Sohan L. Gandhi

PhD, Sociology

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  • PhD, Social Science, Universidad Central de Nicaragua/Universidad Azteca
  • PhD, Religious Studies, Intercultural Open University Foundation
  • M.Phil. (ELT), Rajasthan University, Jaipur (Secured first position)
  • M.A., English Literature, Rajasthan University, Jaipur
  • M.A., Sociology, Rajasthan University, Jaipur
  • B.Ed., Rajasthan University, Jaipur

Address 

 

B-19, Anita Colony, Bajaj Nagar
Jaipur-302 015 
(Rajasthan) INDIA

Phone

 

+91-141-707347(Res.)

  

+91-141-2722412
(ANUVIBHA Office-Phone)

Fax

 

+91-141-2710118

Email 

 

slgandhi@hotmail.com
anuvibha@anuvibha.in

Sohan L. Gandhi
PhD, Sociology

Dr. Sohan Lal Gandhi is currently the Honorary President of the ANUVRAT Global Organization (ANUBIS), a transnational Center for Peace and Nonviolent Action associated with the UN-DPI. Dr. Gandhi began his career as a post-graduate professor of English in Kendriya Sangathan, HRD Ministry, Government of India. He has been in the forefront of national and international campaigns for disarmament, interfaith harmony, reconciliation, nonviolent conflict resolution, global ethics, ecological and environmental harmony, vegetarianism, and regeneration of moral and spiritual values. Dr. Gandhi has long been a member of the Jain Community Peace Movement.

Dr. Gandhi is on the boards of many national and international organizations. He has received numerous honors including the Intercultural Open University Foundation Peace Award in 2000. He currently is the editor of the ANUVIBHA Reporter, and has authored and edited many books and articles.
Dr. Gandhi holds the rank of Professor of Sociology and serves as the chairman of Peace and Nonviolence Studies at Intercultural Open University Foundation. In addition he serves on the Board of Governors.

Academic Qualifications

Dual PhD in Social Science from the Universidad Central de Nicaragua/Universidad Azteca, PhD in Religious Studies from the Intercultural Open University Foundation

Dissertation Title: A Critical Study of Acharya Tulsi’s Contribution to Social Excellence through Anuvrat Movement, 1997

M.Phil. (ELT) Rajasthan University Jaipur, first positin 1983

M.A. English Literature Rajasthan University Jaipur, 1961

M.A.Sociology, Rajasthan University Jaipur, 1962

B.Ed., Rajasthan University, Jaipur 1965

Outstanding Academic Achievements

  • Stood First in the English Poetry Competition at M.B. College, Udaipur in 1958.
  • Passed M.Phil. (ELT) with 68 % (First Division) and secured the first position in the University of Rajasthan, 1982.

Honorary Positions Held at Present

  • President, Anuvrat Global Organization (ANUVIBHA), Jaipur (India)
  • Organizer, International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action–a biennial project of ANUVIBHA
  • Editor, ANUVIBHA REPORTER, a quarterly journal of ANUVIBHA
  • Secretary General, Pt. Madhusudan Ojha Institute of Vedic Studies and Research, a Project of Rajasthan Patrika, Jaipur
  • Hony. Professor of Peace and Nonviolence Studies, Intercultural Open University Foundation, NL
  • South Asia Coordinator, Global Green University, UK
  • A Member of the Working Team for India for the Institute of Jainology, UK

Vision, Goals, And Purposes of My Work

I have a vision of a socio-political non-violent world order free from exploitation and injustice. It can become a reality only if we succeed in instilling ideals of ahimsa and tolerance into children at an early age. We need to launch a global programme of action embedded in the culture of peace and nonviolence for the children of the world. It calls for a worldwide campaign to train and educate the children in the healing power of ahimsa which alone can ensure survival into the third millennium. Religion should be used as an instrument for reconciliation, harmony, co-existence and self-transformation. Its misuse for creating divisions and inciting violence and hatred must be stopped at all costs. The goal of my life is to inspire people to make nonviolence a way of life and embrace reverential ecology as expounded in Jainism which recognizes the sanctity of all forms of life on this planet. I fully support His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya’s view that verbal, mental or emotional forms of violence are far more dangerous and devastating than physical violence. Unless efforts are made to control mental and emotional violence and enhance children’s emotional intelligence, we cannot prevent catastrophes like the one witnessed on September 11, 2001. The purpose of my life is to work for the alleviation of human suffering and promote the culture of ahimsa as revealed in Lord Mahavira’s message and the message of Mahatma Gandhi.

