Casablanca – The Embassy of India in Morocco marked Gandhi Jayanti at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane yesterday with a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and an interactive discussion on the continued relevance of his ideas.
Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of India, Amit Get, paid a floral tribute at the bust of Gandhi on the university campus before joining students and faculty for a conversation about what Gandhi’s ideas can say about the world today.
The discussion looked beyond Gandhi as a historical figure and examined principles associated with his life and philosophy, including truth, non-violence, self-restraint, and respect for human dignity.
Students and faculty discussed several issues that affect younger generations, including the growing role of technology and social media. The exchange also addressed the spread of anger and misinformation online, sustainability, responsible consumption, and the importance of dialogue when people disagree.
Leadership and the role of values in decision-making also featured in the conversation.
Amit Get reflected on the relevance of Gandhian thought to diplomacy, where dialogue can involve engaging with people who hold very different positions while maintaining the possibility of future cooperation.
Mhammed Chraibi, Dean of Student Affairs, and Kenza Oumlil, Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, joined the interaction alongside students and other members of the university faculty.
The discussion also connected Gandhian values with Al Akhawayn University’s emphasis on preparing future citizen-leaders of Morocco and the world. Students were encouraged to consider not only the careers they want to pursue, but also the values they will carry into their future roles as leaders, innovators and decision-makers.
The event formed part of the people-to-people and academic dimension of relations between India and Morocco. It also allowed students to engage directly with Gandhi’s philosophy and discuss how its principles could be considered in relation to present-day challenges.
The Embassy welcomed the place given to values and Gandhian thought within the academic journey of students at Al Akhawayn University, particularly as young people prepare to take on future responsibilities in different fields.
Gandhi Jayanti is observed each year on October 2 to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The event at Al Akhawayn University came ahead of the anniversary and brought the commemoration into an academic setting, with the discussion centered on students, faculty, and contemporary issues.
The exchange in Ifrane added an academic and youth-focused dimension to the Embassy’s observance, allowing participants to discuss Gandhi’s ideas through questions related to technology, sustainability, leadership, diplomacy, and social interaction.
