Mr. Lavanam, a Humanist, Gandhian, and Atheist from India will speak on Gandhian philosophy and milestones in his life on Thursday, Sept 23, at 7 p.m. in G26 McEwen Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus.
Mr. Lavanam’s talk is titled, “Historical Perspective of Gandhi's Vision of the Future. The Role of Asia. Who Can Save the Future?” Lavanam, whose name means “salt” in the Sanskrit language, is an active Gandhian from India whom has participated and organized various social work projects, rehabilitation movements, and women empowerment reforms in his lifetime.
Lavanam was the eldest son of Gora and Saraswati Gora, both revolutionary social reformers of modern Andhra Pradesh in India. Gora was the founder of the first ever Atheist center in India and also a close associate to the late Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, Gora named his son in memory of the Salt Law defiance movement undertaken by Gandhi, and Lavanam went on to also have a close relationship between with Gandhi when Lavanam was young.
Growing up in an atmosphere of Gandhian philosophy in addition to his family ties to Gandhi led Lavanam to seek social change at the age of 12. His first project was as a volunteer in the independence movement acting as a courier.
Now 80 years old, Lavanam still approaches whatever work he undertakes to be along the lines of the constructive programs of Mahatma Gandhi and secular and rationalist approaches of Gora. He applies the core Gandhian strategy of resolving social conflicts through peaceful means and negotiations.
Staying true to his faith in Gandhi and his teachings, Lavanam has always followed the dictum that “active persuasion and passive control” is the key to success of social change and reconstruction efforts.
The presentation is sponsored by the Departments of Economics, History, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, with funding provided by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. It is open to the public and free of charge. or 716-673-3123.
To learn more, contact Dr. Jack Croxton of SUNY Fredonia’s Department of Psychology at Jack.Croxton@fredonia.edu.