Areas of Work

It relates to nonviolence and peace education, nonviolent conflict resolution, economics of nonviolence, training in nonviolence, Jainism, Jain Ecology, spirituality, and religious reconciliation. I have been popularizing ANUVRAT MOVEMENT based on a carefully drawn moral code of conduct at global level. The word ‘ANUVRAT’ means a ‘small or basic vow.‘ The mahavrats (vows that are great or big) are meant for ascetics (shamans).

ANUVRAT MOVEMENT, launched by the leading Jain religious leader of India, Late His Holiness Ganadhipati TULSI, in 1949, is a Jain peace movement which persuades individuals to commit themselves to certain basic human values. It encourages interreligious dialogues and promotes interfaith unity. Acharya Tulsi was inspired by Lord Mahavira’s twelve anuvrats – a code of moral conduct consisting of twelve small vows prescribed for his shravaks and shravikas (Jain lay persons). He converted it into a mass movement after making some modifications in accordance with the needs of the present age. All conflicts originate in the degeneration or loss of these values. To achieve peace the rejuvenation of these basic values is a must. ANUVRAT MOVEMENT aims at moral and spiritual regeneration of the individual and society. One of the vows relates to ahimsa. This movement considers nonviolence as the only way of freeing this world from conflicts rooted in racism, fundamentalism and terrorism and of preserving ecological and environmental balance and expects its adherents to practice minimum nonviolence in life. At present, the Anuvrat Movement is being led by His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya, a renowned Jain ascetic, scholar and exponent of Preksha Meditation.

