top of page
bANNER.png

“See the good in people and help them.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi 

My Journey to Inner Strength
 

Veena R. Howard, Ph.D. is a Professor of Asian Religious Traditions in the Department of Philosophy at California State University, Fresno. She holds the Endowed Chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma and serves as the director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya. A recipient of the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (2024-2025), Dr. Howard is a distinguished scholar, author, and speaker, specializing in nonviolence, Gandhian philosophy, and Indian religious traditions. She has served on various boards, including the Board of Trustees of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and has spoken at numerous national and international conferences. She is also a TEDx speaker—watch her talk

    • Books:

      • Gandhi’s Global Legacy: Moral Methods and Moral Challenges (Lexington, 2023)

      • The Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Indian Philosophy and Gender (ed.) (Bloomsbury, 2019)

      • Dharma: Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh Traditions of India (ed.) (IB Tauris, 2017)

      • Gandhi’s Ascetic Activism: Renunciation and Social Action (SUNY Press, 2013)

    • Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles:

      • “The Nonviolence Conundrum: Political Peace and Personal Karma in Jain and Hindu Traditions” (Religions, 2023)

      • “Nonviolence as Love in Action: James Lawson’s Transforming the Promise of Jesus’ Love into a Practical Force for Change” (Practical Matters Journal, 2020)

      • “Oxford Bibliography Article: Mohandas K. Gandhi” (Oxford University Press, 2019)

      • “Lessons from ‘The Hawk and the Dove’: Reflections on the Mahabharata’s Animal Parables and Ethical Predicaments” (Sophia International Journal of Philosophy and Traditions, 2016)

      • “Rethinking Gandhi’s Celibacy: Ascetic Power and the Empowerment of Women” (Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 2013)

    • Director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya

    • Research focus on nonviolence, Gandhian philosophy, and Indian religious traditions

    • Frequent speaker at national and international conferences

    • Served on the Board of Trustees, Parliament of the World’s Religions

    • Recipient of multiple research fellowships, including the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (2024-2025)

    • Fulbright-Nehru Grant Recipient (2024-2025)

    • TEDx Speaker – Watch her talk: Truth Force, Love Force

    • Speaker at global forums on Gandhian ethics, nonviolence, and social justice

    • Contributor to Oxford Bibliographies, academic journals, and research handbooks

VR.png

My Story

The world of my childhood was a very recently post-colonial India. As a child, I felt the effects of Gandhi's nonviolent efforts in a very direct way. Not only did I witness the positive effects of Ahimsa (love-force), but also how consciously practicing it is the hardest feat a human can enact.

 

Growing up, I always had aspirations of becoming a professor, but given my circumstances, it was difficult to conceive of a life where these dreams could come true. However, somehow, I found a way. Since then, I received my PhD in the United Kingdom, multiple masters in the United States, and have spent many joyful years teaching students and developing my methodologies for leadership and communication based on research and discourse with the greatest nonviolent leaders of our time.

 

Currently I serve as a professor of Asian Religious Traditions in the Department of Philosophy at California State University, Fresno where I also hold the Endowed Chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma. I was also recently appointed as the director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya and serve as the coordinator of Peace and Conflict Studies.

95
Inspiring Talks Given

35
Published Papers and Books

My Mission

This is a space to share more about the business: who's behind it, what it does and what this site has to offer. It’s an opportunity to tell the story behind the business or describe a special service or product it offers. You can use this section to share the company history or highlight a particular feature that sets it apart from competitors.
 

Let the writing speak for itself. Keep a consistent tone and voice throughout the website to stay true to the brand image and give visitors a taste of the company’s values and personality.

My Method

This is a space to share more about the business: who's behind it, what it does and what this site has to offer. It’s an opportunity to tell the story behind the business or describe a special service or product it offers. You can use this section to share the company history or highlight a particular feature that sets it apart from competitors.
 

Let the writing speak for itself. Keep a consistent tone and voice throughout the website to stay true to the brand image and give visitors a taste of the company’s values and personality.

bottom of page