Special webinar on salt satyagraha and self-sufficiency model of gram panchayat 

Chandigarh: The Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies in collaboration with the UNESCO Network Chair organized a special webinar of Shri Tushar Arun Gandhi ,the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi today on the topic "Salt Satyagraha and Self Sufficiency Model of Gram Panchayat".
Dr. Manish Sharma, Chairperson,  introduced the topic and speaker and other invited guests, faculty members and students. The webinar started with the PU anthem. In his inaugural address Professor Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh stressed that the relevance of Gandhian philosophy is more relevant than the previous times.  He further added that if we would have followed Gandhian ideology of self sufficiency model than the present situation of migrant labourers would have not emerged because of COVID 19 situation. The other issue of the present times is that we are more focused on the materialistic comforts which was negated by the Mahatma Gandhi. The other issue is the fear which leads to the hoarding of everything and people are creating problem for others survival. The concept of sustainable development correlates with the Gandhian philosophy of using the things which are for your own needs and left the rest for the others. 
In the special lecture Shri Tushar Arun Gandhi  narrated the different stories correlating with the Salt Satyagraha, how Gandhi ji started this Satyagraha and how he alongwith other satyagrahis was able to get the desired results. He also emphasized that the history of freedom movement needs to be revisited as many of the freedom fighters names are not known to many, their rich contribution in achieving the freedom for the masses needs to be highlighted and their stories needs to be shared with everyone as the freedom is not of an individual but was a collective effort. Mahatma Gandhi give away his life in rebuilding this nation but this is not the India he thought of, his real India still lives in villages which are neglected at many fronts and most of the ruling governments never thought of them. His real swaraj and self sufficiency model is not seen in the working of the governments. In the present situation of COVID 19 we have to be more responsible toward our nation and our duties. We should try to live for the family, society and for the nation. Apart from this, we have to rebuilt the education system and the concept of economy as the real economy corelates with the poor farmers and the persons who are doing the manual labour and Gandhi was always in the favour of these masses as according to Gandhi, if they are empowered then the India will be empowered. In the end, different questions were asked by the various faculty members and students. 
The lecture was well attended by different faculty members of Panjab University, Chandigarh and from across India. Dr Manish Sharma, Chairperson. Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies proposed vote of thanks to all.  

BRIEF

CHANDIGARH: Keeping in view the emergent situation in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic, Prof Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor,Panjab University has accorded permission to conduct viva-voce of M.Phil/Ph.D. students through Skype or any other online method in the respective departments and if facilities in the department are not available, then facilities of APJ Abdul Kalam Computer Centre be used. Chairperson of the concerned department, supervisor(s) and candidate shall be physically present at the time of viva-voce.  Other faculty members, research scholars and other interested experts/researchers may attend online from their places.