International Conferences Attended, Papers Presented, and Lectures Delivered

  • Presented views on Peacemaking in the Jain Context at the Third International Conference on Peacemaking in the Buddhist Context organized by the University of Hawaii Institute for Peace and Sa Won De temple at Honolulu, U.S.A. fromMay 23 to May 28, 1987.
  • Delivered a public lecture on ‘Nonviolent Jain Tradition‘ at the University of Hawaii on May 27, 1987.
  • Delivered a lecture on Anuvrat Movement and Indian Cultural Heritage at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, Tokyo, Japan, on June 3, 1987.
  • Delivered a lecture at the West London Institute of Higher Education, BFSS National Religious Education Centreon ‘New Movements in Jainism‘ on June 1, 1988.
  • Attended the International Peace Conference organized by National Coalition USA in support of UN SSD III atFordham University, New York, U.S.A. from June 7 to June 9, 1988.
  • Attended 43rd Anniversary World Conference for a Nuclear-Free World organized byGENSUIKIN (Japanese Congress against A and H Bombs) at Tokyo and Hiroshima, Japan fromAugust 1, 1988 to August 6, 1988.
  • Presented a paper on “ELT (English Language Teaching) and Translation: Some Pedagogic Implications” at the annual conference of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) held at the University of Warwick, UK from March 31, 1989 to April 3, 1989.
  • Had a dialogue on the basic principles of Jainism with Rev. Father J McTernan of the St. Assisi Centre, Holland Park, London on April 4 and 5, 1989.
  • Delivered a lecture on ‘Nonviolence in the Jain Context‘ at the Centre for Interfaith Programme, London, UK onApril 6, 1989.
  • Attended a meeting of women of South Asia and Pacific Region held at Tashkent, USSR at the invitation of Soviet Women’s Committee from May 15 and 21, 1989 and spoke on the Status of Women in Rajasthan.
  • Held wide-ranging discussions on Peace and Nonviolence with Dr. Fattah, President, UZBEK Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries at his office atTashkent, Uzbekistan on May 18, 1989.
  • Held discussions about Anuvrat Movement with Mrs. Joya Pukhova, President, Soviet Women’s Committee in the airplane while flying from Tashkent to Moscow, Russia on May 22, 1989.
  • Delivered a lecture on Indian Cultural Heritage at Special School 26th MOSCOW on May 25, 1989.
  • Attended the first Congress of International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms(IALANA) as a special invitee held at the Hague, Netherlands from September 22 to 25, 1989. I was invited to speak on Anuvrat Movement and Its Message of Peace at a plenary session.
  • Held wide ranging discussions with the members of the Board of Cooperation for Peace now renamed as Peace Quest International about its Projects of Peace Study, Peace Voyages, Peace Study weeks and Peace Quest Tours at Stockholm, Sweden from September 26 to 30, 1989.
  • Presented a paper on ‘Translating Jain Didactic Literature: A Selective Study‘ at the annual conference of theInternational Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language(IATEAFL) held at Trinity College, Dublin,Ireland from March 27 to 31, 1990.
  • Delivered a lecture on ‘Peace and Nonviolence: the Greatest Commandments of Jainism‘ atthe Centre for India and Interreligious Studies, Rome, Italy on April 5, 1990.
  • Had a dialogue with the President and other office bearers of the Community of St. Egidio and organizers of theInternational Meeting for Peace in Rome on April 7, 1990.
  • Conducted a workshop on Anuvrat and Preksha Meditation at the Institute for Peace, University of Hawaii, USA onAugust 11, 1990 in response to an invitation by Prof. Glenn D. Paige and exchanged views with him. I also met the Vice-President of the University of Hawaii and exchanged views with him on the Jain Principle of Ahimsa.
  • Had a very useful dialogue on conflict resolution, peace and ahimsa with Prof. Glenn D. Paigein his office in Honolulu, USA.
  • Presented a paper at the dialogue group theme D entitled ‘The Jain Encounter with Other Religious Traditions‘ at the Assembly of World’s Religions held at San Francisco, U.S.A. fromAugust 15 to August 21, 1990. It was organized by the International Religious Foundation based in New York.
  • Lectured on the Concept of Ahimsa at the Jain Centre of San Francisco, USA on August 18, 1990.
  • Visited Victoria British Columbia Canada on August 21, 1990 in response to an invitation fromMarks McAvity, Executive Director, World Interfaith Colleges Association, and held informal discussions with the Board Members of WICA and its President about the possibility of establishing the first World Interfaith College in India.
  • Had a dialogue with the members of the group who support “Alternatives to Violence” at the Friends Meeting House VICTORIA BC Canada on August 23, 1990.
