Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), and Public Health Evidence South Asia (PHESA), Prasanna School of Public Health, constituent units of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in association with Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University College London, UK organized a virtual symposium on “MAHATMA GANDHI IN THE 21st CENTURY” on 7th August 2020 as a part of Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) funded project. The purpose of this program was to allow Gandhian Thought and Philosophy to be widely disseminated among the intellectual circles.

The virtual symposium was a series of discourse by three eminent resource persons. Dr Krishna Kothai, Coordinator of Poornaprajna Centre for Research and Development, Udupi spoke on the significance of Gandhian economic thought. Ms Abhilasha, Principal of SMS English Medium School, Brahmavar, Udupi talked about Gandhian education: contemporary concerns and Professor Varadesh Hiregange, Director of Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences, MAHE, delivered a talk on World Peace and Gandhian Philosophy.

The event was attended by over 144 participants from different parts of the world including members of the SPARC project from Institute of Education, University College London, UK. The event was two hours long and participants made the best out of this time by raising questions and actively engaging with the speakers. All in all, it was a successful event to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr Judith A Noronha, Associate Dean Manipal College of Nursing Manipal welcomed the resource persons and participants. Dr Bhumika TV, Coordinator, PHESA, Prasanna School of public health, introduced the speakers. Dr Baby S Nayak, Head Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON Manipal and Indian Principal Investigator of SPARC project (MCON, MAHE) proposed vote of thanks. Dr Sonia RB D’Souza, Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MCON, MAHE, Manipal was the moderator for the event.