On April 30, 2025, Sevagram Ashram marked a significant milestone, entering its 90th year of service, following 89 years of dedication to humanity since its founding by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. On the occasion of Foundation Day, a special programme was organised at the Seminar Hall of Library and Research Centre of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan. It also marked the shifting of the Library and Research Centre in the premises adjacent to the Ashram on April 30, 2023. On the occasion of 150 th birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahatma, Ashram decided to rejuvenate its activities and develop in the vicinity of the Ashram, library, research centre for preserving and transmitting the heritage of Gandhian thought for the whole humanity. The Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan began the work of library, research centre and allied activities from the academic year 2021-2022. With the shifting of the library to the new premises the foundation day programme was included in the calendar of activities of the ashram.
The foundation day programme of this year included a presentation about the Sevagram Ashram based on photographs, taken in the 1950s, a few years after Bapu’s assassination in 1948. This presentation was based on the available archival material and documents of those days preserved in the library and research centre for studies. The library, research centre has been engaged in collecting various collections of archival data from its inception. It was through the support of National Gandhi Museum, regional Gandhi museums, government archives and private collectors that the research centre of the Ashram could enrich its collection. The presentation included 60 slides with descriptions of the main buildings of the ashram. Through the presentation the viewers could glimpse the vibrant life of the ashram during that era.
The presentation included photos starting from main entrance from Wardha Sevagram road where the name Ashram is written different languages including Hindi , Tamil, Urdu and English representing different languages and cultural traditions, various heritage buildings including Adi Nivas, Ba Kuti, Akhri Niwas, residence of Secretaries, hut of a leprosy patient, open prayer ground , kitchen, Khadi Niwas, residence of workers, guest house, pipal and bakul planted by Gandhi and Kasturba respectively, and important exhibits . It was surprising for many viewers the only photo kept in Gandhi’s time was of Jesus Christ along with Al Fateha in Arabic and its translation, a quote from Ruskin in English and its translation. The books for daily reading kept near his seat included Words of Prophet Muhammed, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Ashram Bhajanavali, Ram Charit Manas and Anecdotes of Hajrat Mohammed. The original copper vessel in which the ashes of Mahatma were also visible in the exhibits. The last item in the presentation was a community spinning in the ashram. This presentation was prepared by Dr. Siby K Joseph, Gandhian Scholar and academic currently serving the Director of Library and Research Centre.
Three short videos were also screened on the occasion which included portraying Gandhi and Kasturba, Gandhi with C F Andrew, Gandhi planting trees, spinning, Gandhi massageing a leprosy patient, Parchure Shastri solemnising the inter caste marriage, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel. Abdul Ghaffar Khan and ashram inmates are prominently seen in these videos.
Shri Vijay Tambe, Secretary of the Ashram addressed the gathering and the significance of this collection. Dr. Siby K. Joseph also gave details of the videos and photos. The participants felt that the replica of the photo of Jesus Christ should be kept in the same place in the Bapu Kuti and the Copper vessel in which Gandhi’s ashes were kept for immersion should be relocated for the benefit of visitors paying tribute to Mahatma. The programme was attended by the staff members of the ashram, representatives of various organisations, institutions , well wishers and students.
The photo exhibition of presentation is arranged in the library premises for the benefit of people who could not attend the programme and for the visitors who are coming to the library and research centre. The screening of videos will also be made on request for various groups.