  • Held a dialogue with Dr. Satayendra Banerjee and Dr. Maya Banerjee, Division of Medical Microbiology, UBC Serology, Provincial Laboratory Vancouver BC Canada on August 25, 1990 onJivan Vigyan and on the possibility of starting an Open Rural School at Rajsamand (Rajasthan) INDIA.
  • Visited the Department of Theology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA in response to an invitation by Dr. Christopher Chapple and held discussions with him and other scholars onJain Principles of nonviolence on August 26, 1990.
  • Held discussions with the prominent Jains of Hong Kong about interreligious dialogue on July 3, 1991 on my way to USA.
  • Attended the JAINA Convention held at Stanford, California from July 4 to 6, 1991 and made a presentation onUniversality of Jainism on the closing plenary session on July 6, 1991.
  • Was also invited by Dr. Sulekh Jain, President, JAINA, to make a presentation at the meeting of the Directors of the Jain Centres of North America on July 5, 1991.
  • Held a dialogue with ARUMUGA SWAMI, Managing Editor of HINDUISM TODAY in his temple at Concord, California, U.S.A. on July 7, 1991 and gave a talk on nonviolence in a class of the new initiates of Hinduism the same evening.
  • Delivered a lecture on Anuvrat Movement at the Jain Centre of Houston, USA on July 8, 1991.
  • Delivered a lecture on Jainism at the Jain Centre of New York, U.S.A. on July 9, 1991.
  • Visited the Jain Shrine Siddhachalam, New Jersey, USA and held a dialogue with its founderAcharya Muni Sushil Kumarji on various religious issues on July 10, 1991.
  • Presented a copy of the Rajsamand Declaration on Nonviolence Training to Mr. Washburn, Director, Executive Office of the Secretary General UNO in his office at New York, USA onJuly 12, 1991 and exchanged views with him on the role of NGOs in conflict resolution and world peace.
  • Met Pramukha Swamiji of Swami Narayan sect and acquainted him with the mission of His Holiness Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya on the eve of the Cultural Festival of Indiaorganized by him near New York, USA on July 14, 1991.
  • Was invited to speak on Peace and Nonviolent Action before the members of the New India Movement on August 13, 1991 at Vittalbhai House, New Delhi by Swami Om Poorn Swatantraji – the Chairman of this organization.
  • Attended New Delhi Congress organized by Interreligious Federation for World Peace, New York, USA at New Delhi from February 2 to 7, 1993 and presented a paper on Acharya Tulsi at a dialogue group and led the Jain prayer.
  • Attended a five week course on Gaia, Ecology and Systems View of Life at Schumacher College, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon, U.K., organized from May 31, 1993 to June 30, 1993with Dr. Fritjof Capra as Scholar in Residence.
  • Made a major presentation on Anuvrat Movement – The Jain Pathway to Self-Transformation and World Peace at the Parliament of World’s Religions held at Chicago, U.S.A. from July 30 to August 5, 1993.
  • Delivered a series of lectures on Anuvrat, Jainism and Nonviolence at the Departments of Sociology, Philosophy and Psychology and at the Institute of Spirituality at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA from August 7 to 9, 1993 in response to an invitation by Prof. Bill Headly.
  • Held a dialogue and exchanged views with the faculty members in a special meeting at theInstitute of Conflict Resolution and Analysis, George Mason University, Fairfield, USA onAugust 10, 1993.
  • Led a workshop on Nonviolent Conflict Resolution and participated in a panel discussion at the Annual IPB Conference held at Barcelona from October 20 to 22, 1994 hosted by Fundacia Per La Pau (Peace Foundation) Katalunia (Spain). The theme of the conference was One World or None.
  • Delivered a lecture at Oki Do Centre, Roma, Italy on ‘Living the Good Life and Anuvrat Movement‘ on October 25, 1994.
  • Had a dialogue with Master Yuji Yahiro, Spiritual Head of Oki Do Federation at his Ashram in Pesaro, Italy from October 26 to 27, 1994.
  • Attended the UN World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, Denmark fromMarch 6 to 12, 1995 and made a presentation to a special group about Anuvrat Movement and its Contribution to Social Integration.
  • Attended the International Encounter organized by Oki Do Federation of Italy at Milan fromApril 25 to May 2, 1995 as a panel speaker and led a special workshop on nonviolence at the same conference.
  • Delivered three public lectures on ahimsa organized by Peace Quest International, Stockholm, Sweden from May 2 to 7, 1995 at Stockholm and Upsala and had a dialogue with Mr. Jan Fjllander, Director and other member staff of Peace Quest International.
  • Presented a paper on ‘Many Faces of Nonviolence: Resolving Communal Conflicts‘ atNonviolence Commission, International Peace Research Association (IPRA) hosted by theUniversity of Queensland from July 7 to 13, 1996at Brisbane, Australia.
