The 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women with thought-provoking reflections on Gandhian ideals and their relevance today.
In her presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. V. Bharathi Harishankar urged the gathering to look beyond symbolic celebrations. “What the Mahatma stood for was not just India’s political freedom but a deeper liberation — freedom from fear, ego, and inequality,” she said.
She stressed that wearing Khadi alone does not embody Gandhian philosophy. “Khadi represents dignity, self-reliance, and transformation. It symbolizes a mission to rebuild India with values of unity and equality,” she added.
Speaking on Viksit Bharat, Dr. Bharathi said development must not be measured merely by GDP. “True progress means an empowered and inclusive India that values diversity and collective harmony. Returning to Gandhian ideals is essential to realizing the vision of an enlightened nation,” she remarked, calling on the academic community to “reflect, renew, and recommit” to building a value-driven future.
Delivering the Gandhi Jayanthi address, Dr. G. Paalanithurai, Hon. Director, Rural Development Division, Sri Aurobindo Society, and former Professor at Gandhigram Rural University, hailed Gandhi as a transformational leader. “Drawing from his South African experiences, Gandhi envisioned an India built on moral strength, democracy, and self-reliance. His life exemplifies how leadership rooted in empathy can transform a nation,” he said.
