Pictorial Narrative of Gandhi’s presidential debut at Belgaum Congress Session 1924
Release of Pictorial Narrative of Gandhi’s presidential debut at Belgaum Congress Session 1924
Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, has released a publication titled “The 1924 Belgaum Congress Session: A Pictorial Narrative of Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut” to commemorate the centenary of the Belgaum Congress Session. This publication is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and highlights his presidential debut at the 39th edition of the Indian National Congress, held in Belgaum (now Belagavi), Karnataka, on December 26-27, 1924.The book is a pictorial narrative that delves into the circumstances surrounding Gandhi’s acceptance of the presidency, the organizational details of the session, and the key resolutions passed. It provides valuable insights into Gandhi’s leadership, vision, and philosophy, which shaped India’s independence movement .
Some notable features of the publication include: Free online access The book is available for free download on ( https://archive.org/details/the-1924-belgaum-congress-session-a-pictorial-narrative-of-mahatma-gandhis-presidential-debut) and can be accessed through Google Play Books (https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=yNI5EQAAQBAJ).It was also made available in the Collections of Gandhi Bhavan, JaiGyan: Bharat Ek Khoj , Servants of Knowledge and Hind Swaraj collections.
The book release programme coincided with the inauguration of Winter Camp/Short Term Course on Gandhian Thought. On 26 December 2024 Dr.Siby K. Joseph ,Director of the Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha and the first author of the book succinctly explained the significance of the book. He said that it is an irony of history that the centenary year of RSS and Mahatma Gandhi’s Presidential Debut happens in the same year.
The book was published by Somesvara Publications, Dharwad. The publisher informed that though it was published online and made it free both PDF and Ebook , the copies of the first print were exhausted which necessitated the reprint of the same. Soon after the publication the book got the google book listing.
https://books.google.co.in/books/about/The_1924_Belgaum_Congress_Session.html?id=yNI5EQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
The preparation of Kannada and Hindi versions of the book are also in progress. The translation works were almost completed. Shri Ram Dhiraj, veteran Sarvodaya activist and President of Uttar Pradesh Sarvodaya Mandal released the book in the presence of Shri Vijay Tambe Secretary of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan by giving a copy of the book to Dr. D. John Chellaurai, Professor and Head, Department of Gandhian Studies and Dean Interdisciplinary Studies , Mahatma Gandhi Mission University, Aurangabad. The research scholars and teaching faculty representing the camp also joined hands with dignitaries. Shri Vivek Kumar Shaw, translator of the Hindi version of the book was also present on the occasion. The effort of the Centre was widely appreciated by the academic community and scholars. Smt. Ela Gandhi of Phoenix Settlement Trust, Durban and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi described this book as an outstanding work. Prof. John S Moolakkattu, Chief Editor, Gandhi Marg, Journal of Gandhi Peace Foundation,New Delhi described this illustrated account of the Belagavi session, written and compiled by Siby K. Joseph and Basavaraj N. Akki, as a very useful and timely publication in the event’s centenary year. Prof D. Jeevan Kumar Former Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies, Bangalore University, and
Managing Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust said “ In this pictorial exposition, the book delves into the circumstances that led to Gandhi’s acceptance of Presidentship of the session, the organizational details of a session that required meticulous planning and execution, the key resolutions that were passed – and much more. The narrative provides a good glimpse of Gandhi’s leadership and his vision of non-violent resistance and constructive work. It also affords a deeper understanding of how Gandhi’s philosophy and strategy shaped the trajectory of India’s independence movement, setting the stage for revolutionary change in the future.”
This publication is a significant contribution to Gandhian studies and a testament to the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
