CENTRE OF GANDHIAN STUDIES

 The Centre of Gandhian Studies was established on 2/10/2000, under the scheme of Epoch making thinkers of the UGC. UGC released the grant of Rs. 3,50,000 /- as one time non recurring grant to the Centre & annually a recurring grant of Rs. 4,70,000 is released on the background of the work carried out by the Centre. UGC recognized the Centre for the second phase i.e. 2004 to 2009, perhaps the only Centre recognized in the 2nd Phase.
The major objectives behind the establishment of the Centre is to propagate social and political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi & Neo Gandhians to the students & other members of the society through lectures & workshops, to conduct research in the above areas, to publish research work produced by Research Scholars, lectures & Seminars.

1. Gandhism & Neo – Gandhism.

2. Rural Development.

3. New Social Movements & Gandhism.

4. Freedom Movement & role of different sections.

In order to disseminate Gandhian Philosophy amongst the students & society. The Centre started two P. G. Diploma Courses:

• P.G.Diploma in Gandhian Studies. (Started 2003-04)
• P.G.Diploma in Rural Development.(Started in 2004-05)

The students any Graduate of any discipline can offer the courses can offer these courses while studying Post-graduate courses in other University Departments. To motivate the students to take up these diploma courses stipend is given by the Centre.

The Centre has LCD Projector, Two Computers, Two Printers, One Laptop, Handy camera, Tape Recorder, OHP, Internet and other facilities which are available to the students, researchers and teachers.

The Centre has a number of cassettes of the lectures delivered by eminent scholars. The Centre has a CD which consists of 100 volumes of collected works of Mahatma Gandhi. The Central Library has 746 books on the subject of Mahatma Gandhi and the Department Library has 121 books, Journals & Reports.

Although the Centre has no permanent faculty, the activities of the Centre are carried out by the Coordinator of the Centre of Gandhian Studies. Currently Dr. Bharati Patil, from Department of Political Science is working as the Coordinator. The teaching work is carried out by the contributory teachers hailing from different faculties. Following is the Faculty of the Centre:

• Dr. Bharati Patil Coordinator, Centre of Gandhian Studies, Dept of Political Science

• Prof Ashok Chousalkar Dept of Political Science

• Prof. R. B. Patil Dept of Sociology

• Prof R. G Dandge Dept of Economics

• Prof P. A. Koli Retired Professor of Economics

• Dr. J.R. Dabhole Retired Professor of Philosophy

• Prof R. G. Waradkar Retired Professor of Political Science

• Dr. M. P. Patil Dept of History

• Dr. P. R. Bhanumate Dept of Economics

• D. Shrikant Dept of Sociology

The Centre has jointly organized many programmes in collaboration with different social organizations in Maharashtra. The prominent among them are : Centre for Study of Society and Secularism; Mumbai, Samajwadi Prabodhini; Ichalkaranji, Pradnya Pathshala; Wai and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Academy; Satara. Also it has jointly organized some programmes in collaboration with the University departments of Political Science, History, Sociology , & Journalism, M.B.A.

Along with Seminars & workshops the Centre organizes exhibitions of rare photographs, film shows on Gandhi’s Life & Gandhian themes, One Act Plays, Street Plays etc.

The Centre encourages Students to participate in Workshops, Seminars organized by the centre as well as organized by other Gandhian Centers & Institutions. Students have made their contribution & presentations at the workshops, seminars organized by Gandhi Ashram ,Wardha, Gandhi Study Centre, Jalana, etc.

• Research Project on “Freedom Fighteres in Kolhapur District: Experiences and Expectations.” by Dr. R. B. Patil.

• Research Project on “Lok Bharati Gram Vidyapeeth: Nai Talim & Rural Development ” by Dr. R. B. Patil.

• Ram Bapat - ‘Swaraj and State,’ (In Marathi) 2003.

• A. S. Chousalkar(Ed.)-‘Development and Interpretation of Gandhism in Maharashtra,’ (In Marathi) 2003.

• Pannalal Surana - ‘Mahatma Gandhi & Problems of Dalit’, (In Marathi) 2004.

• Sanjay Sangvai - ‘New forms of Contemporary Satyagraha struggles,’ (In Marathi) 2004.

• Datta Savale, “Mahatma Gandhi and Champaran Movement – People and Techniques”, (In Marathi) 2007.

• Smt. Neelam Parikh, ‘Harilal Gandh’ (In Hindi) 2007.

• S. S. Pandharipande, ‘Dhirendra Mujumdar – Life & Work.’ (In Marathi) 2007.

• A. S. Chousalkar ‘Hind Swaraj & the concept of Atmabal’, (In Marathi) 2008.

• Fakruddin Bennur, ‘Gandhi’s Histriography & Hind Swaraj :An Analysis’(In Marathi) 2009.