5 Happy Things About… The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum in Atlantic City!
By: Raymond Tyler
Date: June 8th, 2023
Welcome to 5 Happy Things. Where we offer information and 5 happy, quick, juicy nuggets of insight on a South Jersey Cultural person, place, or thing. Today we introduce you to The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum of Atlantic City.
The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum
109 Arkansas Ave, Atlantic City, NJ
Open Sun-Sat 12 pm to 6 pm
Shalini Basu is The Director of Development for The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum of Atlantic City. Basu explained, "The Museum was developed to honor the legacy and philosophies of peace and nonviolence that Mr. Gandhi preached during his lifetime and through his work, and was also a shared vision of Dr. Martin Luther King. We are in the process of building the exhibits and adding more attributes of Dr. King. The sister facility is located in Northern Jersey, which is more of a teaching/community center and sales center for memorabilia."
Basini spoke with SJCA recently, and here are 5 Happy Things we want to share:
- Nonviolence Has A Place and a Home In 2023: Shalini Basu explains, "In 2023, as continued reports of mass public shootings and acts of violence against individuals propagated by differences in race, gender, ethnicity, etc. surface, nonviolence is that underutilized tool that we must embrace. Nonviolence can be the means by which people can work through differences and coexist without harming one another or disrupting that sense of community."
- Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's Influence has spread well beyond his native India: Shalini Basu explains, "Mr. Gandhi wanted fair treatment for Indians against the British empire, first in South Africa and then in India itself, and led to the Indian subcontinent's independence in 1947. On a global scale, his life and work in the use of nonviolence and civil disobedience have inspired other world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King to lead nonviolent campaigns of change. Today, Mr. Gandhi is remembered for his ability to teach the world results achieved through peace. The Center and Museum in Atlantic City is a testament shared by almost two hundred sister facilities around the world."
- All Cultures Are Welcome To The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum: Atlantic City has a rich heritage and is a melting pot of many cultures. According to Basu, "The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum symbolizes that peace speaks to these various cultures being able to coexist together. The Center also serves as a beacon of guidance to resolve community conflict from anti-bullying in schools to violence in the streets of Atlantic City."
- The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum Plans to Help The Community not Just Preach to It: Basu shares how The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center will help the local community. "Our goal is to engage our community to learn about Mr. Gandhi and Dr. King, but we will also be rolling out community engagement programs such as food/coat drives, youth art/essay contests, and events that encourage community building and nonviolence."
- The Eternal Gandhi Peace Center and Museum invite you to an Open House! Thursday, June 22nd, 5 pm to 7 pm. Please bring dry packaged or canned goods for The AC Rescue Mission. Contact Shalini Basu at 609-233-3147 for more information on the open house. For more information on Gandhi and The Peace Centers around the globe, please visit https://gandhiansociety.org/.
