Speaker talks about the values of peace
By Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

A seminar on peace and non-violence will help to tie in the Sept. 11 memorial service with Missouri Southern's own India Semester.

Srimati Kamala, director of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, D.C., will be speaking at Southern after the flag dedication and memorial ceremony. She will be presenting the values and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as give some background on the world-renowned peace advocate. Kamala said she plans on tying in the seminar with the Memorial Ceremony.

"I expect students will be asking questions about how Gandhi would have treated the tragedy," Kamala said.

While the topic of the seminar is Mahatma Gandhi and his value system, Kamala does not plan on placing him on a pedestal. She said the purpose of the speech is to hopefully "invoke some thinking" about the subject of peace and violence.

"What does it get us?" Kamala asked. "What is it for?"

Dr. Carolyn M. Hale, associate professor of communications, played a major role in getting Kamala to come and speak at Southern. Hale thought it was an opportune time for a speaker of Kamala's status.

"I thought it would fit in very well with our India Semester," Hale said. "Her life is dedicated to communicating Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of peace and non-violence."

Hale said anyone who is interested in peace and non-violence would be interested in Gandhi. Kamala also said Gandhi's principles are important to people.

"Gandhi offers all of us a challenge to our basic humanity," Kamala said. "His values are very essential to us."

Kamala, who has been speaking to people since 1974, said she plans on leaving time at the end of the seminar for questions and students. She "welcomes" challenging questions. Kamala said she is looking forward to speaking at Southern, because college students are her favorite audience.

"I hope all people from different disciplines, persuasions and departments of the school will attend this," Kamala said.

The Ghandian Initiative Seminar is at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Webster Hall Auditorium. The event is free to the public.