On the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 'Living Gandhi Memorial' that celebrates the life, values, and enduring vision of the Father of the Nation, blending heritage with cutting-edge technology, was unveiled at the Nisarg Gram campus of the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), Pune.. Pratap Rao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health and Family Welfare, dedicated the memorial to the nation on October 2. Prof (Dr) K Satya Lakshmi, Director, NIN, when contacted, told The Indian Express that the innovative memorial will soon feature a state-of-the-art, AI-powered museum incorporating hologram technology to depict key facets of Gandhi’s life and legacy. "It will also explore the pivotal role of naturopathy during India’s freedom struggle, an area Gandhi deeply championed,” the director said. The memorial will bring to life Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of 'Self-Health-Reliance', highlighting his contributions to natural healing and holistic well-being. Central to the exhibit will be Gandhi’s association with Dr Dinshah K Mehta, a pioneer of Nature Cure in India, whose clinic — now known as Bapu Bhavan at NIN — played a crucial role in the development of naturopathy in the country. The museum will also showcase notable freedom fighters and personalities such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Aruna Asaf Ali, Jayaprakash Narayan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehr,u and even Nathuram Godse, who visited the clinic. Many of them were introduced to naturopathy through Gandhi’s personal interactions or correspondence, underlining his influence in promoting natural health practices among India’s leaders. Charkha session and Nakshatra garden On the occasion, the Union Minister also spun yarn on Gandhi's charkha and encouraged others to participate in the spinning activity. The minister also planted various medicinal plants at the Nakshatra Garden. NIN authorities said that this was a unique garden conceptualized on the theme of the 27 Nakshatras (lunar constellations). The vast garden is systematically divided into sections – each dedicated to a particular Nakshatra such as Ashwini, Rohini and others. Medicinal plants are cultivated in alignment with the characteristics and attributes of the respective Nakshatras towards creating a harmonious blend of astronomy and nature. Fellowship in Gandhian Studies The Department of Gandhian Studies at NIN offers a six-month fellowship programme in Gandhian Philosophy, open to both Indian and international applicants. "The fellowship is designed to deepen the understanding of Gandhi’s values and their relevance in contemporary society. Over 80 candidates have already been awarded fellowships under this programme,” Prof Lakshmi said. "Through these initiatives, the National Institute of Naturopathy is committed to preserving and promoting the holistic philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Dinshah K. Mehta —encouraging future generations to embrace self-reliance, natural healing and sustainable health practices,” she added.
