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While Vinoba,
still blowing the bugle of Non-violent revolution. another great man in the field, had, towards the fag end of his life become an introvert ascetic, Gurudev Tulsi, even in his eighties, was still on the move to make man a better human being. From every iota of his existence, it looked as if the creed of non-violence was being radiated. Even in most difficult situations, the idea of violence never cropped up in his mind, it was as if, beyond the orbit of his thinking.
With the advent of Independence, he started his famous Anuvrat Movement and the grateful nation in acknowledgement, honoured him with Indira Gandhi Prize in 1993.
TULSI-PRAJNĀ
Dedicating his prize to the nation he said, "I want from my whole Sangh and nation that unity and goodness should prevail and all disputed items be settled through Non violent means". His optimism was evident when he said, "People ask me if my efforts will transform the whole world into Non-violent? and I reply to them that till the present day, no period has ever occurred in human history when the whole mankind turned Non-violent. Still the efforts for it have been going on continuously to spread the cult and thinking. Today we also are doing the same, but we can never dream in terms of encompassing the whole world, such idea is an utopian one, though entertaining the dream is very pleasing. On the practical side, we will deem it a success even if only a small percentage of people get initiated into the non-violent way of living."
In organising a non-violent society, how original and inspiring his proposition are is evident from his saying. "If non-violent way of life and dharma is not getting initiated with the needed strength it is because of the fact, as is commonly observed, two thieves or dacoits can join in a joint venture, but not two saints or seers. This is my firm belief that the amount of time, energy and resources that have been expended on the propogation of violence, if spent on the propogation of non-violence, would have brought about amazing results, and the day this realization dawns on humanity, it will be a day of resurrection of the human kind.
For the teaching of and training for Non-violence, three International conferences have been organised; Ist in Dec., 1988, 2nd in Feb., 1991 and third in Dec., 1995. The objects of these seminars were to discuss and find out means for meeting the problem of violence plagueing humanity. In providing a small but solid base for the purpose, these seminars were quite successful. These efforts created momentum for directing the human society towards constructive non-violent activities.
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