The lecture presents some of the principles, ideas and alternatives of Mahatma Gandhi’s transformational leadership that can help address the pressing social and ecological challenges of our times. The life of this extraordinary individual, it is argued, provide lessons of personal growth and transformation. These lessons offer us invaluable advice on leading an enlightened life - a more meaningful, spiritual, ethical, compassionate, socially responsible and saner life. The talk will cover Gandhi‘s three gifts to humanity: Satyagraha (non-violent civil disobedience), serving the poorest of the poor through constructive programs, and eleven vows for voluntary self-control. The originality of these ideas and their inviolable connection contains Gandhi’s vision of a compassionate and a spiritually uplifting life. He evolved these ideals through his self-practice throughout his life and took these ideas to new heights as a role model for humanity. In the twentieth century, Gandhi emerged as a powerful antithesis to man’s cruelty and intolerance. He became the voice of sanity, a beacon of hope for peace-minded and tolerant individuals, and continues to be an inspiration around the globe. The lecture will also highlight Mahatma Gandhi‘s life, thoughts, experience and messages, and his vision of a non-violent society, truth and purity of means as the guiding principles of his life. He followed the inner voice throughout his life and he could justifiably say to the world that ‘My Life is My Message’.

About Shobhana Radhakrishna

Shobhana Radhakrishna’s cherished aim is to reintroduce Mahatma Gandhi to the people of India as well those abroad. Mahatma Gandhi’s thought and principles can guide the people as it has the strength to inspire and bring about change. Imbibing Gandhiji’s values as she grew up in his ashram (settlement) in Sevagram in Wardha, Shobhana’s focal point is the Gandhian way of life and serving humanity. She believes that the Mahatma inspired many and gave strength to bring about change. In an era where the moral compass is being compromised in the name of progress and pragmatism her lectures and training programs have highlighted the relevance of Gandhian ethics and values as well his lessons of personal growth. She is the Chief Functionary of the ‘Gandhian Forum for Ethical Corporate Governance’ formed by the ‘Standing Conference of Public Enterprises’ (SCOPE) for promoting ethical business practices and organizational integrity in Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) of the Government of India. The Forum aims to promote ethical business practices, organizational integrity and social responsibility in the public, private and manufacturing sectors. She has over 35 years of experience in social work in development projects in different parts of India. Her background of Gandhian constructive work and Sarvodaya for sustainable development and welfare of underprivileged communities has led her to dedicate her life to the cause of serving the poor in obtaining gender equity and self-reliance, peace, justice and dignity.