Join us in our mission to create a culture of peace and nonviolence. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of others.
Picture Credit: Adelaide Cole, CMU - OM, and MLK Mural - 2013
Our Philosophy
Our strength lies not just in words, but in our actions. Since our inception in 2000, we have understood the power of unity in overcoming challenges. This led to the establishment of AHINSA (Alliance for Humanitarian Initiatives Nonviolence and Spiritual Advancement) by sOm Sharma, where we aim to bring about positive change through our initiatives. AHINSA is an Interfaith, Inter-cultural forum for Peace, Nonviolence, and Spirituality
Our Impact
Making a Difference
AHINSA is committed to addressing the pressing issues in our society and creating lasting change. Our focus is broad, encompassing various programs that contribute to our mission.
Chandrika Tandon is a globally recognized Indian American business
leader, twice nominated GRAMMY® - winning artist, and humanitarian.
Chandrika's latest album Triveni won the GRAMMY® in Best New Age,
Ambient, or Chant in 2025. In 2015, the Tandon family donated $100
million to the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, now named the
NYU Tandon School of Engineering, in what was the largest donation by
an Indian American in the United States. More details can be found at
www.chandrikatandon.com.
Gandhi Day was celebrated on Sunday, October 6th 2024 at 2 pm in Rangos Ballroom of Jared L. Cohon University Center at Carnegie Mellon University featuring Creative Expressions winners and participants from elementary (grades 3 - 5), middle (grades 6 - 8), and high (grades 9 - 12) school students. The 2024 Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Celebration were organized by AHINSA with programming support from the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University. This year’s Gandhi Day theme was:
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Crafting Harmony in the Contemporary World
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Mahatma Gandhi - "In the pursuit of community harmony, let us remember that the foundation lies in the collective spirit of understanding and tolerance. We must strive for unity, embracing the diversity that enriches our shared existence. Nonviolence is the cornerstone; through it, we can craft a community where each individual contributes to the well-being of the whole. The path to harmony demands empathy, self-discipline, and a commitment to dialogue. In this collective endeavor, we build not just a community but a sanctuary of peace, echoing the principles that sustain humanity."
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Martin Luther King Jr. - “In the quest for community harmony, let us heed the call for justice, equality, and brotherhood. Driven by a dream of unity, we must confront the forces that divide us. Through love, understanding, and nonviolent resistance, we can forge a community where the content of character prevails over the color of skin. Together, we build bridges of empathy and compassion, dismantling the barriers that stand in the way of a harmonious society. In the tapestry of humanity, let our shared values weave a story of togetherness, where every individual contributes to the symphony of peace and justice.”
We had an engaging and transformative workshop focused on the principles and practices of peacebuilding and nonviolence on September 21, 2024 at Assembly Room, William Pitt Union. This workshop is a collaborative effort between the Center on Race and Social Problems, the David C. Frederick Honors College, and AHINSA.
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Featured speakers include:
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Dr. Raja Rosenhagen, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State, Bhagawan Vasu Pujya Swami Post-Doctoral Fellow in Jain Studies
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Morgan Overton, Artist-in-Residence at Frederick Honors College
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Dr. Sal Corbin, Board Chair for DC Peace Team, Training Coordinator for Maryland Harm Reduction Institute
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Rev. Paul Abernathy, Director of the Neighborhood Resilience Project
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Dr. Kyaien Conner, Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems​
