“Generations after may scare to
believe that a person like Gandhi has lived in this world with blood and
flesh”. This was the anxiety of the ‘great scientist’ in the history of science
– Albert Einstein. After a century, can we say that the ideology of Gandhi is
not in the forefront of idealism and ethics?
The core concepts put forwarded by
Mahatma Gandhi are Truth, Ahimsa and Self Development. Speak truth always and
be honest, Shun violent methods of agitation and adopt Satyagraha – it is the path of those who love and desire truth, and
strive for self sufficiency and self development. Indeed these concepts have
much relevance in the modern era.
Truth alone triumphs (Satyameva Jayathe) – from time immemorial, this
notion was a part of our culture. Gandhi
gave more meaning to this truth by his words and deeds. He proved it is
important our practices rather than our preaches, in another words preach what
you practice. This why Mahatma Gandhi confidently said ‘My Life is My Message’
and I don’t have any message to you through my pen other than my life. Firmly
Tagore called him ‘Mahatma’ and Subhash Chandrabose mentioned him as ‘the
father of Nation’. There is nothing more in ‘My Experiments with Truth’ which
proudly presents the Harischandra.
Recent turmoil in Tunisia, Jordan and
certain democratic countries gained the attention of globe by the method
adapted to reinstate democracy – Non – Violence. Peaceful way of expressing the
demand was the strategy of Gandhi. The
Satyagraha strategy of Anna Hazzare and India Against Corruption (IAC) was
strong enough to shook the thrones of powers. Non violent mode of Satyagraha
practiced by Gandhi still a power tool for ordinary people.
His desire for self sufficiency and
development is gaining attention these days. Gandhi was a pro of sustainable
development, he strongly argued for the preservation environment, society,
heritage and pristine ambience of rural India. Focus on agriculture can remove
the hunger and a systematic effort to protect farmers and to preserve nature can
ensure inclusive growth was his approach. Now we debate it in Conferences of
Parties (CoP) and Earth Summits. The present Current Account Deficit and
Balance of Payment (BoP) issues force us to go back to the ‘Sustainable India’
concept of Gandhi.
It is evident that the Gandhian
thoughts are still an evergreen idea for the world. The holistic approach
(conceptualized from the Holy Bible, the Bhagavt Gita and the Unto the Last
(Ruskin Bond)) designed by Mahatama Gandhi is enough to guide individuals,
groups and nations. Whilst we worrying about myriad socio-economic and
environmental issues, let’s look back to the revolutionary thoughts of our
‘father of nation’.
Paul
V Mathew
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