The Sarvodaya Movement: Gandhian Approach To Peace & Non-Violence

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The supreme choice before humanity now is between Sarvodaya -Welfare of all and Sarvanasa -extinction of mankind. The book, no doubt serves as a guidepost to Sarvodaya Society and world peace. Further, a scientific at- tempt is made to analyse Gandhian approach to peace and nonviolence. World peace is an epithet that is on the lips of all right thinking men, but it has become an elusive concept. Mahatma Gandhi has often been described as an apostle of peace who strove and died for peace. There is no doubt that Sarvodayites and Sarvodaya Movement stand for peace. and tranquillity.

Basically, this book is an outcome of the fruit of labour based on the Doctoral programme in the Gandhian Movement in India with special reference to Tamil Nadu. Having realized the relevance of Gandhi and Sarvodaya in our day-to-day life, the book brings out an analysis of the current trends among Sarvodayites and an in-depth study in the field of Sarvodaya Movement.

It is a well-documented and comprehensive account of the views of Sarvodayites, Gandhites and constructive workers engaged in the Sarvodaya Movement. It obviously analyses how far Gandhian ideology, principles and thoughts are followed and applied by the grass roots constructive workers. A scientific attempt is made to analyse the status quo of Sarvodayites and their role in the Sarvodaya movement in the southern parts of India. Further, it por- trays a comparison between elder and younger Sarvodaya workers and necessary statistical tools are applied for a scientific discussion on the subject. The book also projects various factors influencing Sarvodaya Movement high- lighting both positive and negative aspects of it. However, the essence of Gandhian thought is summed up in one word-Sarvodaya, which aims at the welfare of all and it has been system- atically discussed at length.

S. NARAYANASAMY (b. 1954), had his higher education at the Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Tamil Nadu. He has over 22 years of experience in teaching, research and extension. He served as a United Nations Volunteer. He has authored/edited seven books and published 48 articles in various national and international journals. On academic assignments, he had been to Srilanka, Italy and Mauritius. He is both academic and activist who has introduced "Peace Bus Technique" and "Mobile School of Peace" for Communal Harmony. He is currently a senior faculty member in the Department of Gandhian Thought and Peace Science offering courses in Gandhian Studies, Peace Science, Rural Re- construction and Development, Disability issues and Youth Development at Gandhigram Rural Institute. He is also the Director, IDARA - Information Development and Resource Agency for Nehru Yuva Kendras in the Southern Zone covering four states in India and one Union Territory under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

The foundations of the Sarvodaya Movement have been firmly laid by Gandhi on the principles of Truth, Nonviolence and Love. Success of any movement depends on its leadership. Vinoba's charismatic leadership provided an impetus for the movement. Jayaprakash Narayan undoubtedly had his own personal charisma and it has been shown on many occasions, particularly on the occasion of his grand declaration of jeevandan, i.e., life gift, meaning the dedication of one's whole life and energy to the cause of the movement.

Sarvodaya Movement in Tamil Nadu is as old as its origins in India in the early 1920's and it spread to Sri Lanka in 1958. Sarvodayites of Tamil Nadu have their links with their counterparts in Sri Lanka and the rest of India. A Sarvodayite is affectionately addressed as 'Anna' and 'Akka' (Brother and Sister) in Tamil Nadu. Sarvodaya Mandal, established in Tamil Nadu at the fag end of 1956, continues to play the lead role in the movement as such and it is said to be the nerve centre of its activities. The Directory (1986) of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, New Delhi records 146 Gandhian constructive institutions in Tamil Nadu.

The present study has been designed in the background of what has been said above with a view to have a clearer understanding of the movement. The purpose behind is to explore the trends of the movement in Tamil Nadu and also assess the possible directions it could move in the near future. An attempt was also made to offer ways and means to overcome the problems the Sarvodayites are facing.

The present study has taken up a consolidated list of Sarvodayites in the state as its universe and a questionnaire was mailed to all of them; about 30 per cent of the questionnaire were responded to and the same have been analyzed.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages