.

Senior litterateur Dr. Jagdish Shukla articulated that Gandhi Ji displayed extraordinary courage in challenging the mighty British Empire with non-violent weapons like truth and non-violence. He defined Gram Swaraj and self-reliance as cornerstones of Gandhian philosophy, emphasizing local self-governance and self-sufficiency, demonstrating Gandhi Ji's advocacy for not just political, but also social and economic freedom.

Former MLA Mahesh Dutt Mishra shared anecdotes from the lives of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi, specifically highlighting the dignity of labor. He clarified that the Charkha (spinning wheel) is not merely a tool for cloth production but a powerful symbol of self-reliance, economic freedom, and respect for labor, underscoring the need to re-establish the importance of labor in today's consumerist society.

Prafull Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the Ashram, demonstrated the significance of Khadi and its socio-economic impact by spinning yarn on a Charkha, inspiring the revival of Khadi and boosting the rural economy. A message from Dr. Rajgopal P.V. was read, strongly urging the younger generation to not just remember Gandhi Ji's ideas but to implement them in their daily lives. Students and teachers from Bhai Ji Bal Mandir English Medium School and local citizens participated with enthusiasm. Children were educated on Gandhi Ji's life values, hygiene, and principles of non-violence, encouraging them to internalize these ideals.

At the end of the program, Jimmy George, operator of Bhai Ji Bal Mandir, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and supporters. Several prominent citizens, including Haji Sakir Hameed Bhai, Laxminarayan Sharma, Kuldeep Tiwari, Naresh Shakya, Sudhanshu Mudgal, Sanjay Singh Jadon, Munesh Singh Jatav, Mahendra Singh Jadon, and Advocate Dinesh Singh Sikawar, were present. The atmosphere was imbued with the relevance of Gandhian thought and a deep commitment to the path of truth and non-violence shown by him. The event at the Ashram complex successfully served as an important medium to disseminate Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy to the masses and encourage its practical application.