The 2nd of October, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, was chosen as the International Non-Violence Day by the United Nations in 2007. The students and staff of GIIS Abu Dhabi campus celebrated Gandhi’s universal values of peace and tolerance in October 2015 in a special way by choosing age-appropriate activities for the little ones.

The students created a large collage of Gandhi with the help of their teachers. It was amazing to the see the enthusiasm of the students in drawing lines and colouring the drawing sheets that were pieces of the large picture. As the students settled down in the Multi-Purpose Hall of the school for the event, a serene and respectful environment took over.

The programme began with the anchor welcoming everyone and inviting the music teacher to lead the Mahatma’s favourite Bhajan ‘Vaishnava Janato’. As she began singing, students lined up on the stage to pay tribute to the great personality by forming a big collage of his face. Every single student present in the school went up on the stage to pay respect to the Mahatma who is not only known as the ‘Father of Nation’ in India but also is a guiding light for the whole world for non-violence.

This was followed by KG 2 students reiterating their faith in the values propounded by Gandhiji - Truth, self-reliance, simplicity, non-violence and abstaining from all vices. It was heartening to see the Pre-primary students holding up poster on universal values. They marched in to the tune of ‘Vande Mataram’ rendered melodiously by the music teacher.

The entire event was broadcasted to other GIIS Campuses worldwide with active participation by many campuses.

The most important part of the programme was interaction with Dr. Justice C. S. Dharmadhikari, who is the Patron of Global Schools Foundation and founder of Global Indian Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Universal Values. Justice Dharmadhikari is a Gandhian and believes in the principle of simple living and high thinking.

Dr. Justice C. S. Dharmadhikari watched the programme over video conference and was delighted to see the act by the little ones. Speaking on universal values of peace and tolerance, he mentioned that non-violence as a doctrine by Mahatma Gandhi is a way of peaceful coexistence. Peace is required for children to blossom and parents need to consolidate the same for the benefit of the society at large. He urged each and every one to share with the less fortunate and as a large family of this universe, also share joy and peace.

He touched upon the topic of importance of Universal Values in Education. Justiceji urged the teachers to be the torchbearers for inculcating universal values among GIIS Abu Dhabi students by setting themselves as examples. The teachers and management of GIIS Abu Dhabi were inspired by the speech of Dr. Justice Dharmadhikari and were more than ever motivated to make a difference to the institution that hosts the future generation of the world.

“A teacher should be a mother to all her students. A mother of 4 children never divides her love as a fraction of her number of children and care only 25 % for each child. To her every child is 100% and, therefore, every teacher must love each child as her own.“

Dr. Justice C.S. Dharmadhikari
Former President & Co-Founder,
Global Schools Foundation