  • Presented a paper on Ethnic and Communal Conflicts with Particular Reference to the Indian Subcontinent: An Overview, Causes and Countermeasures at the International Peace Conference organized by the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies, Kyung Hee University at Seoul, Korea from September 17 to 19, 1996.
  • Delivered a lecture on the Uses of Nonviolent Living and Preksha Meditation at a special meeting of the selected students of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Koreaorganized by Professor Seligson on September 20, 1996.
  • Delivered a special lecture on Peace in Asia Pacific Region at the 20th Model United Nations General Assembly held in Seoul, Korea on September 21, 1996.
  • Presented a paper on Nonviolent Jain Tradition: Unique Features and Common Values at an International Seminar organized by Interreligious Federation for World Peace of USA atHamdard University, New Delhi from December 12 to 15, 1996.
  • Made a panel presentation on the theme “The Quintessence of Life” at the IV International Encounter organized byOki Do Federation of Italy on March 30, 1997 at Roma, Italy.
  • Delivered a speech on “The Role of Religions in Creating a Peaceful World” at a meeting organized by Dr. Thomas C. Daffern, Director, Gandhi Foundation, Kingsley Hall, Brownlow-bow, London on April 3, 1997.
  • Delivered a lecture on Gandhi, Nonviolence and Ecology at a meeting organized by Gandhi Centre, Gandhi Bapu Memorial Trust, Chapman Crescent Kenton Middlesex, London onApril 3, 1997.
  • Attended United Religions Initiative World Assembly organized by reverend Bishop Swing of California, U.S.A. at Stanford, San Francisco from June 22 to 27, 1997.
  • On my way back I had an opportunity to witness the ceremony of handing over Hong Kong to China on June 30, 1997.
  • Spoke at House of Lords seminar series on policy, ethics and values organized by Dr. Thomas C. Daffern, Director, International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy, UK held at House of Lords on July 6, 1998.
  • Presented a paper on Jain Principle of Ahimsa and Ecology at the Centre for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University at the International Conference on Jainism and Ecology held from July 11 and 12, 1998.
  • Had a dialogue on the Strategies to Present Jainism as a World Religion at various forums with the members the ofInstitute of Jainology, UK on July 14, 1998 in London.
  • Presented a paper at the Parliament of the World’s Religions held at Cape Town, South Africa from December 1 to 8, 1999 on the Jain Principle of Anekant and Human Survival.
  • Presented a paper on the Jain View of Poverty: Strategies for Prevention and Minimization at the International Interreligious Dialogue on Human Kind, Nature and Technology: The Contribution of Religions held at Hannoveron September 12, 2000. My paper was based on Acharya Mahapragya’s classic Economics of Mahavira. It was organized by the Protestant and the Catholic Churches of Germany as well as their Expo 2000 representatives.
  • Presented a paper at the International Conference on Reconciliation organized by Henry Martin Institute at Hyderabad from November 6 to 8, 2001.
  • Made a presentation on the project of starting a model school at Jaipur based on the ideals of peace, democracy and human development at the meeting of the Peace Quest International (PQI) at Stockholm, Sweden on December 6, 2001.
  • Attended the Right Livelihood Award Presentation Ceremony held in the Swedish Parliament on December 7, 2001.
  • Had an extremely fruitful dialogue with the members of Swedish Parliament on Anuvrat Movement in a conference room of the Swedish Parliament about Peace Quest project in India on December 8, 2001.
  • Spoke on the Jain Principle of Anekant before an interfaith gathering organized by United Religions Initiative at Balifrom December 13 to 15, 2001. The theme of this regional assembly was Pilgrims of Peace.
  • Presented a paper on the Challenge of Racism under Globalization at a plenary session at the 19th General International Peace Research Association Conference held at Kyung Hee University, Suwon, Korea from July 1 to 5, 2002.
  • Presented a paper on Jain Ecology: A Source of Survival into the Third Millennium at the international meeting onWar and Peace: Faiths and Cultures Come Together organized by theCommunity of St. Egidio at AACHEN, Germany from September 7 to 9, 2003. I was the only representative of the Jain Community of India.
  • Made an ice-breaking speech about the future of International Peace Research Association (IPRA) at a special plenary session organized by IPRA Secretary General Dr. Katsuya Kodamaon the eve of IPRA’s 40th Anniversary held at Sopron, Hungary from July 5 to 9, 2004.

