Arun Gandhi
Arun Gandhi: A Life Devoted to Peace and Nonviolence
Full Name and Common Aliases
Arun Manilal Gandhi was the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and a renowned Indian social activist, writer, and peace advocate. He is commonly referred to as Arun Gandhi or Arihant Gandhi.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 4, 1934, in Porbandar, India, Arun Gandhi passed away on March 15, 2022, at the age of 87.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Arun Gandhi was an Indian citizen by birth and held dual citizenship with the United States. He worked as a peace activist, writer, and educator throughout his life.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in India during the tumultuous years of British rule, Arun Gandhi was deeply influenced by his grandfather's philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience. As a young boy, he witnessed firsthand the impact of Mahatma Gandhi's campaigns for Indian independence. After completing his education in India, Arun emigrated to the United States, where he earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Major Accomplishments
Arun Gandhi dedicated his life to spreading his grandfather's message of nonviolence and peace across the globe. He co-authored several books with his wife Sunanda Gandhi, including "The Gift of Anger: Use Passion to Build Not Destroy" and "Legacy of Love: My Search for Mahatma Gandhi". Arun also established the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Nonviolent Conflict Resolution at the University of California, Berkeley.
Notable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Arun Gandhi worked tirelessly to promote peace and understanding. Some notable works include:
Establishing the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Memphis, Tennessee, which aimed to create a culture of nonviolence and reconciliation.
Co-founding the Institute for Global Peace Studies at the University of San Diego.
* Participating in various peace missions around the world, including working with leaders in South Africa during the apartheid era.
Impact and Legacy
Arun Gandhi's life work had a profound impact on the world. He inspired countless individuals to adopt nonviolent methods of conflict resolution and social change. His dedication to promoting peace and understanding has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
As the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Arun's life work naturally carried great significance. However, his own contributions as a writer, educator, and peace advocate have earned him recognition in his own right. His commitment to spreading his grandfather's message of nonviolence has made him an enduring figure in the world of peace activism.
Arun Gandhi's passing leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire those who strive for a more peaceful world.
Quotes by Arun Gandhi

A man of few words will rarely be thoughtless in his speech- he will measure every word.

This world is what we have made of it. If it is ruthless today it is because we have made it ruthless by our attitudes. If we change ourselves we can change the world, and changing ourselves begins with changing our language and methods of communication.

Use your anger for good. Anger to people is like gas to the automobile – it fuels you to move forward and get to a better place. Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge. It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust.

Respect and humility go together. Humility is not meekness, but the opposite of arrogance. A wise old Indian man once said, “Empty drums make the loudest noise.” Grandfather often repeated this phrase to indicate that those with the least understanding are the most arrogant.

Your mind should be like a room with many open windows,” Bapuji told me. “Let the breeze flow in from all, but refuse to be blown away by any one.

The trouble between Hindus and Muslims, which has continued to this day, is not generated by the people's inability to get along, but by those in positions of power and influence who seek to exploit religious differences for personal gain.

The basis of Gandhi's nonviolence is to appeal to the good in others and evoke sympathy to one's cause through self-suffering.

Nonviolence is not just a state of being where violence is absent or invisible. It is a conscious, active effort not to harm anyone morally, spiritually, physically, mentally, economically, socially, or in any other way.

Religions are different roads converging upon the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads so long as we reach the same goal?

Respect and humility go together. Humility is not meekness, but the opposite of arrogance. A wise old Indian man once said, "Empty drums make the loudest noise." Grandfather often repeated this phrase to indicate that those with the least understanding are the most arrogant.