Last updated on: March 6, 2026
Arun Manilal Gandhi was an author, journalist, and peace activist. He spent most of his life sharing the message of nonviolence taught by his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi.
Arun Gandhi was born on April 14, 1934, in Durban. His father was Manilal Gandhi, and his mother was Sushila Mashruwala Gandhi. His father worked as a journalist and activist in South Africa. The family was deeply involved in fighting racial injustice.
As a young boy, Arun faced discrimination because of his Indian background. These early experiences helped him understand the pain of injustice. They also shaped his belief in peaceful solutions.
When he was about 12 years old, his parents sent him to live with his famous grandfather in India. Arun stayed at Sevagram Ashram from 1946 to 1948. During this time, he learned many lessons about discipline, truth, and nonviolence.
Living with Mahatma Gandhi changed his life. He later said that those months helped him understand how to turn anger into positive action.
Quick Facts About Arun Manilal Gandhi
| Full Name | Arun Manilal Gandhi |
| Birthdate | April 14, 1934 |
| Age | 89 years (at the time of his death) |
| Occupation | Author, Journalist, Peace Activist |
| Husband/Wife | Sunanda Gandhi (married 1957–2007) |
| Education | Grew up learning Gandhian philosophy at Sevagram Ashram; later worked as a journalist |
| Parents | Father – Manilal Gandhi; Mother – Sushila Mashruwala Gandhi |
| Siblings | Sita Dhupelia (Sita Gandhi) and Ela Gandhi |
| Children | Tushar Gandhi and Archana Gandhi |
| Grandparents | Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi |
| Birthplace | Durban |
| Death | May 2, 2023 in Kolhapur |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Growing Up With Gandhi’s Teachings
Arun returned to South Africa shortly before his grandfather’s assassination in 1948. The loss deeply affected him. Still, the lessons he learned at Sevagram stayed with him forever.
Unlike his grandfather’s simple and strict lifestyle, Arun chose a more modern path. However, he remained committed to Gandhian values such as peace, compassion, and respect.
He believed that nonviolence was not only for politics. It could also help people solve everyday conflicts in families, schools, and communities.
Career as Journalist and Activist
Arun Gandhi began his career as a journalist. Writing helped him share ideas with a wider audience. Over time, he became known as a strong voice for peace.
In 1987, he moved to the United States with his wife Sunanda Gandhi. A few years later, in 1991, he founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence at Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
The institute teaches people how to solve conflicts without violence. It runs programs for students, teachers, and communities.
Arun also started special educational trips called the Gandhi Legacy Tour in 1997. These tours take visitors to places in India connected to Mahatma Gandhi’s life.
In 2013, he served on the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. This role reflected his belief in harmony between religions and cultures.
Books and Writings
Arun Gandhi wrote several books about peace, anger, and personal growth. His writing style was simple and thoughtful.
One of his most famous books is The Gift of Anger: And Other Lessons from My Grandfather Mahatma Gandhi. In this book, he explains that anger is natural. What matters is how people use it.
Other well-known books include Legacy of Love: My Education in the Path of Nonviolence and A Patch of White. Through these works, he shared stories about his grandfather and the lessons he learned growing up.
His goal was simple. He wanted people to see that peaceful choices can change the world.
Family Life
Arun Gandhi married Sunanda Gandhi, a nurse, in 1957. The couple shared a long life together until her death in 2007.
They had two children. Their son Tushar Gandhi became an author and public speaker who also promotes Gandhian ideas. Their daughter Archana Gandhi has mostly stayed out of the public spotlight.
Family remained important to Arun. He often spoke about the influence of his parents and grandfather on his life.
READ ALSO: Mahatma Gandhi Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Death and Lasting Legacy
Arun Manilal Gandhi passed away on May 2, 2023, in Kolhapur. He was 89 years old.
Even after his death, his message continues to inspire people around the world. Through his books, speeches, and institutions, he helped carry forward the values of peace, truth, and nonviolence.
Today, many people remember Arun Gandhi as a bridge between generations. He kept the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings alive and shared them with the modern world.