Other Presentations made at IPRA’s 40th Anniversary Conference:

  • Read a Paper at the Nonviolence Commission on Nonviolence Education and Training: A Conceptual Framework with Practical Steps.
  • Made an oral presentation at IPRA’s Peace Theories Commission on Peace Concept and Practice.
  • Presented a paper on Training Youths in Nonviolence: A Long-Term Strategy to Prevent Terrorism and War at theMidday Workshop organized on the eve of the 58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, United Nations, Department of Public Information on September 8, 2005 at UN Headquarters, New York.
  • Attended the Eighth Assembly of World Religions held at Kyoto, Japan from August 26 to 29 2006 organized byWorld Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), USA.
  • Made a keynote speech on Economics of Nonviolence at a special session on Economics of Nonviolence organized byIGNOU, Indian Council of Gandhian Studies and Anuvibha at IGNOU Premises, Delhi on January 28 and 29, 2007.
  • Made a presentation as an invited panel speaker on Interreligious Understanding and Cooperation at the Interactive Hearing of the United Nations General Assembly with Civil Society on Oct. 4 & 5 at UN Headquarters, New York on the eve of the High Level Dialogue organized by the President of UN General Assembly, I was invited by the President of the UN General Assembly. I was the only representative from Asia.
  • A panel presentation on Anekant: The Jaina Path of Peace and Reconciliation at the International Meeting organized by the Community of Sant Egidio at Nicosia, Cyprus held fromNovember 16 to 18, 2008. The theme of the conference was ‘The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue.’

Eastern Washington University (12 years)

Lead Professor in a Human Communication Training Program through a contractual relationship with the United States Air Force. The Program was conducted in South Korea, the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, Germany, England, Azores, and various Air Force Bases throughout the United States.

Experience in Organizing International Conferences/Seminars/Dialogues

  • Organized the First International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action at Ladnun from December 5 to 7, 1988. Its theme was Unifying Forces of Peace and Nonviolence. It was attended by more than two hundred national and international delegates.
  • Organized the Second ICPNA at Rajsamand from February 17 to 21, 1991. Its theme wasEvolving a Viable System to Train and Orient People in Nonviolence. It was attended by more than 175 national and international delegates.
  • Organized International Dialogue on Nonviolence Education and Training at Ladnun onNovember 26, 1992 attended by H.H. Anuvrat Anushasta Tulsi and H.H. the Dalai Lama, Johan Galtung, Bernard Laffayettee, Ms. Robin Ludwig of U.N.O., Charles Alphin of King Centre, Georgia, USA.
  • Organized International Preksha Meditation Camp at Jaipur from March 23 to 27, 1994. It was attended by 23 sadhaks from India, Australia, Spain, Italy, Russia, U.K., Japan etc.
  • Organized the Third International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action with the theme Living in Harmony with Nature: Survival into the Third Millennium held at Ladnun fromDecember 17 to 21, 1995. It was attended by 140 delegates hailing from 21 countries including India. Joseph Verner Reed, Under Secretary General and Special Envoy of the then UN Secretary General Dr. Boutrous Boutrous Ghali and Dr. Francisco Barahona, Rector, UN University for Peace, Costa Rica were the distinguished international guests.
  • Organized the Fourth International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action held at Delhi from November 10 to 14, 1999. The theme of this conference was Ahimsa, Peacemaking, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Management.It was attended by more than 60 Indian delegates and 40 overseas delegates hailing from 18 countries.
  • Organized the Fifth International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action held at Vishva Shanti Nilayam of Anuvibha at Rajsamand (Rajasthan)/and at Mumbai from February 23 to 28, 2003. Its theme was “Seeking the True Meaning of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World.” It was attended by more than 90 delegates hailing from 13 countries including India.
  • Organized the First International Conference on Economics of Nonviolence and the Vision of a Sustainable Worldheld at Delhi from December 5 to 7, 2005. His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya released a 13 point concept of a new model of nonviolence-oriented economics.
  • Organized the Second IOU Conference at Jai Mahal Palace Hotel, Jaipur from February 11 and 12, 2006 which was attended by academics, scholars and IOU office bearers from India, Thailand, Japan, USA, Netherlands. The theme of the conference was Rethinking Education.
  • Organized an International Dialogue on Science, Spirituality and Intercultural Insights onDecember 28 and 29, 2006 at Hotel Jaipur Palace sponsored by Rajasthan Patrika, Jaipur. It was jointly organized by Pt. Madhusudan Ojha Institute of Vedic Studies and Research and Intercultural Open University Foundation of the Netherlands.
  • Organized the 6th International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action on the Challenge of Violence, Hunger and Poverty: Evolving Sustainable Countermeasures at Children’s Peace Palace, Rajsamand from December 23 to 25, 2008. It was attended by delegates from 13 countries including India.
  • Organized the First International Nonviolence Leadership Training Camp at Children’s Peace Palace, Rajsamand, India from December 26 to 28, 2008 under the auspices of His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman.
  • Organized the 7th International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action on Exploring a New Model of Nonviolent Lifestyle for Universal Peace and Sustainability at Anuvibha Jaipur Kendra, Jaipur from November 10 to 12, 2008. It was attended by delegates from 11 countries including India.
  • Organized the Second International Nonviolence Leadership Training Camp at Anuvibha Jaipur Kendra, Jaipur fromNovember 13 to 14, 2008.

