Mr. Patel, a history teacher at Riverside High, was deeply inspired by Gandhi’s principles. His goal was to cultivate a culture of personal growth and social harmony among his students, leading him to introduce the learning guide and propose a school-wide project focused on exploring and applying Gandhi’s 11 Vows.

Mr. Patel proposed a school-wide project where students would learn about Gandhi’s 11 Vows and actively work to apply them in their daily lives. This involved students choosing specific vows to focus on and reflecting on their experiences.

Students like Emily focused on Truth and Self-discipline, leading to improved honesty and study habits. Jake embraced Nonviolence and Fearlessness, transforming his approach to conflict resolution and inspiring him to speak out against bullying. Priya’s focus on Non-possession led her to organize a school-wide donation drive, while Carlos exemplified Non-stealing and Body-labor by respecting others’ property and volunteering for school maintenance.

The project fostered a more harmonious school environment. Students learned to resolve conflicts peacefully, support each other’s growth, and engage in acts of kindness and community service. This created a culture of mutual respect, compassion, and active engagement.

The students explored Gandhi’s 11 Vows, which include Truth (Satya), Nonviolence (Ahimsa), Non-stealing (Asteya), Self-discipline (Brahmacharya), Non-possession (Aparigraha), Control of Palate (Asvada), Fearlessness (Abhaya), All Religions Equal (Sarva Dharma Samanatva), Freedom from Untouchability (Asprishyatanivaran), Body-labor (Sharirshrama), and Self-reliance (Swadeshi).

By the end of the school year, the students compiled their reflections and essays about their experiences with the vows into a book titled “Gandhi’s Vows: Youth Perspective.”

The principles and lessons learned from applying Gandhi’s Vows continued to influence the students’ lives after graduation, guiding them in their future endeavors. The project also served as a model for other schools, demonstrating the potential of Gandhi’s principles to inspire positive change in young people and their communities.

The project showed that even by focusing on and implementing just one or two of Gandhi’s vows, students experienced profound personal growth. These individual efforts, when collectively embraced, led to a significant and lasting positive impact on the entire school community and beyond.