Nelson Mandela Monument unveiled in Peace Garden

September 13, 2024.Reading time 2 minutes.

Media and dignitaries gather around the newly unveiled Nelson Mandela sculpture in the Fresno State Peace Garden.

A life-sized bronze statue of anti-apartheid activist, former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela stands just east of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue, facing the Fresno State Library from in front of the Professional Human Services building.

The M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya opens in the Fresno State Library

October 25, 2023.Reading time 20 minutes.

President Jiménez-Sandoval, Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel, and others stand in front of the M.K. Gandhi Center and cut a ribbon with oversized scissors.

“The center’s space in the library is appropriate. It is consistent with Fresno State’s dedication to diversity, discovery and distinction. The center also represents the values of justice, of equity, of respect, of inclusion.” ~ Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Fresno State President.

President’s Lecture Series presents author Mallika Chopra as part of Gandhi Center opening

October 10, 2023.Reading time 7 minutes.

The M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya will hold a grand opening event at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at its new location at the Fresno State Library (Room 3109).

M.K. Gandhi Center hosts a screening of ‘Kasturba Gandhi: Accidental Activist’ film

February 16, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

A free screening will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at the Peters Educational Center.

‘Freedom Inside’ author gives talk on meditation in prisons

February 16, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

? Author and educator Farah Godrej will present a lecture on her book “Freedom Inside? Yoga Meditation in the Carceral State” at 3 p.m. Monday, March 6, on Zoom.

Jain, Hindu and Gandhi symposium explores practice of inner peace in a turbulent world

September 27, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

Silhouette illustration of Gandhi, dressed in a white robe with a walking stick on an orange background. Artwork by Albert Haro.

The symposium explores practical pathways to inner and outer peace and harmony through the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi and Jain and Hindu dharma traditions.

Featured Supporter: The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation

April 27, 2022.Reading time 13 minutes.

Left to right: Amar Patel, Naina Patel, Ravi Patel and Rashi Patel

“Whether we believe in it or not, the universe is interested in the greater good of everybody. It’s the impulse of life which promotes the wellbeing from the smallest of seeds to the biggest of elephants. The only way to be connected to the music of life is to be interested in the greater good of the universe.” ~ Dr. Ravi Patel

Civil rights leader celebrates new Gandhi Center

March 28, 2022.Reading time 12 minutes.

Rev. James Lawson speaks at Fresno State.

On Feb. 18, Rev. James Lawson Jr. joined a Zoom gathering with Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel, community members, campus leaders, students and faculty from Fresno State as they announced the creation of the “M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya.”

Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation donate $1.5M for M.K. Gandhi Center at Fresno State

January 28, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

A black and white image of M.K. Gandhi and his entourage prepare to board a ship.

Fresno received a $1.5 million pledge from the Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation to establish an endowed fund to create and support the “M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya” in the College of Arts and Humanities.