Origin & Introduction
It is generally believed that an individual’s behaviour cannot really affect the world situation. It is hardly surprising that in a world of atomic and nuclear weapons, concentration camps, brain washing and the like, they feel too small and too weak to contribute to a solution of the innumerable conflicts which beset us constantly. Many of these conflicts are due to the web of distrust, distorted views, prejudices, jealously and lack of faith which stand between us and better understanding. It is for this reason that the Experiment believes that the individual is an indispensable means of furthering peace, as the preamble of the UNESCO Charter states. “Since war begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed”.
The History of the Indian Association of the Experiment in International Living goes back to 1932, when its founder Dr. Donald Watt took a group of young Americans to Europe with the express purpose of making friends with Europeans. Shri Mahendra Meghani of Ahmedabad, then studying journalism in Columbia University, found its idea appealing in 1948 and started communication with Dr. Watt. The first Experimenter, Ms. Elizabeth from USA, visited India in 1948 under its Homestay programme.
The Indian Experiment acquired its legal status in 1962 when "The Indian Association of the Experiment in International Living" was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. With its legal entity, now 47 years old, the organisation is popularly known as Indian Experiment or EIL India.
By living together we learn to live together" is the simple faith on which the Experiment in International Living works. The Experiment believes that the present day search for world peace can be fruitfully conducted only on a people to people basis. The Experiment is convinced that beneath the superficial differences of language, culture, food and dress lies the togetherness of the people from Country to Country. Primarily, the Experiment believes that Peace on earth and goodwill among men are inseparable.
The Experiment has traveled a long way. Experimenters coming to India had memorable moments with Honorable Prime Ministers - Jawahar Lal Nehru, Murarji Desai, Indira Gandhi, and Honorable Presidents - Dr.Radha Krishnan, Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy and Honorable Vice President Dr. Zakir Hussain.