No place for UNESCO-backed Gandhi institute at Rajghat

A UNESCO-backed institute to be set up to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary in October will not find any place at Rajghat because of "important visitors" and conferences during the Commonwealth Games, among other reasons.

Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, the vice-chairperson of which is Gandhi's grand-daughter Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, has refused to give even "temporary" space to the centre -- Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) -- at the Gandhi Darshan site adjacent to Rajghat, where the father of the nation was cremated.

The result is that a place is yet to be found for locating the MGIEP, even though the scheduled inauguration is to coincide with Gandhi's 141st birth anniversary on October 2.
   
The UNESCO had in October last year given its approval to India's proposal to set up the world-class institute during its 35th General conference.

Secretary (Higher Education) in the ministry of human resource and development Vibha Puri Das had recently written a letter to Bhattacharjee requesting that the MGIEP be allowed to run temporarily from the Samiti campus abutting Rajghat.

The chairperson of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti is prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Das, in her letter, had written that government of India is committed to providing suitable infrastructure for this institute.

She said Karan Singh, president of Indian Council of Cultural Relations and member, executive board, UNESCO has suggested that the institute could be temporarily housed in premises of Gandhi Smriti till an independent infrastructure in created.

"I have personally visited the site and have been immensely impressed by the ambiance as well as infrastructure and amenities available at your campus."

"It will be befitting to start this world-class institute near Rajghat which continues to inspire all those who seek a better future for humanity," Das wrote.

However, Bhattacharjee told PTI that placing the institute "in our premises is not possible".

Earlier, Bhattacharjee, in her letter to Das, expressed gratefulness for sharing such an "important idea" but said, "At present there are many crucial issues with our own projects and programmes. We have also to keep in view the important visitors and conferences in Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti during Commonwealth Games."

In further correspondence to Das, Bhattacharjee wrote on July 15, "We should not make any decision that will be unfair to this internationally important Category-I UNESCO Institute as well as ideals of Gandhi Smriti and Drashan Samiti."

Asked about the upcoming institute, Bhattacharjee said, "It is nice that such an institute is being set up in India. Gandhi Darshan has limited space and the institute does not have to be housed there. We have an international research centre which we want to expand along with a large library.

"Our effort should be to learn the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. We are looking at working closely with the institute."

On the issue of the Games coming in way of the inauguration of the institute, she said, "This is a small reason. Visitors coming for Commonwealth Games are guests for India as well as for Delhi. Many would want to come over and learn about Gandhi by staying there since we have some rooms and facilities."

When told that a place is yet to be decided for the inauguration of the institute, she said, "UN has enough strength to acquire beautiful places. Inauguration can be done from anywhere."

The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) under the finance
ministry had recently given its nod for establishment of the institute. As per the plan, the government will invest Rs 100
crore while UNESCO will put in USD five lakh (Rs 2.5 crore)
for setting up the institute.

The UNESCO Category-I Institute will foster a culture of peace through education and promote sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights.

It will work in several areas, including global warming and non-proliferation. It will do research on Gandhian thoughts on social justice, equity and peace.

At present, there are 11 UNESCO Category-I institutes and most of them are located in developed countries.