2025 Gandhi Day was celebrated on Sunday, September 28th featuring keynote speaker was Dr. Joseph S. Alter, Director of Asian Studies Center and Professor of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh. Gandhi Day event was held at 2 pm in Rangos Ballroom of Jared L. Cohon University Center at Carnegie Mellon University to celebrate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and the work he did for peace worldwide. The Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Celebrations 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 "Peace Begins With Me: Embracing Gandhian Values in Daily Life". Through out the event there were several profoundly elegant dance performances that were blended with various speakers who discussed the countless ways that Mahatma Gandhi fought for peace and non-violence over the course of his life.
Participants gathered for an uplifting interactive session led by Srujana Kanjula and Bhavini Patel. The session invited everyone to pause, reflect, and embody Mahatma Gandhi’s time less message that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a way of life that begins within each of us. Quoting Gandhi’s words — “The greatest power in the world is that of the Soul and Peace is its highest expression” — the facilitators reminded the audience that peace starts in our thoughts, words, and daily choices. The interactive activity encouraged participants to form small groups, discuss what peace means to them, and create Peace Pledges—personal or collective promises to live by Gandhian principles such as nonviolence, compassion, empathy, and truth.
Using simple materials—paper, markers, and plenty of open-hearted conversation—participants expressed profound insights and commitments. Groups eagerly shared their pledges with one another, creating a moving tapestry of human connection, mindfulness, and hope. The pledges were then displayed on a vibrant Peace Wall, symbolizing the community’s shared vision that peace truly begins within each of us.
Some of the pledges reflected gentle self-awareness:
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“I will try to really listen to others and not just hear.”
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“I will protect the peace that I have built within myself and my family.”
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“I pledge to respond, not react.”
Others emphasized compassion and empathy:
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“I pledge to be the kind of person people can talk to without fear of being judged.”
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“Give people grace and the benefit of the doubt as you never know what someone else is going through.”
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“I pledge to help promote Gandhian principles in our community.”
Still others highlighted collective and creative expressions of peace:
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“We pledge to be less judgmental and respect everyone’s opinion.”
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“I will dance for peace, as those who dance together find peace together.”
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“We pledge not to be so serious and have fun in life.”
From mindful listening and forgiveness to promoting kindness and unity, the over sixty pledges collected during the event captured the heart of Gandhian philosophy—living peace as a daily practice.
