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Article on Lectures on Mahatma Gandhi in Japan

Mahatma Gandhi is the most well known Indian in the world today. His birthday on October 2nd is celebrated world over as the international day of Non-violence and is a historic milestone in humanities quest for global non-violence. Gandhi’s life was one of dedication and simplicity, and he valued non-violence and truth as the guiding principles of his life.

 
With the background of having lived in Gandhi Ashram in Sevagram, Shobhana Radhakrishna has dedicated her life to take socially relevant message of non-violence to every corner of the world, to make people understand Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of life, his philosophy of universal brotherhood, peace and non-violence.
 
Lecture at Insitute of Oriental Philosophy, Soka University on 5th October 09
Lecture at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy on 5th October,09  
Recently, from 1st to7th October 2009, Shobhana Radhakrishna delivered a series of six lectures in Japan. These lectures were sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India and hosted by the Embassy of India in Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Institute of Asian Culture at Sophia University, Institute of Oriental Philosophy in Soka University, Initiative for Change, Suginami City Office and Suginami Association for Cultural Exchange and was supported by the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association- India.

These lectures were well received by the Japanese audience comprising of scholars, students, researchers and peace activists. This event became all the more relevant as Japan is playing a responsible role in the international community as a peace fostering nation by contributing to world peace and development
  


Lecture on 2nd October 09 at the Embassy of India ,Tokyo
Lecture at Suginami City Library center on 7th October 09
  

The sole aim of the lectures was to emphasize the importance of discipline in an individuals' life, and make the people aware of the great man's philosophy so that people put their heart into understanding Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi’s thought and life can guide the people in any part of the world as it has the strength to inspire and bring about a change.

These lectures in English with Japanese translation, gave an insight into the Mahatma’s life that may not be found in books but is known only to people close to him and covers aspects about Mahatma Gandhi the man and his roots, Gandhi’s concept of non-violence and peace, Gandhi the man of action, Satyagraha- concept and application, Gandhi, the Spiritual Politician, Gandhi and Buddhism, applying the spirit of Gandhi in the society today, Gandhi will live on …

During this trip she had a meeting with the Mayor of Suginami City, Mr. Hiroshi Yamada. The Mayor expressed his deep respect for Mahatma Gandhi and explained his initiative of spreading the teachings of Gandhi in Suginami city as part of fostering and strengthening relationship between India and Japan. She also paid homage to the life sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Dokusho no Mori Koen in Suginami city accompanied by the officials of the city office
   With Mr. Yamada Hiroshi, mayor of Suginami City

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A meeting was also held with Prof. Tsuyoshi Nara, Emeritus Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies who is a leading votary of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy in Japan.

In the era of rampant violence these kinds of events play a vital role in promoting dialogues for whole hearted cooperation with people engaged in peace mission for highlighting that peace is a positive force and that it can still move the human race away from darkness towards light.
Paying homage to the statue of Mahatma gandhi in Suginami City  

Shobhana Radhakrishna is the Chief Executive of the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association-India (SWYAA-India) which is a registered NPO of delegates from India who have participated in the Ship for World Youth program organized by the Cabinet office of Government of Japan.