BANGALORE: When Gen Y thronged the Freedom Park during Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade, sceptics scoffed saying it was just pretext for youngsters to bunk class.
But there's nothing superficial about the Hazare effect on the youngsters as can be seen from the response elicited by a two-day workshop conducted by Bangalore University's department of Gandhian studies on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. At least half the participants have citedAnna Hazare as the reason why they were at the workshop.
"Of the 20-odd applicants, at least 10 cited Anna Hazare's movement in the context of non-violence. We are expecting more numbers this time for our diploma and certificate courses for which admissions are yet to begin, thanks to Hazare reintroducing Gandhi to the youth," said D Jeevan Kumar, director, Centre for Gandhian Studies.
The responses to the invites for workshop range from calling Hazare as "the man armed with nothing but commitment" to how non-violence could unite the entire nation.
Anchal Shastri, in his application, has compared Chipko movement and Hazare's movement to other unsuccessful movements based on violence. "Thanks to Hazare, the ideals of non-violence have found new meaning in the new India," he wrote.
The two-day workshop - non-violent conflict resolution - will be attended by 21 students from various city colleges. It focuses on understanding conflict at various levels of one's life and dealing with it. If found successful, the department aims to take it forward to other departments and then to the affiliated colleges of the university.
RESPONSE TO INVITES
The movement for Jan Lokpal Bill by Anna Hazare infused in youngsters fresh confidence in non-violence. It has emerged as a more powerful tool...
| Ravindar Karjagi
In no time the entire country erupted to support Anna Hazare, the Gandhian who was armed with nothing but commitment. Once again, it was proved that the non-violent method of conflict resolution has prevailed and succeeded.
| Reshmi Vishwanath
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