GANDHI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS (OCT 2 to 6)
GANDHI MEMORIAL LECTURES SERIES (periodically)
SCIENTIFIC TRAINING IN YOGA, PRANAYAMA, MEDITATION AND HOLISTIC HEALTH
EXAMINATION ON THE LIFE OF MAHATMA GANDHI
EXAMINATION ON “INDIA FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM”
SUMMER COURSES
ON HISTRIONIC TALENTS FOR SCHOOL PUPIL AND WOMEN
OBSERVANCE OF GANDHIJI MARTYDOM DAY
GANDHI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS (OCT 2 to 6)
In celebration of Gandhiji’s Birthday, on October 2nd programmes are arranged. The staff of Gandhi Museum gather at 6.oo a.m. before Gandhi Memorial, decorate the memorial, Bapu Kutir and other areas. The whole day spinning-prayer is performed before the Bapu Kutri by the staff. In the evening, along with an inter-relegious prayer, a meeting is arranged in which citizen of Madurai region participate.
A special 5 day programme, celebrating the birth of MahatmaGandhi is conducted in the evening time. Prominent and Star Speakers and Artists from around the country come and deliver speeches, conduct Debates and perform Artistic Skill on the theme of Gandhiji, Nonviolence and Peace at large. This has become the most popular programme in Madurai and everyday about 3,000 persons from different walks of life used to gather for this special programme.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION In celebration of the Indian Independence Day, on August 15th the tri colored Indian National Flag is hoisted at Gandhi Museum. Thousands of children who visit the museum on that day are given sweets.
Gandhi Memorial Lecture Series
In celebration of the 125th Gandhi Jeyanthi, the Gandhi Memorial Lecture Series was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri.R.Venkataraman, Former President of India on 5th Feb.1997. Eminent scholars have deliver lectures in this series including Shri.Ravindra Verma, Former Union Cabinet Minister.
EXAMINATION ON THE LIFE OF MAHATMA GANDHI
To propagate the nonviolent ideas and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi an examination on the Life of Mahatma Gandhi is conducted to school pupil on 2nd Oct. every year. About 10,000 students undertake the examination. A book on the life and Massage of Mahatma.
Gandhi in English and Tamil media is supplied to student and asked to answer the questions. Certificates are issued to the successful candidates.
EXAMINATION ON “INDIA FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM”
An hour-long examination on India Fights for Freedom is periodically conducsted. On inviation, students are made to go around the Gallery and then they answer questions relating to each panel. Certificates will be issued
to successful candidates. This examination gives knowledge about the Indian Freedom Movement, the amount of sacrifice performed during the struggle, etc., to the younger generation, the emphasis on noviolence and the historic role played by Mahatma Gandhi and his
supporters.
Summer Course on Histrionic Talents
To develop the histrionic talents embedded in children a mouth-long summer course is conducted between mid April and mid May every year. About 2,000 students from different schools of Madurai region and women will undergo training in Bharatanatyam, Carnnatic Vocal, Folk Songs, Folk Dance, Yoga, Flute, Miruthangam, Veena, Violin, Doll-marking,General Knowledge, Embroidary, Painting & Drawing, Karate, etc.
Gandhi Clubs in Schools
To develop a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence during childhood the Gandhi Club has been initiated in schools with the help of school teachers and children. The Gandhi Club is functioning in different schools which is self supportive and conducts many programmes relating to Gandhi& Nonviolence.
Observance of Gandhiji’s Martyrdom Day
On 30th Jan. in observance of Mahatma Gandhiji’s martyrdom, a
fasting-spinning prayer is performed by the staff of Gandhi Memorial Museum between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. This is performed apart from paying tributes at the Gandhi Memorial. This gives an opportunity for the Gandhian followers to rededicate them for building up a Nonviolent(Sarvodaya) Social Order.
Freedom Fighters’ Day
To honour the freedom fighters, August 9, is observed as Freedom Fighters†Day. Most of the living Freedom fighters visit the museum on that day and garland Gandhiji’s statue. This gives an opportunity to remember the sacrifice done by the Satyagrahis during the Indian freedom struggle.
Vinoba-Bharathi Day
September 11th is observed as Vinoba Jayanti and Bharathi Memorial day. A seminar focusing on Bhoodan is conducted in which sarvodaya workers, educationists and persons from other sections participate.
Gandhi Children Centre
This is an innovative center dedicated to develop the inbuilt skills of children. With this purpose from classes on Bharatanatyam, Vocal Carnatic, Flute, Violin, Veena, Karate, General Knowledge, Painting are conducted. Trained teachers are taking the class.
Weekly Inter-faith Prayer
On the lines of Mahatma Gandhi, a weekly Inter-faith Prayer is conducted at the Gandhi Memorial Peace Park on Fridays between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. in collaboration with CEPCHIRA (an inter-faith organization functioning in Gandhi Museum Campus). This was started on 16th April 1986 and still going on without a single break. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, secular men and women from different cross-sections numbering about 100 participate in this.
Mobile Exhibitions
Mobile Exhibitions are periodically conducted to propagate the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. A set of select pictures depicting the life and action of Mahatma Gandhi is taken to schools/village clubs and displayed. Every year about 100 places are covered along with exaplanation and interaction. Also an Exhibition on the Horrors of Hiroshima and Peace is also displayed in schools/colleges during August (Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day).
Summer Training Course on Nonviolence & Gandhian Thought
To create a cadre of nonviolent activists, a week long summer training course on Nonviolence and Gandhian Thought is conducted during June in every year. About 30 select youth from both sexes are chosen and they undergo training in theory and practice. Experts conduct the classes.
Children Day Celebration
On 14th November, children Day is celebrated by organizing competitions for school children on Elocution, Quiz, Drawing, Painting, Mono Act, etc. About 3oo to 5oo children participate in the competition and the best three in each competition are given Certificates.
Kastruba Gandhi Memorial Day
In observance of Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Day, a seminar focusing on Women’s Development is organized. Women from different cross-sections take part in it. Also mono act plays depicting Kasturba’s Life will be performed on Feb.22nd of every year.
SCIENTIFIC TRANING IN YOGA, PRANAYAMA, MEDITATION AND HOLISTIC HEALTH
CENTER FOR ALTERNATE THERAPY
To get away from the side-effects of modern medicine and to create and to create a nonviolent healthy life style , this center is functioning in different levels. The following varieties are conducted.
YOGA, PRANAYAMA AND MEDITATION CLASSES
The ancient art of Yoga as defined by saints and especially Patanjali Yogi is conducted at the campus for an hour at 06:00 A.M. to 07.00 A.M., 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. to 6.00 P.M. Every month about 150 person undergo training in Asanas (Postures), Kriyas (Cleaning Process), Mudras (symbols), Pranayamas (Breathing Practices) and Dhyana (Meditation). Scientific, cultural, therapeutic and spiritual values are taught in this intensive course. On request and prior appointment special short courses can be arranged.
SELF EMPLOYMENT COURSES
Short Term Courses on Household Materials preparation, Food preservation, Mehakhi are counducted in every month. Average of 40 persons attended these courses.
HINDI AND SANSKRIT COURSES
Spoken Hindi courses conducted the campus for one and half an hour every day 4.30 to 6.00 P.M. Sanskrit courses are conducting for Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan Exams.