The world holds the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and it’s his ideology on non-violence that has shaped different practices on humanity. “Gandhi Today: Relevancy of Gandhi” was organized by Centre for Research and Sustainable Development(Creason),Gandhian Studies and Peace Centre and Nepal Policy Centre to mark the 150th Gandhi Jayanti. This interaction programme was held on 29th November,2018 in Staff Administrative college in the presence of political leaders, academicians, Indian ambassador to Nepal, civil society media persons and concerned stakeholders.
Former President of Nepal Dr.Ram Baran Yadav was the chief guest, Dammanath Dhungana was the Chairperson , Shree Yashwant Sinha an Indian leader who is also the former minister was the key note person. The panelist included an Indian leader Satrughan Sinha, Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi,intellectual Pradip Giri, Nepal Communist Party Leader Ram Karkee, Naya Shakti Party leader Baburam Bhattarai.
The debate on Gandhian ideas and principles have been widespread in the contemporary world. The beliefs and practices of Gandhi were in diverse issues. Yaswant Sinha highlighted on democratic decentralization linking with the ideas of freedom of Gandhi. He focused on freedom being complete only with democratic decentralization.Furthemore, the concern of environment by Gandhi has a relevance to this contemporary phase hence, he insisted on the protection of environment. Indian ambassador to Nepal focused on the traditional values of non-violence existed in the contemporary world. Similarly, Satrughan Sinha the Indian political leader identified the Power and truth seeking as the relevancy of ideologies of Gandhi. Ram Karki came up with contradictions between Marx and Gandhi in their ideologies and the need for its meeting point is necessity for this contemporary world.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai focused on new ideas as necessity and the learning from old thoughts via experiences. He stated the importance and need of scientific humanism in the contemporary era towards Gandian relevance.
Bimalendra Nidhi highlighted on ecology based view of Gandhi in this contemporary era. Dr. Ram Baran Yadav focused on implementation of constitution and environmental protection. Similarly, Pradip giri gave his insights on Gandhian values and his practices.
World’s agenda towards linking Marxism and Gandhian was also the major debate and identifying common fundaments of two different ideologies was a new insight in the debate.

-Bijayaa Dahal for LiveMandu