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.  

                              XXX

THE CULT OF BABA AMBEDKAR

THE CULT OF BABA AMBEDKAR – A FORCE THAT CHANGED INDIA

THE EMERGENCE OF DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR ON THE INDIAN POLITICAL LAND SCAPE WAS A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY, AS IT INITIATED THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING THE UPPER CASTE HEGEMONY ON THE PATH TO THE ESTABLISHMEN OF AN EQUAL INDIA.

The Indian nation owes a great deal to Dr. Ambedkar, the chief architect of our constitution and the messiah of the downtrodden. His role in the making of post-independence modern India is often overlooked or misunderstood. Dr. Ambedkar, the most invoked of all dalit icons, began his journey in a sleepy village of Maharastra. He saw and faced the menace of untouchability and exploitation. But this did not deter him to go ahead in life, he fought all odds bravely and went up to become the chief architect of the Indian constitution, as he was a prominent member in the constituent assembly which drafted the Indian constitution.

This war, victory and achievement of such an exalted status symbolizes the triumph of the struggle against exploitation and injustice which he undertook throughout his life. Under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, special provisions were made in the Indian constitution to discourage, deter and eventually eliminate the worst forms of caste exploitation.

It is beyond doubt, that India on coming in contact with the western culture, was changing very fast. The process of social transformation, to end inequality based on birth began much before the coming of Ambedkar. But it was under him and later on under his name that the forces of social justice were galvanized and brought under a single banner. Today his name symbolizes not merely a need for social adjustment but also a strong anger against people who disregard the novel humanist principle of dignity and equality of all human beings. The life and achievements of Dr. Ambedkar have turned into a heritage for the proud dalits which they consider as glorious, heroic and sacred.

His tireless efforts, which was later on, carried on by his supporters and descendents became a social factor to reckon with. He and his name unleashed a process which would go on heightening the self esteem and empowerment of not merely the dalits but also the other backward castes.

The dalit factor became so strong in the Indian political and social milieu that being pro- dalit was not merely fashionable but even mandatory. Baba Ambedkar was a revolutionary, beyond a point. He was not reconciliatory or compromising. He demanded justice for the downtrodden. He asked for equality, nothing less. He didn’t believe in gradual or slow transition. He represents the militant, aggressive and yet the most popular face of Dalit activism.

In the year 1956, he embraced Buddhism with about 5 lakh supporters. He exhorted that all dalits should embrace Buddhism, an Indian religion which he found eagalatarian and caste free. This was a clear warning to the Brahminical establishment. The orthodox upper castes realized the gravity of this threat and were ready to give in more concessions to the dalits. The process which began with him reached one aspect of its culmination, when in 1997 Dr. K.R. Narayanan was sworn in as the President of india. He was the first dalit head of state and it was a wonderful gift to the nation on the 50th anniversary of its independence.

The heritage of Ambedkar has produced many dalit super icons like Smt Mayavati and Shri Ram Vilas Paswan who cherish Prime Ministerial ambitions. The cult of Ambedkar lies at the core of current day dalit movement. His name evokes a sense of modernization, revolution and the dawn of a new era in the life of Indian nation.

Salutations to the man who brought the unjust and cruel caste system to doldrums, bringing liberation, equality and scope for growth into the lives of millions. Indeed he is one of the major makers of modern India.

--------------------------------------------------------------xxx-------------------------------------------