Mahatma Gandhi's leadership and its relevance in the contemporary world

Transformational Leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and its relevance in the Contemporary World

Shobhana Radhakrishna, Chief Functionary, Gandhian Forum for Ethical Corporate Governance, India

"The world will live in peace, only when the individuals composing it make up their minds to do so" - Mahatma Gandhi                  

Mahatma Gandhi is the most well-known Indian in the world. His life was one of dedication and simplicity, and he valued non-violence, peace, truth, and purity of means as the guiding principles of his life. He followed the inner voice that guided him throughout his life, and he could justifiably say to the world that ‘My Life is My Message’. Mahatma Gandhi displayed the ability to lift the question of morals from that of the personal, and transform it into a problem that reflects and impacts the ethics of all of humanity. 

Gandhi made significant and seminal contributions that spanned across such disciplines as economics, spirituality, ecology, conflict resolution, politics, sustainability, service to humanity and more. His name has become synonymous with non-violence, social justice, minimalism, peace, and civil disobedience. Gandhi’s contribution, his achievements, and his life were extraordinary by any measure.

The talk attempts to provide some principles, ideas, and alternatives that can help us in our quest for greater substance and also help address the pressing social and ecological challenges of our times. These lessons gleaned from Mahatma Gandhi’s life offer invaluable advice on leading a more enlightened, meaningful, self-aware and socially responsible life.

About the speaker

Shobhana Radhakrishna is on a mission to reintroduce Mahatma Gandhi to the people of India and abroad. Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and principles can guide the people as it has the strength to inspire and bring about change. Imbibing Gandhiji’s values as she grew up in his settlement in Sevagram India, Shobhana’s focal point is following the Gandhian way of life and serving humanity.

She has founded the ‘Gandhian Forum for Ethical Corporate Governance’ SCOPE, India for promoting ethical business practices and organizational integrity in Public Sector Enterprises of Government of India.

She has travelled internationally to give lectures on the occasion of the UN International Day of Nonviolence since 2007 to Japan, South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Netherlands, Austria and Germany to deliver lectures and seminars. She was invited for a talk at the UN-ESCAP in Bangkok in 2014, in the Peace Palace, the Hague in 2017 and in King Faisal Centre of Islamic Studies and Research in Riyadh in 2018.

She was empaneled as an ‘Eminent Citizen’ by the Government of India. She is the Chief Executive of the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association-India, a program of the Cabinet office of Government of Japan and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. She is the Chairperson of the non-profit organizations namely Uttranchal Development Institute, DISHA and the Center for Gandhian Vision and Values.

This event is brought to you in partnership with the Consulate General of India, Melbourne