Bereft of students, Gandhian School might close down

Gandhigiri may be in vogue for students of the Lucknow University LU to put forth their demand and register protests. But when it comes to learn the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the students do not seem interested at all.

Gandhigiri may be in vogue for students of the Lucknow University LU to put forth their demand and register protests. But when it comes to learn the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the students do not seem interested at all.

So, two years after the Centre of Gandhian Thoughts was set up at the university, the authorities have decided to postpone the admission of students, citing poor response.

The centre was established under Department of Education and two courses 8212; a nine-month diploma and a six-month certificate course8212; were launched. The total number of seats in these courses was 30 and students had to pay Rs 1500 and Rs 800 for diploma and certificate courses respectively.

The centre had first begun admitting students in these courses in 2006-07 through LU Specified Courses Admission Programme. The authorities at the centre said that in the first year over a dozen candidates had applied for admission but later only four candidates took admission.

In 2007-08, the university again invited applications and then 16 candidates took admissions. 8220;But 12 students left the course in middle of session,8221; Prof U C Vashistha, the head of the centre said.

Vashistha told that fresh applications for admission will be invited only in the next academic session. 8220;The centre was set up to make people aware of the life and thoughts of Mahatama Gandhi. Along with theoretical lectures, students were to be sent on tours to places related with Gandhiji, like Sabarmati, Porbandar and others. Likewise students were to be sent to villages and hospitals for service of needy persons, as Gandhiji had done,8221; Vashistha said.

He said perhaps the younger generation is not interested in learning the philosophy of Gandhiji and serving the mankind.

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8220;In fact, when the admission procedure was on, few students contacted for admission but later they dropped the idea when they came to know that the course did not provide any career opportunity,8221; said another teacher of the centre.

Last year, the UN General Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution to declare October 2, Mahatma Gandhi8217;s birth anniversary, as the International Day of Non-violence so that the message of 8220;peace through non-violence8221; is promoted around the world.

8220;But it is unfortunate that in LU, the centre is on the verge of closure due to lack of interest about the ideology of Gandhiji, although people resort to Gandhigiri to press for their demands,8221; the teacher said.