Message of Rashmi Gupta, President
(elected at the AGM 2017 on Dec 3, 2017)

Dear Members and Friends of Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa

Greetings!

I am humbled, honoured and privileged to assume the role of President of the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa for the upcoming year (2017-18).

I am inspired by the dedication and ongoing contribution of Dr. Jag Humar, Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton University, and Prof. Noel Salmond, Professor of Religious Studies in the College of The Humanities at Carleton University, in developing the vision for the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa. This has resulted in lots of achievements over the past years, such as a bronze life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Carleton University campus. Gandhiji’s statue is a constant reminder of the life and relevance of Gandhi in today’s world.

The MGPC has sponsored, organized, and participated in various talks, events, and conferences related to peace and non-violence over the past years. The list includes: Lecture by Douglas Cardinal, Architect, April 21, 2016 on “A Centre for Peace: A Vision for the Sacred Islands in the Ottawa River;” and MGPC’s participation in a Peace March to protect the sacred Chaudière site, led by the Grandmothers of Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) First Nation (June 2016). It was to support the cause to protect reservation of the area as a national park (as called for in the longstanding National Capital plan) rather than having it turned into condominiums. The details (and recording) of these events can be found on the MGPC website.

Dr. Mayurika Chakravorty, the outgoing president of the Peace Council, has done admirable work for the Peace Council during the past 2 years. I intend to build on her achievements.  I look forward to continuing this important work towards fulfilling the mission of MGPC.

In the upcoming year, along with the entire Board, I would like to focus on: 1) increasing visibility/relevance of the organization by collaboration with other similar organizations and events, 2) more active participation in community outreach events to further the educational mandate of the organization, and 3) reach out to youth to spread Gandhian ideas and thoughts.

In this regard, on behalf of the Board, I sincerely request each and every member and friend of the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa for help. If you have any suggestions for future events and direction of the organization, please get in touch with us through the contact us page on the website.  

Members of MGPC are also welcome to attend our board meetings (usually held once a month) and share their ideas and vision. We will post the dates of Board Meetings on the website.

Mahatma Gandhi provided the world with his timeless philosophy of nonviolence, which itself is normative. It applies to any situation. Gandhi’s concept of nonviolence aims first of all, to re-instate the dignity of the human being. Peaceful resistance and nonviolent cooperation against oppression and injustice are extremely relevant in today’s world. It is very important that together, we find positive ways to educate our children and youth in these tools and strategies as they face the world. 

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Rashmi Gupta
President

Short Bio of Rashmi Gupta

Rashmi was born in Varanasi, India. She completed her M.Sc. in Physics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and continued on Ph.D. work in Elementary Particle Physics there. She had a brilliant career in information technology and business management: Director, Sales and Marketing at ProSoya Inc., Chief Architect/Sr. Director for Applications and Technology at Human Resource Corporation Canada; and Senior Manager at Accenture, Canada.

Rashmi received Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 award (ICCC award given by Prime Minister Stephen Harper). Since 2016, after taking retirement from ProSoya, she has been pursuing a career in visual arts (painting).  She is also a poet and singer.  Her book of poems ‘Aviral Rashmi’ was published in the year 2002.  She is the producer of Canadian feature film, ‘Passage to Ottawa,’ which was released in 2001 and won five international awards, and another film ‘Prisoner X’ that was released in 2016.

Rashmi served Mukul Hindi School as cultural coordinator and as chairperson. She was a volunteer to Child Haven International. She is a life member of Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa and has been on the MGPC board since 2016.