GANDHI – IN HIS TIME AND OURS

"Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood"

                                                              - (Albert Einstein on Gandhi)

The enigma of Gandhi transcends eons and geopolitical boundaries, and it symbolizes a force which envisioned the greatest social sublimity and a very high order of civility constructed on the foundation of a very profound, well researched, novel and radical philosophical-ethical value system of non-violence, truth, mutual respect and always a concern and care for ‘the other’.

Gandhi, or Mahatma Gandhi as he is popularly referred to as in India, can be very simply described as a great philosopher-saint, a pragmatic visionary, a master strategist, an astute statesman, a giant innovator of socio-economic schemes, propounder of alternative modernity, an interpreter of ‘different democracy’ and above all the father of modern India, who gave her independence and a new line of existence.

Gandhi in his times was a force which no one could ignore. He gave India her independence and showed to the world how to fight with the potent weapons of non-violence and truth. His vision for a harmonious and vibrant society was class apart, and his non-violent struggle has inspired many a movements in the world – the movement led by Martin Luther King Jr in the USA fighting for equal rights to African Americans in 1950s and 60s and the long drawn non-violent anti-apartheid struggle led by the illustrious African leader Nelson Mandela in South Africa - to name just a few.  

Gandhi laid the foundations of a value-based and ethical India. He tried his level best to free Indian society of it’s ugliest blot – untouchability, and toured the entire Indian subcontinent to teach people against the evils of this degraded and rotten social custom. He was also one of the greatest ambassadors of Hindu-Muslim unity, and promoted the cause of social and national integration through his speeches, writings, messages and way of life.

Gandhi initiated the famous Sarvodaya movement which emphasized ‘development and progress of all sections of society’. This was a unique experiment of inclusive growth and the precursor to a modern, welfare state.

The impact of Gandhi for decades influenced the lives of millions in India, and made people honest, truthful and committed to the cause of social and national good. The legacy of Gandhi continues to impact India and the world in myriads of ways. It has inspired the Bhoodan movement in past. The various pro-environment and anti-deforestation movements like the Chipko of the 70s and 80s had the element of non-violence and truth attached to them. The feminist anti-liquor movement which have once and again appeared in India, like recently in parts of rural Andhra Pradesh, draw their inspiration from Gandhi and his thinking. Gandhi’s autobiography ‘The Story of My experiments with Trutrh’ is a master piece and a great comprehensive manual for the individual and society, which even today inspires many youths.

Gandhi and his legacy have certainly shaped the destiny of modern India. The value-system of Gandhi continues to inspire India and the world, and his thinking forms the basis of the contemporary Indian socio-ethical framework. He influences India more than any other recent thinker.

Gandhi ji was assaisinated on 30^th January, 1948 in Delhi by Nathu Ram Godse, a fanatic who was aggrieved by the partition of India. Gandhi died but his legacy continues to influence, inspire and ignite the minds of people. There is enormous influence of Gandhi – rightly called the greatest Indian after Buddha.  

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