Message of the President, Anil Agrawal
(elected at the AGM 2023 on Dec 14, 2023)

Dear Esteemed Members of the Community,

As I humbly step into the role of President of the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa, I wish first to pay homage to our outgoing President, Rashmi Gupta, and the retiring members of our Board, Dr. Anne Vallely, Seleena Desjardins, Dinesh Mohan, and Swapna Manjusha Shail. Their selfless service, unwavering dedication, and valuable contributions have been the bedrock of our Council’s achievements. Under Rashmi’s Leadership and the stewardship of various members of the Board, the Council has flourished, becoming a cornerstone of peace and educational outreach in the Ottawa community.

Today, as we stand on the shoulders of these giants, we carry forward a legacy that spans many years of dedicated service. The Council has been a beacon of enlightenment through its myriad educational activities, profoundly enriching our community and fostering a culture of peace, understanding, and Gandhian principles.

As your new President, I am committed to working closely with our new Board to build upon this illustrious legacy. I invite you, our board members, and the broader community to join hands in promoting Gandhian values, which are more relevant today than ever. Let us unite and be dedicated to further the cause of peace and harmony in our diverse community.

As we embark on this new chapter, I welcome our new Board of Directors. Your willingness to contribute to the Peace Council’s noble cause is inspiring and vital. Together, we will function as a close-knit team, channeling our collective energies to further the cause of the Peace Council. I encourage each of you to actively enhance the visibility and presence of the Peace Council within all Ottawa communities. Through our educational initiatives, let us spread widespread awareness of Gandhi’s messages of peace, non-violence, harmony, mutual love, and compassion. Our united efforts will undoubtedly create a more peaceful, understanding, and loving society, true to the vision of Mahatma Gandhi.

To the beautiful mosaic of communities in Ottawa, we at the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa extend our heartfelt commitment to sharing Gandhiji’s timeless messages. Our mission transcends beyond mere words; we are dedicated to actively engaging every neighborhood, every group, and every individual with our educational and outreach initiatives. These initiatives are designed to echo the principles of peace, non-violence, and mutual respect that Mahatma (the Great Soul) Gandhi stood for. We warmly invite everyone to join us in this meaningful journey. Whether it is through participating in our events, contributing your ideas, or supporting us through donations, every effort counts. Together, we can build a stronger, more harmonious community, reflecting the ideals of understanding and compassion that Mahatma Gandhi championed. Your support, in any form, is the cornerstone of our success and the driving force that enables us to make a lasting impact in our diverse city.

In the tapestry of Ottawa’s multicultural society, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy shines as a beacon of hope and harmony. Gandhiji’s life and contributions to the world were political, deeply moral, and spiritual, offering timeless principles that resonate profoundly in our modern world rife with strife and disharmony. His profound teachings, like ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world‘ and ‘Non-violence is the weapon of the strong,’ hold particular relevance today, guiding us towards peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

Gandhi’s philosophy has inspired world leaders. Martin Luther King Jr., who once said, ‘Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable,’ adopting non-violence in his fight for civil rights. As influenced by Gandhi, Nelson Mandela led South Africa out of apartheid with a similar spirit of reconciliation and peace.

Gandhi’s message of simple living, empathy, and truth transcends cultural boundaries, making it especially vital for Ottawa’s diverse communities. His example of peaceful resistance and unwavering commitment to justice and equality inspires us to foster a community where every voice is heard and valued.

As we invite you to support and participate in the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council’s initiatives, we remember Gandhi’s words, ‘In a gentle way, you can shake the world.’ Let us embrace these principles, contributing to a world of greater peace, understanding, and love.”

Members of the Peace Council, if you wish to attend any of our Board Meetings, you are welcome to join us and give your input to our discussions. You can also contribute your ideas.

With heartfelt gratitude and anticipation,

Anil Agrawal

President, Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa

Brief bio-data of Anil Agrawal

Anil Agrawal has an educational background in Electronics, followed by nearly 30 years of career in the field of computers and information technology. For the past 25 years, he has been engaged in business advisory and coaching services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Since 2004, he has been actively involved in community organizations. He actively served the India-Canada Friendship Circle (ICFC) from 2005-2012, joined the Mahatma Gandhi Society in 2006, incorporated the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa in 2009, obtained Charity status in 2010, served the Peace Council until 2013 and then served the Indo-Canadian Community Centre (ICCC) since 2011. For the past ten years, he has been peripherally active in providing technology and some administrative services to the Peace Council. He brings a lengthy community service background and enormous enthusiasm to raise the Peace Council’s profile in the community.