IGS at MGKV: Spreading Gandhian values since 1997

VARANASI: The Institute of Gandhian Studies (IGS), established at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth (MGKV) in 1997, is committed to preserving, conserving and spreading the values that the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi stood for.

Dr Banshi Dhar Pandey, director of the institute, said, “The institute was established at the initiative of the then government at the Centre. Since its inception, it has been engaged in conserving ideals and values of Gandhiji. It is working to spread these ideals and values among the people. The institute also creates awareness about the path shown by Gandhiji for village development and environment.”

He said that the institute’s main objective is to promote study and research of values and ideas of Gandhiji, in order to conserve them. He said that several programmes are organised at the institute from time to time throughout the year in order to acquaint younger generations about Gandhian values.

Pandey said that the institute also runs an MA course in Gandhian Studies with the same objective. Ph D on various ideas of Gandhiji is also done.

Dr Vinod Kumar Singh, in-charge of the department of journalism and mass communication, MGKV, said that the institute organises a number of programmes to promote values and Gandhian philosophy.

Meanwhile, Vallabhacharya Pandey, a social activist organised a puppet show in and around Varanasi, ‘Mohan Se Mahatma’ (From Mohan To Mahatma) in 12 states in the last two years, including UP, to narrate the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that it is an effort to apprise the young generation of Gandhiji’s values, ideas and philosophy.

The other cities where the puppet show has been staged include Ballia, Ghazipur, Mau, Chandauli and Mirzapur.