Sabarmati Ashram doubles as hub for researchers to study Gandhi's life

It was one of nerve centres of India's Independence movement and in 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led Dandi March from Ahmedabad, showing world that n-violence was most powerful weapon of protest.

Today, Sabarmati ashram works to preserve Gandhi's herit, legacy and ideology, and has turned into a hub for researchers to study his life, which has inspired several movements and leaders across world.

On banks of Sabarmati river in Gujarat, ashram was established after Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1917 and it used to be one of his many residences when he was t in prison or travelling.

It was from this place that calls for home rule and later, self rule and independence were made.

"Our mandate is to maintain and preserve Mahatma Gandhi's herit and work. While doing so we are also involved in spreading his ideology to a larger audience," said ashram's director Atul Pandya.

In recognition of significant influence that Dandi March or Salt Satyagraha had on independence movement, government had established ashram as a national monument.

act of n-violence, launched on March 12, 1930, from ashram against British Raj's salt laws galvanised millions of Indians against British Raj. 384-km march ended after 24 days at salt pans of Navsari district.

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Historians describe event as one that shook foundations of British in India.

Eighty-nine years later, ashram, where numerous campaigns and n-violent agitations were planned, preserves several writings of Gandhi.      

Gandhi's way of life and his ideologies, and serenity at ashram attracts thousands from across world, including researchers and academicians, said staff members.

To furr spread Gandhism, a herit portal on Mahatma is being maintained by ashram and it has received huge response.

Pandya said ashram has thousands of writings of Gandhi.

"Scholars from around world who undertake research on Gandhi's life approach us and we provide m whatever material we have," he said.

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herit portal with Gandhi's complete works uploaded is doing a great service to spread his ideas, ashram's director said.

ashram w also has a museum called 'Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya'. This was originally located at Hridaya Kunj, Gandhi's own cott in ashram.

museum has "My Life is My Mess" gallery that has eight life-size paintings and over 250 photo-enlargements of some of most vivid and historic events of Gandhi's life.

"Gandhi in Ahmedabad" gallery tracks Mahatma's life in Ahmedabad from 19151930.

Gandhian way of life is still relevant, said staff of ashram, which stands as one of profound symbols of Mahatma's ideologies. 

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