Civilization is essentially a journey of nonviolence, Gandhi said. For him, nonviolence is the law of life. The world has come to realize this fact, as Gen. McArthur said, violence ‘is not only fundamentally wrong but contains the germs of self-destruction’. The work of Gandhi demonstrated the efficacy of nonviolence as an attitude and a system of conducting personal and public life in a manner that is just, peaceful, and sustainable.
This assumes great significance in the 21st century, as modernity has made every individual global in one’s potential. With Internet, satellite communication, global economy, our every action draws a world of energy and make us global in our strength and ability. In the words of Alfred North Whitehead, the worlds “arise and coalesce” in becoming an individual what she is today. Individual life has gained ‘vishwaroop (global stature). In other words, society (global society) has become the very body of every individual. There is no individual without society today. Even for self interest one has to be socially conscious. Not being socially conscious is therefore contrary to the nature of modern life.
Not being social, but pursuing global living is the cause at the root of global challenges. From personal deceit to ecological damage we witness in life ethical transgression at every front.In the pluralistic human society, narrow individualist sentiments try to topple the prospect of the very life on earth.
With the view to introduce Gandhian nonviolence to the new generation, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan in association with Gandhi International, Academic University College for Non-Violence and Human Rights-AUNOHR, MGM University and International Centre of Nonviolence, Durban University of Technology offer a Four-Month online training program on nonviolence and peace.
