There is No Way to Peace – Peace is the Way

On Saturday, 03 February 2024, at 15.00 hrs, the Gandhi Foundation Annual Multifaith event returns to the Unitarian Church, Golders Green – 31 1/2 Hoop Lane, London NW11 8BS.

Entry is FREE, and all are welcome. There will be an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance and light refreshments will be served at the end of the celebration.

Details of the programme running order will be shared closer to the event.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed and will be able to be accessed using the link and details shown below.

ZOOM LINK – Gandhi Foundation Multifaith Service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83123128983?pwd=a0JIMlhBaGRmbVhvWjVmamJoSHRIUT09

Meeting ID: 831 2312 8983
Passcode: 216313

The Gandhi Foundation Annual Lecture 2023 took place on Thursday 19 October 2023, at the Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London, W1K 1HF

For the 2023 lecture, actor Paul Bazely explained how he ‘became Gandhi’ for the National Theatre’s production of ‘The Father and the Assassin’.

A recording of the event can be viewed on the Gandhi Foundation YouTube channel.

A transcript of the event is also available for download.

+++ UPDATE +++

As you will notice, the sound quality of the lecture was compromised so Paul Bazely very kindly re-recorded his lecture as a studio recording. You can listen to this by either visiting Paul’s Soundcloud channel or by using a link from the Gandhi Foundation website.

Gandhi Foundation Annual Lecture 2023: Paul Bazely on ‘Becoming Gandhi’
Thursday 19 October 2023, 18.30-20.00, Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London, W1K 1HF

In his lecture, actor Paul Bazely will explain how he ‘Became Gandhi’ for the National Theatre’s production of ‘The Father and the Assassin’.

Paul will explain the play and what it has tried to achieve by setting out the perspectives of both Mohandas Gandhi and his assassin, Godse.

Paul will then explain what playing Gandhi has meant to him as an actor, and a person growing up in Britain with Indian heritage. He will set out how seeing the Attenborough film as a child, and then learning about nonviolence in more depth, and how to spin (from Asha Buch, from Khadi London) was key to him preparing for, and performing, the role of Gandhi on stage.

Paul will also reflect on the importance of Gandhi and his philosophy today, particularly Khadi. He will explain how the play and also the work of Khadi London – who also provided all the fabric used in the play on stage – and its partners in India are vital to keeping Gandhi’s life and message relevant – particularly for young people – in a world where consumerism and throw away fashion dominate.

You can book tickets for the Gandhi Foundation Annual Lecture 2023 by using the link below.

The Nehru Centre will also host Khadi London’s Natural Fibres Exhibition from 16–20 October. We’ll have further details about the event closer to the date.

The photo is Courtesy of the National Theatre, and photographer Marc Brenner.

Gandhi Nirvan Divas
Monday 23rd January 2023 08:28 EST
Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square, London

Every year, 30 January is observed as Gandhi Nirvan Divas – the day Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was assassinated in 1948.

Not only in India, Gandhi Nirvan Divas is also observed in other parts of the world, especially in the UK where The India League and the High Commission of India mark this day every year at Tavistock Square and Parliament Square in London. The event at Tavistock Square started with a speech and floral tribute from the Indian High Commissioner, and was followed by invited dignitaries including the Mayor of Camden borough, MPs, Peers and President of The India League. Gandhiji’s favourite bhajans were then sung by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan students.

On January 30, 1948, at 5:17PM Mahatma Gandhi along with his grandnieces, was on his way to the garden of Birla House to address a prayer meeting. This was when Nathuram Godse fired three bullets into his chest from a pistol at close range. Mahatma Gandhi’s last words are known to be ‘He Ram’. Today, the Birla House site is a memorial called Gandhi Smriti.

Every year, the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and three Service Chiefs gather at the samadhi at Rajghat Memorial, a place near Yamuna River in New Delhi and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

On Saturday, 21 January 2023, at 15.30 hrs, the Gandhi Foundation Annual Multifaith event returns to the Unitarian Church, Golders Green.

Entry is FREE, and all are welcome, with refreshments served.

The event this year will have a ‘green’ theme and will include contributions on the theme of Caring for the Planet: Caring for Humanity. There will also be a collection for Red Cross International Appeal.

We will share details of the programme running order closer to the event.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed and will be able to be accessed using the link and details shown below.

ZOOM LINK – Gandhi Foundation Multifaith Service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83123128983?pwd=a0JIMlhBaGRmbVhvWjVmamJoSHRIUT09

Meeting ID: 831 2312 8983
Passcode: 216313

The Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award 2022 was presented to Esther Trienekins of Action Village India on 27 October at the House of Lords, following the Annual Lecture. 

Action Village India, based in the UK, works with seven grassroots organisations across India and ‘believes that every man, woman and child in rural India has the right to take control of their lives and to prosper in fair, equal and inclusive communities.’ All of the rural development projects supported by the organisation are delivered, devised and managed in partnership with local non-government organisations (NGOs). You can discover more about Action Village India, the events and the projects supported by visiting their website.

Esther has recently travelled to India to meet with activists in different organisations and to see first-hand the valuable work carried out in local communities.

Esther’s acceptance speech can be heard on the recent Gandhi Foundation Annual Lecture recording.