Gandhi grandson visits for nonviolence program

Sunday, January 1, 1905

Dr. Arun Gandhi, who carries on the nonviolence work of Mahatma Gandhi, his grandfather, will be here next week as part of "Gandhi Visits Chattanooga -- A City Moving Toward a Season for Nonviolence."

During his visit, he will be involved in a number of public and private events organized by the city's Department of Education, Arts and Culture for its 2012 Connecting the Dots Summit with Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga and United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

The theme of the week, according to EAC administrator Missy Crutchfield, relates to the city making a commitment toward a vision of nonviolence. The "season" refers to the time between the anniversaries of the assassinations of Mahatma Gandhi (Jan. 30) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4).

"Only a handful of cities have made this commitment" to a Gandhi-King Season of Nonviolence coalition, she said. "For us to declare it holds us to a higher accountability."

After Gandhi's visit, she said, the city will share with the public what happened at the Connecting the Dots Summit, list the further steps it will take and continue with events promoting the nonviolence theme.

Depending on what works here, Crutchfield said, the city could share with other cities who are interested in the commitment.

"This is an opportunity for a long-term commitment," she said. "We'll do it the Chattanooga way, and we're not going to stop in April," the end of the designated nonviolence season. "We're going to keep it going."

GANDHI VISIT PUBLIC EVENTS

Monday: Westside visit at Renaissance Community Garden, with music by flutist Mike Serna, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: ReCreate Café, Salvation Army, 800 McCallie Ave., 10:30 a.m.; lunch, tour of Chattanooga Community Kitchen, 727 E. 11th St., 11:30 a.m.; presentation for Chattanooga City Council, City Hall, 1000 Lindsay St., 6 p.m.

Wednesday: "A Season for Nonviolence" mural unveiling, Brainerd Recreation Center, 1010 N. Moore Road, 5 p.m.; celebration, festivities sponsored by Chattanooga India Association, Chattanooga Hindu temple, 7706 Colemere Drive (off Bonny Oaks Drive), 6 p.m.

Thursday: Gandhi keynote speaker for Connecting the Dots Summit, with music by T-Ran Gilbert and Sera Hill, Bessie Smith Hall, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd., 8 a.m.-noon (reservations required; 425-7826); walking tour of Brainerd Mission, 5600 Brainerd Road, with music by Mike Serna, 3:15 p.m.; sitar music by Joe Ridolfo, Eastgate Senior Activity Center, 5600 Brainerd Road (Eastgate Town Center), 4:15 p.m.; Eastgate Library blessing, Gandhi message of "A Season of Nonviolence," Eastgate Town Center stage, 5600 Brainerd Road, with music by T-Ran Gilbert and Sera Hill, 5 p.m.