Gandhian Experiments in Community Living with Special Reference to Gandhiji's Ashram

Abstract

This article highlights the Gandhian Experiments in Community Living with special reference to Gandhiji's Ashrams. Indian families have a long history of living together in a family system that has been strong, stable, flexible, and enduring for centuries. At present, this family system is slowly disappearing for various reasons. As a result, quarrels, intolerance, inequality inaction, lack of parental attention, disintegration in the family, and many other problems arise. To bring the community living with special reference to Gandhi's experiments. a Universal model was established by Mahatma Gandhi, The father of our Nation, through his ashrams both in South Africa and in India, such as Phoenix Settlement (1904), Tolstoy Farm (1910), Kochrab Ashram (1915), Sabarmati Ashsram and Sevagram Ashram (1936). Ashram inmates were following Eleven Vows, and the essential features in the Indian context are unity in diversity, cordial relationships, a democratic way of decision-making, simple living and high thinking, etc., which can bring peace and harmony.