玩偶姐姐

Celebration to mark the International Day of non violence was held at the 玩偶姐姐 on 2^nd October, 2022.The day marks 153rd birthday day of Mahatma Gandhi, the architect and founder听of non-violence philosophy.

The Indian High Commissioner Designate, Ms.Namgya Khampa led guests that included the Deputy Governor of Kirinyaga County Mr. David Wachira, Justice Sharad Rao former chairman of Judges and Magistrates vetting panel , diplomats, scholars and university students.

The ceremony commenced听with the guests paying their听tribute to the Gandhi statue at the 玩偶姐姐. The High Commissioner observed that Gandhi's influence permeated the whole world including East Africa. His听ideology of peace and non violence is still being felt today. Gandhi influenced freedom fighters in East Africa to fight against discrimination. Kenya's freedom fighters like J.M .Dessai听 and Harry Thuku were influenced by Gandhi. Harry Thuku infact听proclaimed himself as the Gandhi of East Africa.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Prof.Julius Ogeng'o,听 Prof.Stephen Kiama the VC of the 玩偶姐姐 observed that Gandhi's philosophy is relevant today in a world where violence is rife. The Vice Chancellor said academic excellence is allergic to violence. Universities as centres of academic excellence must avoid all forms of extremism and violence including intellectual violence. He advocated for a culture of Peace, tolerance and inclusivity in academic institutions.

History Scholar Dr. Keneth Ombongi noted that it was a day to remember. A day to remember life and messages of a great man whose legacy endures even today. Gandhi's philosophy and ideology transcended his country and inspired struggles for freedom across the globe including Kenya. He saw the way humanity are tied together. His听philosophy transcended听divisions and politics. Today his teachings are relevant听 when we experience conflicts and extremism etc. Prof. Ombongi argued that Africa played a big role to听his greatness. The younger generations in Africa should dedicate themselves to promoting peace and tolerance and bequeath it to the future generations.
Dr. Keneth Ombongi contends that Gandhi spent 21 years in Africa. In his formative years as听lawyer, he was given to Africa听 by India听 but Africans听 gave back Mahatma to India. He was听a moralistic and a crusader of freedom. Paradoxically, he was听assassinated by a bullet.

In a听world that is currently in听distress, full of听anger and consternations, self service to humanity, his teachings bear a lot听of relevance to our materially deprived world. Gandhi did not build an economic empire but only did simple acts of kindness and charity. Dr.Ombongi urged the听audience to always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.
Sharad听 Rao, on his part observed that Gandhi discarded all forms of western GARMENTS ,violence and hypocrisy. Paradoxically, Gandhi was assassinated by Hindu Extremists five months after India's independence in 1948.

The 玩偶姐姐 owes its origins and听existence to the Indian Community's resolve to establish a听Gandhi Memorial听College of Arts and Management. The听Indian community's idea of a Gandhi College was supported by the colonial government to start the Royal Technical College in 1956听which evolved to become the 玩偶姐姐 in 1970.