Bay College Student Government
proudly presents
Arun Gandhi May 7, 2003
Gandhi.
Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage,
social harmony, and- perhaps most of all-hope.
Arun
Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather,
the legendary peace fighter and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also
known as Mahatma Gandhi.
Growing
up in apartheid South Africa as a person of Indian heritage meant racial
confrontations with both blacks and whites. As a young boy, Arun was beaten up
by black youths for not being black and by white youths because he was not
white. Filled with rage and plotting to avenge his beatings, he subscribed to
Charles Atlas bodybuilding magazines so he would have the strength to fight
back. When his parents discovered the reason for their 12-year-old son's sudden
fascination with exercise, they decided that a visit
to his grandfather in India was in order.
What
followed was an 18-month stay with one of the world's great leaders that would
give him the keys to the powerful philosophy of nonviolence and help shape the
foundation for his life's work. It was a dangerous and exciting time as Mahatma
Gandhi was leading the people of India in their revolutionary, nonviolent
struggle for independence from British rule.
After
leading successful projects for economic and social reform in India, Mr. Gandhi
came to the United States in 1988 to complete research for a comparative study on
racism in America. In 1991, Arun and his wife, Sunanda, founded the M.K. Gandhi
Institute for Nonviolence, headquartered at Christian Brothers University in
Memphis. The Institute's mission is to foster understanding of nonviolence and
to put that philosophy to practical use through workshops, lectures, and
community outreach programs.
A
speaker of international acclaim, Arun has spoken before hundreds of colleges
and universities, corporate, and civic organizations. His unique talents and
cross- cultural experiences have brought him before govern- mental, social,
and educational audiences in countries allover the world including Croatia,
France, Ireland, Holland, Lithuania, and Nicaragua. Arun Gandhi is a cultural
treasure, offering first hand insights on one of history's most influential
leaders.