::Welcome to Shanti Ashram::

Education plays a vital role in human life. A child’s mind is vibrant and open. Learning by doing, is natural to a child.
Creative and productive activity is the best medium of learning. Creative education, as distinct from formal
education, shapes the personality of a young person.

In many nation states, the present pattern of polity is Representative Democracy. While Representative
Democracy has its place and purpose, participatory democracy is needed at the local level.
Local Democracy helps people to manage their own civic affairs. It should give the people,
at the grass roots, both political power and financial resources to achieve meaningful development.
Decentralized democracy will be a non-violent democracy.
It will lead to a Non-violent World Order.

I came to Japan for the first time in August, 1964- about 30 years ago, I visited Tokyo and Kyoto. I also visited
Hiroshima & Nagasaki. I travelled all over Japan from Kyusyu to Hokkaido. Of all the new experiences
I had in Japan, the most powerful, the most moving, and the most upsetting experiences was my experience
at Hiroshima. The atomic museum, the peace memorial, the skeleton commercial exhibition building,
the atomic hospital, all made an extraordinary impact upon my mind and heart.

I was already a believer in non-violence, thanks to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi,
but Hiroshima and Nagasaki instantly transformed me into an ardent peace worker.

With a vision of human destiny, a Hindu household is God-centric. In a Hindu home, however humble,
there is a small shrine. The home life centres on the worship of the divine. With this view of life,
the family and the home acquire a spiritual dimension and life becomes rich in
love and happiness.

Human relationships are the essence of life. The love that binds husband and wife as equal partners in
the pursuit of Dharma; the love that binds the brothers and sisters, the love that binds, in a most delightful way,
the grand children and the grand parents, the love that binds one and all- this is an extra
ordinary psychological phenomenon. Religion and spirituality
are the bedrock of such family life.

Tolerance of religions and cultural differences must lead to mutual respect and positive appreciation.
Pluralism is a reality of the present day world. We must learn to accept it.

Education for human values, cultivation of universal values, and the whole movement of value
education is important in building a peaceful society.

The time has come when power should flow back to the people and India should be strength in
Every way
Practically, economically and educationally.

If Potential power, Economic planning and Education Management are reviewed and strengthened
In line with the Indian spirit and the global reality
There will be a new renaissance, a new flowering of life.