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.
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