Certificates, Awards, and Titles

  • Was given a certificate of appreciation by the city of Honolulu May, 1987 in recognition of my efforts to promote leadership for peace.
  • Honoured by H.H. Acharya Tulsi with a title Anuvrat Pravakta (Exponent of ANUVRAT Philosophy) at the Anuvrat Conference in July 1987 in New Delhi.
  • Received Institute of Oriental Philosophy, Tokyo Scholarly Achievement Award along with a citation on November 18, 1988.
  • Honoured at the Jain Centre of San Francisco on August 18, 1990.
  • Awarded Rajsamand Gaurav meaning Pride of Rajsamand by Gandhi Seva Sadan, a pioneering educational Institute of Rajsamand in December 1991.
  • Awarded the Best Teacher’s Award by Jawahar Seva Sadan – a voluntary organization inJanuary 1992 at Pahuna (Rajasthan).
  • Presented with the highest Intercultural Open University Foundation Award by Prof. Hakemulder, the International President, the Intercultural Open University, Opeinde, the Netherlands at a special function held on February 7, 1998 at hotel Meru palace, Jaipur in recognition of my contribution to intercultural understanding and academic excellence through the work of Intercultural Open University Foundation.
  • Honoured with Intercultural Open University Foundation Peace Award of the Year 2000 by Prof. Jan R. Hakemulder, International President, Intercultural Open University Foundation, at a special function in New Delhi in recognition of my contribution to the cause of global peace.
  • Awarded Acharya Tulsi Anekant Samman by Govind Saraogi Foundation of Calcutta and Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun jointly in the benign presence of His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya at Surat (Gujrat) in 2002. The award carries a citation and an amount of rupees one lakh in cash.

Talks/Interviews in Newspaper and Radios Abroad

  • Interview on Jainism was prominently published in Honolulu Star Bulletin (Daily newspaper) onMay 30, 1987.
  • Interviewed by Tashkent Radio team on the Anuvrat Movement and Acharya Tulsi and the interview was broadcast onMay 30 and 31, 1989.
  • Interviews in Hindi and English on Jainism, Peace and Nonviolence were broadcast by Vatican Radio on June 8 and July 5, 1990 I was interviewed in Rome by Dr. Xavier Rajan, Vatican Radio.
  • Interviewed by Dr. M. Prabhakar, formar Director of public relations, at Doordarshan (Jaipur Telivision), 1994 aboutANUVRAT MOVEMENT and its global impact.
  • Interviewed by Dr. Ved Prakesh, Director, Hindi Granth Academy, Jaipur, on Jaipur Doordarshan about my contribution to global nonviolence.

Books Written, Edited, And Translated

I have translated into English, authored, and edited the following books: (All of them, except one, have been published.)

