The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, hosted a special commemorative event today to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Fellows, scholars, officers, and staff assembled to honor the Father of the Nation, reflecting on his enduring legacy of truth, non-violence, and moral integrity.
The proceedings commenced with a floral tribute at the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Adding a poignant touch to the event, Miss Ashnoor Kaur, a young member of the IIAS family, presented a poetry recitation dedicated to Gandhi’s life and philosophy, emphasizing the timeless ethical and humanistic values he championed.
Delivering the keynote address on “Mahatma Gandhi and the Contemporary Context,” Prof. Devi Prasad Tewari, Fellow at IIAS, explored the multi-faceted dimensions of Gandhian thought. He stressed that Gandhi’s teachings should not be treated merely as historical milestones, but as an active framework for self-reflection and modern social dialogue. Prof. Tewari highlighted Gandhi’s steadfast belief in the purity of means over ends, reminding the audience of the constant need for moral responsibility in personal and civic life.
Presiding over the function, Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director of IIAS, highlighted Gandhi’s pivotal role in shaping both Indian and international intellectual thought. In his presidential remarks, Prof. Chaturvedi noted that Gandhi’s pioneering experiments with truth and non-violence fundamentally transformed global socio-political discourse. He urged the gathering to view Gandhi Jayanti as a vital reminder to practice self-discipline, social responsibility, and human empathy in everyday life.
The event was anchored and moderated by Dr. Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Librarian and Academic Resource Officer, who outlined the theme of the gathering and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the dignitaries and attendees.
In alignment with directives from the Union Ministry of Education, a Swachhata (Cleanliness) Pledge was also administered during the event. Participants collectively pledged to maintain personal and environmental cleanliness, committing to integrate hygiene as a sustained habit in their daily routine.
The commemorative function witnessed active participation from National Fellows, Tagore Fellows, IUC Associates, resident scholars, and the broader IIAS community.
Sponsored
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
