The online workshop on “Gandhian Philosophy” to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi Ji was organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) today on 25.09.2020. Dr. S. K. Chaudhary, DDG (NRM), ICAR was the guest speaker on the occasion. At the outset, Dr. S. P. Kimothi, ADG (Coordination), ICAR gave a brief description about the workshop and importance of Gandhian Philosophy in the present scenario. He welcomed all the participants and urged to adopt the Gandhian principles in their day to day life. ‘To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves’ this statement from Gandhi Ji is sufficient enough to understand the basic philosophy behind farming. The guest speaker Dr. S. K. Chaudhary, DDG (NRM), ICAR delivered lecture on the topic “Krishi evam Gramin jivan me Gandhi Ji ki vichar dhara ka mahtva”. He told that Gandhian principles are comprehensive to change the behavior of the people to lead a healthy and prosperous life without competing with others.

Gandhi Ji visualized commercial agriculture as viable model and suggested cultivation of cash crops such as cotton and castor. These cash crops can be processed in the villages and could foster an agro-based processing industry in village itself. This would take care of the food, shelter and employment needs of the rural community. There could be self-reliance and inter-dependence between the villages. He also discussed about the current stressful situation of many developed countries and they are eager to fight with each other for resources and power. If these countries follow the Gandhian principles then certainly there will a peaceful situation in the world. Around 150 participants from ICAR headquarters, New Delhi and other ICAR institutes attended the workshop.