With the goal of bringing better cultural understanding to campus life, the Indian Student Association will hold its second annual Gandhi Week starting Monday with the theme “Be the Change!”

This week’s events are intended to use Gandhi’s teachings to “induce people to do things to help fellow human beings and to bring different cultures together,” said Nirav Amin, co-chair of the association’s cultural awareness committee and senior in LAS.

Mahatma Gandhi, India’s great leader in its struggle for independence from the British Empire, was born on October 2, 1869, which is the reason the events are being held this week.

Gandhi dedicated his life to fostering the philosophy of nonviolence to affect changes.

“Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind,” said Gandhi, referring to his pacifist philosophy. “It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”

Gandhi Week’s events begin Monday at 9 p.m. with a candlelight vigil on the Quad in front of the Illini Union. The flame from a single candle will be passed from person to person, symbolizing the peace each person can spread. A female acappella group, Chandini, will sing India’s national anthem.

A “Bowling for Bucks” tournament, sponsored by Sbarro Italian Eatery, is being held Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the basement of the Union, said Amin. Sbarro has pledged to donate 75 cents for every spare and $1 for every strike to the Red Cross. Special prizes will be awarded to bowlers with the highest scores.

The 1982 film, “Gandhi,” directed by Richard Attenborough, which won eight Oscars, will be shown in Lincoln Hall, room 196, on Wednesday. A panel discussion, beginning at 9 p.m., will precede the three-hour epic, starring Ben Kingsley as Gandhi.

The film traces Gandhi’s life: born to a middle-class family in Porbandar on the west coast of India and educated as a lawyer in London before going to South Africa and working toward equality for Indian immigrants. Gandhi returned to India 21 years later and became a leader in its independence movement. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948 at the age of 79 on his way to prayers.

Vinayak Sathyamoorthy, co-chair of association’s cultural awareness committee and junior in engineering, said the film had a great impact on him.

“People generally know the details of (Gandhi’s) life, but the film captures his purpose,” he said.

Students will participate in a day of voluntary fasting on Thursday, ending in a dinner at 7 p.m. at the Asian American House, 1208 W. Nevada Ave. Everyone who plans to participate in the fast can pick up a green ribbon at the Indian Student Association office on the second floor of the Union. There is an optional donation to partake in the dinner.

In the spirit of Gandhi’s statement, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” the association has designated Saturday as a day of service.

Anil D’Souza, president of the Indian Student Association and junior in engineering, said volunteers would assist Habitat for Humanity in building a home for a local family. Other volunteers will help at the Swann Special Care Center and the Care Center. A volunteer sign-up sheet can be found in the association’s office.

Last year, the Indian Student Association raised $1,500 during Gandhi Week to donate to World Vision. This year’s funds will be donated to the American Red Cross to help hurricane victims.

“I would expect to raise more this year,” said Sathyamoorthy who mounted posters in residence halls and the Union. Because the Indian Student Association is the second largest student organization on campus with more than 300 members, Sathyamoorthy said he believes word of mouth is the most effective promotion.