Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, the association which is partnering up with other Gandhian institutions, has been organising the Gandhi Peace Examination for last 10 years in various jails of Maharashtra as a part of a reformation programme for prisoners.

“The preacher of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, devoted his life for spreading non-violence and he proved that it is an effective weapon. He spent six and a half years of his life in jail. He utilised this time to develop his qualities. Years after his departure, his thoughts are seen prevailing in the society and also in the prisons where the inmates are undergoing imprisonment as a result of violent anger that lasts only a fraction of minutes,” TK Somaiya of Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal said as reported by the DNA .

He also added that the initiative which was aimed to inculcate the qualities of Satya and Ahimsa among prisoners has given positive results. Laxman Gole, a prisoner convicted for a number of crimes in 2005, is one such example. Gole has been preaching Gandhian thoughts across jails in Maharashtra through the Mandal.

The books written by Mahatma Gandhi are made available to the inmates free of cost. An examination of 80 marks is conducted which includes 80 objective type questions. The successful candidates will be awarded a certificate along with khadi clothes.

Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal truly deserves appreciation for its reformatory initiatives. It has clearly shown how national festivals should be ideally celebrated.