Gandhi's University

Still in Ahmedebad we visited Gandhi’s university where he was the first Chancellor. Met with the registrar who explained the university's roots in Gandhi’s philosophy of education (eerily similar to his contemporary John Dewey, learn by doing) Today the students have formal education in their field of study ( specializing in rural technology development and environmental sustainability) and informal education living communally in hostels where they grow their own food, clean their own rooms as well as the whole campus—learning valuable lessons about collaboration and self reliance. Eventually we were told it was time to go to—a play, a parade? We couldn’t understand but then realized it was to a prayer service. It turned out the we were both the parade and the players placed on a stage in front of 400 students who engaged in a prayer service while spinning. (Gandhian exercise in meditation and self sufficiency to make your own thread then woven into Kadi cloth) The prayers here and in the Ashram's are interfaith, as part of Gandhi's life goal of heal the schism between faith and promoting unity of spiritual devetion to whatever supreme being you desire.

After the service we met with the current Vice Chancellor ( who essentially is the President) for a stimulating conversation on the deeper meaning of service from his point of view. As a leader, how can you be effective unless you put ego aside, finding your self in others and others in you. In other words if see me in you, how can I not want to listen to you, understand your needs and equate your importance as equal to my own? Good question.