As we honor the first birth anniversary of Arun Gandhi April 14, 1934, since his passing on May 2, 2023, the Ahimsa Peace Institute stands in reverence to the profound impact he left on the world. Arun Gandhi, the 5th grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, dedicated his life to the principles of nonviolence, spreading his message of peace and compassion to all corners of the globe.

This year, the Season for Nonviolence 2024 holds special significance as we commemorate Arun’s life and teachings. Our journey began with a poignant participation in the United Nations ECOSOC Forum on January 30, 2024, marking the opening of the Season for Nonviolence. From there, we ventured into the heart of Las Vegas, embracing Title 1 schools where students face immense challenges daily. 

In these schools, where demographics paint a picture of adversity with 95% minority representation and 75% of students experiencing homelessness, Arun’s words found fertile ground. Through initiatives like sharing Arun’s book, “Be the Change,” distributing Gandhi Knowledge Cards, the Gandhi Legacy Tour of India The Book, we witnessed a transformative impact. Students grappled with the concept of passive violence, mirroring Arun’s own journey alongside his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. One unforgettable moment stands out amidst the sea of faces: a student, among all we reached, absorbing the message of nonviolence. Though not necessarily comfortable with it, the seeds of change were sown, echoing Arun’s belief in the profound, immeasurable impact of touching individual lives.

Arun’s legacy lives not only in grand gestures but in intimate connections with individuals, particularly children. He cherished these moments more than high-level meetings, embodying a commitment to people over programs. As we reflect on his life, we continue to uncover deeper layers of clarity, realizing that his influence will endure far beyond our lifetimes.

We also shared a unique tool with the children for practicing nonviolence: the “Seeds of Light Living and Journaling Your Legacy” publication and companion. This journal is a practical application of a lesson Arun learned as a young boy under Mahatma Gandhi’s tutelage. Inspired by Arun’s journey, we embarked on a quest to create a tangible representation of this teaching. Our decade-long search for such a tool culminated in the conceptualization of the Nonviolence Tree Journal—a symbol of growth, resilience, and the transformative power of nonviolence.

With Arun’s blessing and written agreement, we brought this vision to life, presenting it to him as a heartfelt gift on his birthday, April 14, 2022, the publication day. This journal serves as a testament to our commitment to carry forward his teachings, providing individuals with a tangible tool to cultivate nonviolence in their daily lives. We are deeply grateful that he was able to see and hold it before his passing and to receive his feedback of love, appreciation, kindness, understanding, acceptance, respect, and gratitude. On his birthday April 14, 2023, we are deeply grateful to have let him know how proud his ancestors must be and living loved ones are for a full life well lived carrying on his grandfather’s legacy and that he is one of the great ones. He touched so many people and organizations around the world. 

On April 17th, The Peace Alliance hosts a conversation with Lynnea Bylund as the featured speaker in honor of Arun at 5 pm Pacific Time, joining us together to celebrate his life and teachings. His words echo in our hearts, urging us to carry forward the torch of nonviolence in a world that often feels fraught with discord. Link to join the conversation.

In honor of Arun Gandhi’s legacy, we invite you to take action by donating to the Ahimsa Peace Institute. Your contribution will ensure that his message of peace continues to resonate, guiding future generations towards a more compassionate and harmonious world. Donations can be directed to AVANI, which was close to Arun’s heart and where he passed, or to Title 1 inner city youth, or to a Youth Impact screening of Ahimsa- Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless, a film featuring Arun Gandhi. Please specify where you would like your giving to go in the note accompanying your donation.

Join us in honoring Arun Gandhi’s memory and his timeless commitment to nonviolence. Together, let us embody his teachings and strive towards a future built on love, understanding, and ahimsa—the principle of nonviolence that he so passionately championed.

The Avani girls and staff remembering Arun on the 90th anniversary of his birth 2024.

“The thing that touches me most about my grandfather in the statement that he made just a month or so before his assassination when a journalist asked him what do you think will happen after your passing to your philosophy, and he made a very prophetic remark when he said, people will follow me in life, worship me in death, but might not make my cause their cause and that unfortunately is the tragedy not just for my grandfather but for all the great people, we elevate them to sainthoods, we worship them after they’re gone, but we will not make their cause our cause and their cause was to ensure that we bring peace in this world and we all live in harmony and oneness not just the majority of the people but all the people of the world.”

Arun Gandhi

5th Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi

June 7, 2015

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

– Saint Francis of Assisi

Current Programs 2024

AHIMSA GANDHI: The Power of the Powerless by Ramesh Sharma

Season for Nonviolence  Jan 30 – April 4, 2024

Daily Acts of Ahimsa 2024

AVANI Sponsor the Children Fund

Gandhian Books  | Ahimsa Merch

Satyagraha Tour of South Africa 2025

United Nations ECOSOC Consultative Status since July 23, 2015

Ahimsa Impact