Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma, to Speak at Holy Cross

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Born in 1934 in Durban, South Africa, Arun grew up under discriminatory apartheid laws. As a person of Indian heritage, he suffered racial confrontations with both blacks and whites. Beatings from white South Africans for being too "black," and from black South Africans for being too "white" filled Arun with anger and hatred. Fearing more violence, his parents sent him to stay with his grandfather in India when he was 12 years old. His time in India proved both dangerous and exciting, as the country was in the midst of a revolution to gain independence from British rule. However, the 18-month stay transformed Arun's life and shaped the foundation of his life's work as a powerful advocate for nonviolence.

After leading several successful projects for social and economic reform in India, Arun came to the United States where he founded the Institute he runs with his wife. Dedicated to fostering an understanding of nonviolence, and to putting that philosophy to practical use, the organization sponsors workshops, lectures and community outreach programs.

A speaker of international acclaim, Arun has shared his grandfather's lessons on violence and anger at hundreds of colleges and universities, corporate, and civic organizations. His experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world.

A former journalist at The Times of India, where he worked for 30 years, Arun is the author of several books, including A Patch of White, about life in South Africa, M.K. Gandhi's Wit & Wisdom, and most recently The Forgotten Woman: The Untold Story of Kastur, the Wife of Mahatma Gandhi, with his wife Sunanda.

Dedicated to educating the community about the culture and history of India, INDIA has planned a series of events in conjunction with Arun's talk on Oct. 21.

• On Monday, October 4, INDIA will be selling T-shirts and serving cake from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. in the Hogan First Floor Lobby in honor of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday which is October 2.
• On Tuesday, October 19, INDIA will host "Dinner & A Movie" in room 519 of the Hogan Campus Center. Pizza will be served (with meal invalidation) and the film "Gandhi," a biography of Mahatma Gandhi's life, will be shown so that students and others on campus can re-familiarize themselves with Gandhi’s role in India's history. Those interested should sign up in the Hogan 1st Floor Lobby on Monday, Oct. 4.
• INDIA encourages the community to join them in Kimball Theatre at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20 for the film, "Osama." Starring Marina Golbahari, the film tells the story of a 12-year-old Afghan girl and her mother who lose their jobs when the Taliban closes the hospital where they work. In turn, the girl disguises herself as a man so she can help earn money for food.
• Following Arun's lecture, on Friday, October 22, INDIA will sponsor a luncheon from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Dinand Faculty Room where students, faculty and staff can share their impressions and reflections on his talk.

For additional information contact student organizer Vidhi Misra at vmisra@holycross.edu.