GANDHIJI—THE FATHER OF NATION

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

1. The canvas got painted by Gandhiji’s public role in social reform, and political struggle in such a way that, his ideas and movements were discussed, and debated in American and European newspapers, magazines, books, televisions, and radio. His deed was keenly followed by top politicians and statesmen across the world, in his lifetime, and beyond. It also influenced the FREDOM STRUGGLE in distant countries.

2. Gandhiji was one of the pioneers of the concept of environmental sustainability. The quintessential Gandhian question- “How much should a person consume?” still rings true today. And the concept has its root in Indian Philosophy. And the application shall be extended to states, and nation. His model of sustainability continues to hold relevance in our burgeoning and populous nation, nay, world. Gandhi’s was the initial thrust, behind what would later become a vigorous environmental movement, by campaigning against the excesses of industrial wastage in the name of development and consequently, promoting renewable energy and small-scale irrigation systems.

3. The philosophy of non-violence or Ahimsa was borrowed partly from GITA, and partly from BUDDHA by Gandhiji. His practice of Ahimsa was also an extension of respect for other religions with a sense of fraternity. Gandhi generally opposed injustice and authoritarian rule, but sometimes compromised. His peaceful and verbal yet non-violent opposition to the arbitrary and brutal use of state power was the WEAPON he used against BRITISH RULE for freedom struggle, and is the primary manifestation of the Gandhian legacy today. Non-co-operation is a twin sister, possibly borrowed from Tolstoy, and applied.

4. Brushing aside the constant fight between Atheists, monotheists, and Polytheists, Gandhiji said that no religion has a monopoly on the truth. He reasoned against religious conversion, saying that ‘one should accept the faith into which one was born, but seek always to interpret it in the most broad-minded and nonviolent way.’ This ideal is the CORE of SANATAN DHARMA, he actively embraced this, and encouraged friendships cutting across all religious lines.

5. Gandhiji’s method of Satyagraha, which was his main weapon to fight for freedom, has been successfully applied in countless ways, in independent INDIA, to achieve a resolute end to forceful subordination. Be it, the Chipko Movement in the 1970s for bringing an end to deforestation, to Tribal Movement in the 1980s in Central India against a massive dam construction, to the 2011 anti-corruption campaign which spread nationwide in a praiseworthy attempt to counter the dis-honesty of political class, and last, but one—the recent FARMERS’ MOVEMENT.

6. Gandhiji has played an instrumental role in the upliftment of women across the country. The most notable one is the formation of the institution “SEWA” --the Self-Employed Women’s Association in Ahmedabad, which has organized a million plus women in producer cooperatives, providing them with child and maternal healthcare and a cooperative bank to encourage, and achieve economic self-reliance.

7. Through dialogue, self-torture (FASTING) and compromise, Gandhiji sought to bring a mini-India together by strengthening the foundation of Indian National Congress – which under his foresightful direction, transformed from an elitist lecturing POLITICAL CLUB of professionals into a mass based political organization with a wide outreach in all states and districts of BRITISH INDIA.

It is sad that through gradual breaking, and changes- CONGRESS ultimately became a FAMILY-OWNED POLITICAL PARTY, seeds of which was sown by his “MANAS PUTRA”—whom he made the first P.M. of INDIA, in a non-democratic way.

8. Unlike the plight of numerous ex-colonies, despite being a victim of COLONEAL IMPEREALISM, India has stridden far ahead in terms of political parity. The Constitution of India clearly laid down the democratic principles that became the FOUNDATION of INDEPENDENT INDIA to day. It ensured mostly free and fair elections, linguistic diversity, separation of state and religion in a more inclusive way, and ensuring protection of underprivileged classes of society. A lot of these achievements owe credit to Gandhiji’s visionary approach practiced during his leadership, while framing the Constitution.

9. In order to emancipate Dalits and uplift the so-called untouchables’ condition, Gandhiji set up the All-India Anti-Untouchability League and later renamed it Harijan Sevak Sangh. He coined the term, Harijan; which translates to “children of God” – a term far above the derogatory and derisive word--SHUDRA used for identifying them. A breakthrough moment happened when untouchability was finally abolished by law.

Today we have P.M. elected from lower class, who is possibly the best STASTESMAN of the world today, and most respected WORLD LEADER; and have President from a Tribal community.

10. Through his leadership in the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhiji played a crucial role in the unification of the country, awakening of the masses, and bringing politics within reach of the common man. This, perhaps, his largest achievement, for which NETAJI crowned him with the title— “FATHER OF NATION”

HIS CONTRIBUTION ARE WRITTEN IN GOLDEN LETTERS. TODAY—I SALUTE HIM FOR HIS POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS.

Few main references:-

The story of my experiences with truth—Gandhi

Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule-- Gandhi

India Before Freedom; —R.C. Guha

Gandhi—the years that changed the world: -- R.C. Guha

Gandhi—Prisoner of Hope: -J.M.Brown.

The good Boatman—RAJMOHAN GANDHI

​My Dear Bapu: Letters from C. Rajagopalachari to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Devadas Gandhi and Gopalkrishna Gandhi

'Why I Assassinated Mahatma Gandhi' by Nathuram Godse, Gopal Godse

The author read many more books on MKG, visited most of GANDHI ASHRAMS, took notes. Will write a separate BLOG on his failures.