The child's road to peace

WHERE DOES one find lasting peace? For most people that would be a philosophical question. Not so for a child, whose world is a colourful dream.

Touching the hearts and minds of children is a new effort by the Gandhi Peace Foundation to spread the Mahatma's message.

The Foundation secretary, Dr.S. Kulandhaisamy has authored a set of five books that offer to young minds, a self- study course on Gandhian ideals.

``The idea is to help children learn by means of a free-flowing, dialogue form, that peace and the power to make peace lies within. The books deal with constructive work and selfless nation building activities, on the lines of Gandhian precepts,'' the author notes.

The ideas take the form of a story about the `evolution' of a precocious 8-year-old boy with an intelligent, questioning mind, full of creative energy trying to realise his full potential.

The young protagonist `Kutti' (and in later chapters along with his alter-ego Pinku) blossoms into a youth who plunges into nationbuilding, armed with the greatest weapon - a mind of peace.

That is what the self-study course is all about.

In the first book, the boy learns how all things are divine, each demanding utmost reverence. This is explained by a class trip in which the boy feels that the school bus too has life.

But his insightful questions get no answers from teachers.

In the second book, the boy ``experiments with truth'' and finds ``Peace within''; and its partly through hard labour and ethical work. The third book explains `Pinku's growth by breaking inner barriers once he realises his potential. (Akin to Gandhiji's evolution in South Africa to champion specific causes). This book explains Gandhi's eleven ``virtues'' in the new context of the young protagonists moral development.

Pinku's mental and moral growth to ``create a new world of his own shorn of narrow walls and differences'' is the symbol in Book V. Communal harmony is the underlying theme of the youngster's zestful work. The concept relies on Gandhi's principle of `constructive work'.

The protagonist goes around helping liquor addicts give up the habit, promoting peace and khadi.

In the final volume, the youthful Pinku turns a `Peace Warrior' carrying with him the grand principles that Gandhi stood for.

He works in AIDS eradication, helping tribals displaced by dams.

``This volume is not for or against any concept, but goes on in the form of an open dialogue. The emphasis is the use of creative energy and one realises that the inner creative energy is more powerful than a nuclear arsenal. Its fruits is not merely freedom but a responsible freedom as Gandhi promoted - Self Rule. Duty coupled with rights.''

Pinku's realisation makes him plunge into selfless nation- building activities. The final volume ends with the question ``What is the power that moves the Universe?'' The idea is to let young readers form their own answer, in their own creative element.

Using a story idiom that children will relate to and an anecdotal narrative with art support, the books addresses those in the Standard IV to XII level.

Each volume has a set of questions and as per the story there is no right answer that the teacher can provide readily. ``The idea is the Gandhian principle that Education is within everyone. The only way is to explore...'', the author notes.

The Gandhi Peace Foundation, Dr.Kulandhaisamy adds, wants to carry its activities forward with the support of students who can buy the books (each volume Rs.10) and develop the reading habit.

By K. Ramachandran

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