February 13, 2008
by News Desk

To commemorate the Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha (the idea of getting justice by peace and non-violence), a special Seminar was organised by the Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University. It was done in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Bangkok on Monday 4th February 2008 at the main campus of Mahidol University.

 

The Seminar featured a theme on His Majesty the King’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Mahatma Gandhi’s Self Sufficiency Concept. It was inaugurated by Hon’ble Ambassador of India to Thailand Ms Latha Reddy and the President of Mahidol Univesity Clin. Prof. Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn. The eminent speaker from Thai side was Prof. Dr. Seri Phongphit, Director of the Community Enterprise Institute and LIFE University Project who spoke in length with visual aids the subject of “His Majesty the King’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy.

The Indian side was represented by 84 year old famous Gandhian Mr Narayanbhai M. Desai who is running the Total Revolution project for educating tribal peoples in remote Gujarat, India. Mr Desai has the privilege to spend his entire youth with Mahatma Gandhi in his several Ashrams as his father was the Private Secretary of the Mahatma. He has been recently popular in Thailand for his translated book on his childhood spent with Gandhi, Phuan Chan Gandhi (เพื่อนฉันคานธี).
 
The one day Seminar conceived and coordinated by Dr Amarjiva Lochan of the University of Delhi, India featured an interactive session where leading Thai scholars shared their views on the philosophies of both His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Mahatma Gandhi and its application in today’s life. They included Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, Prof. Srisurang Phoolthupya, Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya and Assoc. Prof. Chuthatip Umavijani. Ambassador Ms Latha Reddy spoke on the value of the Mahtama and highlighted the evolution of his idea on Satyagraha which revolutionized the mankind to seek justice through peaceful way. Dr Sophana Srichampa, Director of the Institute spoke on this occasion thanking the Embassy of India for their cooperation, and she also announced the launching of the Master’s Programme on Indian Studies from the forthcoming semester at Mahidol.

The seminar ended with a show of audio-video footage of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, probably done for the first time in Thailand.  A special Exhibition on the theme was also organized to mark the occasion.

 

 

 

 

Next: No Smoking in Thailand.