The Mahatma's voice is barely heard in the hustle and bustle of modern life. But there is one place in the city where the Mahatma's message still hold good. Gandhi Bhavan, situated on the busy Kumara Krupa Road, has a premises that is steeped in peace and quietude. The peaceful atmosphere brings to one's mind the ideals and life of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi's sayings are written on placards and displayed on the walls there.

Gandhi Bhavan in the city is a venue for many public meetings on Gandhian values throughout the year. Special programmes are held on October 2, the birthday of Gandhi and on January 30th, the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation. The Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi maintains the Bhavan.

Origin of Gandhi Bhavans in India: After Mahatma Gandhi passed away, Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (GSN) was established under the chairmanship of the then President, Rajendra Prasad. For the Nidhi (fund), money was collected nation wide. The aim of the Nidhi was to establish schools and leprosy centres all over the country, says S K Mohan, the Secretary of the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi.

With the fund collected, GSN centres were established during the 1950s in all the states to spread Gandhian thinking and ideals among the youth. Gandhian works were translated into Kannada during that period. Now each state has its GSN, he added. As far as Gandhi Bhavan in Bangalore is concerned, the land for it was granted by the State Government.

Today, Gandhi Bhavan houses other Gandhian institutions-Harijan Sewak Sangh, Gandhi Peace Foundation, Gandhi Picture Museum, Gandhi and National Literature Library and also a publication wing on Gandhian and National literature (where works in both Kannada and English are being sold). Adjacent to Gandhi Bhavan is Khadi Bhavan, where Khadi cloth and village industry products are available at reasonable prices.

Activities of Gandhi Bhavan
The Bhavan arranges for lectures and seminars relating to Gandhi and the National Movement themes. The Gandhi Bhavan also has a scheme for conducting examinations in Kannada for high school students on the same subject. Meetings are held regularly in taluks outside Bangalore district and in district centres, particularly in schools and colleges. "The main aim is to spread Gandhian thinking among the youth of this country. On October 2nd, Gandhi Jayanthi Day, an award is given to the best book published during that particular year on the subject of Gandhiji, Vinobaji and the National Movement. On January 30th all the Gandhian institutions in Gandhi Bhavan hold a prayer meeting after a Peace March from Gandhi Statue on M. G. Road to the Gandhi Bhavan," said S K Mohan.

The Picture Museum on Gandhiji's life here is open to the public on all days, he added. The library at the Gandhi Bhavan is also being used by students involved in research work on Gandhi's life and the National Movement.

This not too well known institution is doing much to preserve the voice of the Mahatma, a voice that is increasingly going unheard in our fast paced lives. Those who are interested in Gandhian ideals and the activities of the Gandhi Bhavan can contact S K Mohan at:

Address:
Gandhi Bhavan, Kumarakrupa Road, Bangalore.
Phone: 2331 1053

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