A Journey through Gandhi’s Land

A cultural, social and political experience of Gujarat, India

The Centre for Conflict Studies partners with IF (www.integrities.org) and Prashant (www.humanrightsindia.in)

to announce a tour to Gujarat, a northwestern state of India,

from January 7 to 21, 2013.

Gujarat is the land of Mahatma Gandhi. It is from the banks of River Sabarmati in Ahmedabad city, that Gandhi led India’s freedom struggle. Besides it significant historical background, Gujarat is rich in its cultural heritage, diversity and landscape. It’s modern history however, is rife with violent tensions between Hindus and Muslims. In recent times, the rise of Hindu religious nationalism has polarized and ghettoized the minority communities from the state’s Hindu majority community.

This tour will give the participants an experience of the cultural, social and political history and environment in Gujarat. The tour will start in Ahmedabad city and will move to the rural areas of the state. It will include visits of various cultural and religious heritage sites. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the on-going conflict between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat with various religious and community leaders. Tentatively, here are some places that we will visit: Ranki Vav (Patan), Sun Temple, Modhera Juhapura (area with the biggest Muslim concentration in Gujarat) Tribal areas of south Gujarat Gulberg Society (area where Muslims were massacred in 2002 violence) Lothal (One of the famous cities of the Indus Valley Civilization) Sabarmati Ashram (Gandhi’s residence in Ahmedabad) Porbandar (birth place of Mahatma Gandhi) Gujarat Vidyapith (University founded by Mahatma Gandhi) Sarkhej Roja (famous mosque) In all these areas we will organize interactions with Hindus, Muslims, Jain and other religious communities.

To participate in this course, one must be physically fit to travel in private buses and be ready for walking some short distances (occasionally). Maximum number of participants is 15. Participants will be responsible for purchasing their flight tickets and will bear the visa costs. The participant cost for this course is 2050 dollars (Discount available for MIIS students). This includes lodging food, entry fees, and local travel. As space is limited, we require an advance of 1000 dollars by October 1 to reserve your place on the tour. This advance is non-refundable.

Dr. Pushpa Iyer, a native of Gujarat, will conduct the course. Pushpa Iyer has over 20 years of experience in the field of conflict studies. Pushpa is a long-term activist and advocate for the poor and marginalised communities in Gujarat, India. Currently, Pushpa is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Policy and Management at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Pushpa is the founding Director of the Centre for Conflict Studies and is the Editor-in-Chief for the Centre’s publications.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions about this trip.