Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi to Deliver Education for Justice Lecture

Mar 8, 2011

As part of its 2010 – 2011 Education for Justice theme of peace and reconciliation, The University of Scranton will host a lecture by Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and past president of Initiatives of Change International. A noted author and biographer, Gandhi will deliver the keynote address in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, the eve of the University’s annual Education for Justice teach-in. The event is free and open to the public.

For half a century, Gandhi has been engaged in international efforts for trust building, reconciliation and democracy and in battles against corruption and inequalities. Currently a research professor at the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gandhi has worked consistently for India-Pakistan and Hindu-Muslim reconciliation. Since 9/11, he has also tried to address the divide between the West and the world of Islam.

In 2009 and 2010, Gandhi served as president of Initiatives of Change (IofC) International, a non-governmental organization working for peace, reconciliation and human security worldwide. IofC has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and Participatory Status at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.

Gandhi’s most recent book, “A Tale of Two Revolts: India 1857 & the American Civil War” studies two 19th century wars occurring in opposite parts of the world at almost the same time. His previous book, “Mohandas: A True Story of a Man, His People and an Empire,” a biography of his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, received the prestigious Biennial Award from the Indian History Congress in 2007. It has since been published in several countries. In 2002 Gandhi received the Sahitya Akademi (India’s National Academy of Letters) Award for his “Rajaji: A Life,” a biography of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972), his maternal grandfather and a leading figure in India’s freedom movement, who became Governor General.

In 2004 Gandhi received the International Humanitarian Award from the city of Champaign, Ill., and in 1997 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Calgary (Canada) and an honorary doctorate of philosophy from Obirin University, Tokyo, Japan.

The Education for Justice Office promotes justice throughout The University of Scranton community through various programs, lectures and activities. The office wishes to educate students on the importance of justice, so they may act ethically when faced with justice themes in the future.


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