Former Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma will deliver a lecture on Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring ethical legacy and its relevance to contemporary public life at the Nehru Centre in London on Friday, 30 October 2026.
The lecture, titled “Mahatma Gandhi: The Sovereignty of Conscience and the Responsibilities of Public Life”, is being hosted by the High Commission of India in London in association with the Nehru Centre. The event will begin at 6.30 pm at the Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF.
Drawing on his extensive experience in public service and his engagement with Gandhian thought, Mr Sharma will explore how Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence and service continue to offer guidance in an increasingly complex world.
The lecture will examine the relationship between conscience and power, conviction and compromise, and individual integrity and collective responsibility. It will consider how Gandhi’s ethical vision can inform leadership, promote social harmony and strengthen a shared commitment to the common good.
Moving beyond a simple commemoration of Gandhi’s life and teachings, the session will invite audiences to reflect on how moral conviction can be translated into purposeful public action. It will explore the continuing importance of ethical decision-making, personal integrity and responsibility towards society.
Mr Sharma, a British Indian politician who represented Ealing Southall in Parliament, brings to the discussion a background in political and public service. His reflections are expected to connect Gandhi’s philosophical ideals with the practical challenges faced by those in public life today.
Gandhi’s legacy continues to resonate across national, cultural and religious boundaries. His emphasis on truth, non-violence, compassion and service remains relevant to discussions about democratic leadership, social cohesion and the responsibilities of individuals and institutions.
The lecture offers an opportunity for members of the Indian diaspora and the wider public to engage with these principles and consider their relevance to contemporary Britain and the wider world.
The organisers invite members of the public to attend this thought-provoking evening at the Nehru Centre.
Event details
Lecture: Mahatma Gandhi: The Sovereignty of Conscience and the Responsibilities of Public Life
Speaker: Mr Virendra Sharma, former Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF
Hosted by: High Commission of India, London, and The Nehru Centre.
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