Gandhi’s grandson to speak at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 9

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Gandhi’s grandson to speak at Rice’s Baker Institute Oct. 9

HOUSTON – (Oct. 1, 2014) – Rajmohan Gandhi, a research professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the grandson and biographer of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, will discuss “How Gandhi Discovered Nonviolence” at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Oct. 9. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Credit: thinkstockphotos.com/Rice University

Leading up to the event, the Baker Institute will launch a social media campaign on the institute’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. The campaign is centered around an interactive art piece in the Baker Institute building’s entry that will encourage passersby to reflect and share their thoughts on peace by asking them to answer the question “What does peace look like?” People will also be encouraged to answer the question virtually by posting their thoughts or pictures to their social media accounts using the hashtag #MyPeace.

The event is part of “Gandhi’s Legacy: Houston Perspectives,” an initiative of the Menil Collection.

Who: Rajmohan Gandhi, research professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Allen Matusow, director of academic affairs at the Baker Institute and the William Gaines Twyman Professor of History at Rice, will provide welcoming remarks.

Josef Helfenstein, director of the Menil Collection, will provide introductory remarks.

What: A presentation titled “How Gandhi Discovered Nonviolence.”

When: Thursday, Oct. 9, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was not “born” to nonviolence, according to event organizers. He discovered it in his travels and through physical, intellectual and spiritual experiences. In his presentation, Rajmohan Gandhi will tell the story of his grandfather’s journey that culminated in his belief in nonviolence as a core value of life — and in his commitment to it as a political strategy.

A book signing will follow the event. Copies of “Gandhi: The Man, His People and the Empire” will be provided for sale by Brazos Bookstore.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

The public must register to attend this event at http://bakerinstitute.org/events/register/1655/?submit=RSVP.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps.

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 15 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.