In the 75th year of the commemoration of the Indian freedom struggle, the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Civilisational and Peace Studies (MGCCPS) has been established. The centre aims to spread the ideals of peace, justice and universal brotherhood as envisaged by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Such objectives can be achieved by running peace-building programs through peace education, courses, seminars, conferences, and symposia. In a world riddled with conflict, the goal of peace, peacebuilding and peacemaking is a challenge.
Director: Dr. Om Prakash Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities of the University.
Events Organised:
1. Received an International Grant worth US $ 20000 from Eurasian Foundation, Tokyo to run a course titled Building Peace Communities: An Asian Perspective during January-May 2022 session.
2. The Course on Building Peace Communities: An Asian Perspective was conducted during January-May 2022 session at National Law University Jodhpur. Several International scholars from United States, Japan, S Korea, Cambodia, Thailand and India delivered their scholarly lectures and perspecves on peace building.
3. Visit of American Delegation: On January 13, 2026, an American delegation led by the American Institute of India Studies, New Delhi, visited NLU Jodhpur. The delegation comprising eight Professors of eminent American universities had a very meaningful interaction with the faculty members of NLUJ for future collaborations and an MOU with the University. Most of the scholars were from a humanities and Social Sciences background. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor hosted a lunch for the delegation. Dr Om Prakash, Associate Professor and Director of Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Civilizational and Peace Studies and Dr Neeti Mathur organised the event. The following scholars were part of the delegation:
1. Paul Edleman, Professor, Political Science/Communication, Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, IL
2. La Quita Jones, Associate Professor, Social Sciences, East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, CA
3. Nicole Karapanagiotis, Associate Professor, Philosophy and Religion, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ
4. Eunice Kim, Adjunct Instructor, Social Work, California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
5. Holly Piscopo, Professor, History, Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA
6. Amarjeet Sawhney (Amar), Professor, Architecture, Miami-Dade College, Miami FL
7. Jessica Barnes, Associate Professor, Geography, Planning and Recreation, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ
8. Alex Orfinger, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA
4. Social Outreach and Philantrophic Initiative: As part of the social outreach and philanthropic initiative taken by the university on the occasion of the silver jubilee year of the university and organised by the center, Registrar Dr. Sunita Pankaj, some faculty members and office staff of NLUJ visited Old Age Home ‘Anubandh’ situated at NH 62, Jodhpur on September 27, 2025. Smt. Anuradha Advani, the owner of the home, welcomed the group and led the group to show life at the old age home, such as giving proper care to the senior citizens. Such efforts were greatly appreciated by the group, and NLU Jodhpur contributed to the wellbeing of the members of the old age home.
5. The second event of the social outreach program taken by the centre on the occasion of the silver jubilee year of the university occurred on October 16, 2025. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Professor Harpreet Kaur, Registrar Dr. Sunita Pankaj and Deans Dr. Om Prakash, Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh and Dr. Manisha Mirdha visited the Luv Kush orphanage situated at Chopasni Housing Board, Jodhpur. The magnanimous initiative to rehabilitate and bring up the abandoned babies, their upbringing, cleanliness, schooling and educational efforts for the kids touched everyone’s heart. Opening the mother milk bank was an outstanding effort by the owner, Mr Rajendra Parihar, who carried this legacy from his father Sri Bhagwan Singh Parihar. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor contributed a token amount and promised that in future they would like to further associate with the initiatives.
6. The third event of the social outreach program organised by the center on the eve of international disability day (December 3), aligning with the silver jubilee year of the university, was held on December 1, 2025. Registrar Dr Sunita Pankaj, Deans Dr. Om Prakash and Dr. Rashmi Mathur, Deputy Registrar, faculty members and research associates related to the Centre for Disability team visited the Mental Retarded and Disabled Home located in Mandore, Anganwa. It’s partially funded by the government, and there are 180 male and female residents. The caretakers, Smt. Anjana Ji and others showed us various glimpses of the life of these special people, including their study schedule, handicrafts which they made, etc. and challenges which they face. The entire team highly appreciated the tremendous efforts, contributed and fed lunch to the residents.
7. The fourth event and first in the year 2026 of the social outreach program organised by the center was held on January 31, 2026. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and some faculty members and staff visited the Jodhana Old Age Home, Jodhpur, which houses 46 senior citizens. The old-age home is owned and managed by the social worker, Mr Ratan Singh Gehlot. The team met and interacted with the inmates, and Lunch was served to them. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor suggested bringing NLU students part of the next visit to see the ground reality and the necessary care which is required to be provided to the elderly, disabled and orphans.
8.
