2026 International Non-Violence Day
🌟 Featured Guests & Keynote Speakers
Hon. Alan Page
Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice & NFL Hall of Famer
Renowned jurist, education advocate, and community leader. Justice Page will be honored with the 2026 Gandhi Vision Award and will participate in a featured moderated conversation on the main auditorium stage.
Kailash Satyarthi
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Children’s Rights Activist
Global champion for children’s rights and abolition of child labor who shared the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Satyarthi will deliver the evening’s keynote address and receive the 2026 Gandhi Vision Award.
⏱️ Official Program Schedule & Timeline
📥 Download PDF Flyer- 7:00 – 7:05 PM: Welcome and Opening Remarks by Mangala Acharya, President, India Association of Minnesota (IAM)
- 7:05 – 7:10 PM: Welcome Remarks by Kent Whitworth, Executive Director & CEO, Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)
- 7:10 – 7:15 PM: Program Introduction by Emcee Geyasree
- 7:15 – 7:20 PM: Proclamation Presentation and Reading by Nekey Oliver
- 7:20 – 7:35 PM: Introduction of Justice Alan Page and Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi
- 7:35 – 7:40 PM: Invitation of Dr. Dash and Mangala Acharya to the stage
- 7:40 – 7:45 PM: Display of Gandhi Vision Award and Past Award Recipient slides
- 7:45 – 7:50 PM: Presentation of the Gandhi Vision Award to:
• Justice Alan Page
• Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi
- 8:45 – 9:00 PM: Video Presentation
- 9:00 PM: Invitation of Ram Gada, Sayali A., and Shri Kailash Satyarthi to the stage
- 9:05 – 9:25 PM: Power of Community Recognition Honoring Nine Organizations:
• COPAL (Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina)
• Unidos MN
• CAPI (Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants)
• Iglesia Dios Habla Hoy (DHH Church)
• SAHARA (South Asian Allies)• SAATH – South Asian Arts & Theater House
• SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness)
• Pangea World Theater
• Twin Cities Nonviolent (TCNV) - 9:25 – 9:30 PM: Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks by Mangala Acharya, President, India Association of Minnesota (IAM)
🕊️ The Legacy of Ahimsa and Gandhi Celebrations in Minnesota
The rich tradition of celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of nonviolence (Ahimsa) in Minnesota spans over four decades, sustained through community leadership, interfaith collaboration, and state recognition.
Early Origins: India Day & Local Foundations
The tradition began with the India Association of Minnesota (IAM)—formerly the India Club. Originally, “India Day” took place during the first week of October to honor Gandhi’s timeless message of nonviolence.
- 1985: Inaugural India Day celebrated at Landmark Center in Saint Paul. Governor Rudy Perpich proclaimed October 2 as “Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday / India Day in the State of Minnesota.”
- Evolution: Annual celebrations continued at Landmark Center through 2009 before expanding to the State Capitol Mall as “IndiaFest.”
Grassroots Advocacy & Ahimsa Day (1987–2007)
Parallel to IAM’s initiatives, local faith and cultural groups actively championed nonviolence education across the Twin Cities.
- 1987–2006: Ram Gada delivered annual talks on Mahatma Gandhi every October at the Hindu Temple on Polk Street.
- 1992–1993: The Jain Center of Minnesota sponsored the first official “Ahimsa Day” lectures with scholars from Macalester and Carleton College.
- 2007: Local traditions echoed globally when the UN General Assembly officially declared Oct 2 as International Day of Non-Violence.
A New Era of Collaboration (2016–Present)
Beginning in 2016, IAM—in partnership with the Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN), the Minnesota Historical Society, the Dr. Dash Foundation, and Twin Cities Nonviolent (TCNV)—re-established large-scale annual Gandhi events around October 2, supported by official gubernatorial proclamations each year.
- 2016–2018: Capitol Grounds peace walks and Capitol Rotunda gatherings.
- 2019 (150th Anniversary): Mobile exhibits across MN, high school essay contests, “Planet for Peace” walk, and grand gathering at the Minnesota History Center with Dr. Anantanand Rambachan and Preeti Mathur’s book release.
Gandhi Vision Awards (2022–2025)
Sponsored by the Dr. Dash Foundation, recognizing leaders and organizations exemplifying nonviolent action:
- 2022: Mel Duncan, Sheila Lamb, Fr. Harry Bury.
- 2023: Michael Chaney, environmentalist & poet.
- 2024: Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston.
- 2025: Prem Rawat & Sehgal Foundation.
Every celebration hosted at the Minnesota History Center reflects a rich tapestry of Indian cultural heritage, complete with music, dance, informative exhibits, and authentic cuisine, keeping the enduring spirit of nonviolence alive for generations to come.
Google Calendar