  • Moral and Spiritual Values (Naitik Pathmala) by Muni Mathmal Now Acharya Mahapragya (Translated)
  • New Age: New Outlook (Naya Yug: Naya Darshan) by Dr. (Muni) Nagraj (Translated)
  • Acharya Tulsi: A Peacemaker Par Excellence (Acharya Tulsi Jivan Katha) by Yuvacharya Mahapragya now Acharya Mahapragya (edited and translated)
  • Acharya Tulsi: Fifty Years of Selfless Dedication (Edited) Prof. Bhatnagar was the Editor-in-Chief
  • Dharama Chakra Ka Pravartan (Hindi Edited)
  • Amrit Purush Acharya Tulsi (Hindi) (Authored)
  • Anuvrat Movement (English) (Edited and partially authored)
  • Translated Sahityalochan by Babu Shyam Sunderdas into English (Dissertation) (unpublished)
  • ANUVIBHA – a special report in Hindi on the International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action held at Ladnun from December 5 to 7, 1988 (chief editor).
  • Edited Ladnun Declaration (1988), Rajsamand Declaration on Training in Nonviolence (1991)and the 1995 Ladnun Declaration for a Nonviolent World and Ecological Harmony Through Spiritual Transformation (1995)
  • Edited the Special Commemorative issue of Anuvibha Reporter in sacred memory of late His Holiness Acharya TulsiOctober to December 1997
  • Edited the Special Issue of Anuvibha Reporter covering the proceedings of the IV ICPNA held in November 1999 in Delhi. It contains articles by delegates on Ahimsa and Conflict Managementand runs in 320 pages. It is hailed as a resource book in Ahimsa.
  • Authored a section on Jainism containing elucidations of about 80 Jaina technical terms of the book entitled Indian Philosophical Terms: Glossary and Sources, published jointly by K.J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham, Mumbai (India) and the Institute of Jainology, UK.
  • Translated into English three volumes of Manas, a Hindi classic on the patterns of human mind authored by Dr. Gulab Kothari.
  • Translated into English Purusharth Chatusthaya based on the philosophy of four pursuitsdharma, artha, kama andmoksha, a narrative poem by Dr. Gulab Kothari.

Articles Published in International Journals/Books

  • ‘Ritual and Symbol: Their Role in the Jain Religious Tradition` has been published in the special issue of “Dialogue and Alliance” spring 1990 volume – No. 1 published by International Religious Foundation, New York, USA.
  • `Nonviolent Jain Religious Tradion : Unique Features and Common Values` has been published in the special issue of Alliance and Dialogue Volume II – No. 2 Autumn/Winter 1997.
  • `Ethnic and Communal Conflicts with Particular Reference to the Indian Subcontinent: An Overview, Causes and Countermeasures` has been published in the book entitled `Peace Strategies for Global Community and the role of the UN in the 21st Century brought out by Kyung Hee University, Korea.

Posts Held in Various Institutions (Academic Employment)

  • Senior English Teacher, Gandhi Vidyalaya, Gulabpura (Rajasthan) 1961 to 1970
  • Post Graduate Teacher in English, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, India 1970 to 1986
  • Vice-Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (retired voluntarily in July 1993) 1987 to 1993
  • Was Head of the Department of English at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kota from Nov. 70 to July 77 and at K.V. No. 3 at Jaipur 1983 to 1987
  • Worked as Academic Director, Semester in India Programme for the Undergraduates of US Universities organized by Sann Research Institute, Boulders, USA, 2004 to 2007
  • Appointed to the core faculty of Intercultural Open University Foundation, as Professor of Sociology, 2008 to present

Experience of Teaching English as a Foreign Language & English Literature, Conducting ELT Orientation Courses and Overseeing and Guiding British Volunteer teachers

  • Taught English as a Foreign/Second Language to the students of Secondary and Senior Secondary classes at Gandhi Vidyalaya, Gulabpura and Kendriya Vidyalaya, India from 1961 to 1993.
  • Acted as a resource person in five ELT courses meant for Trained Graduate and Primary Teachers of Kendriya Vidyalayas from 1972 to 1986.
  • Conducted contact cum correspondence courses in ELT for the PRTs of the Schools I have worked.
  • Oversaw and guided British Volunteer Teachers posted at Gandhi Vidyalaya, Gulabpura under the joint sponsorship of the British Council of India and VSO England 1966 to 1970.
  • Was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing, guiding and helping the British and Foreign School Society Volunteer Teachers, Jaipur (1982 to 1983).