Page 4 - Final Gandhi AnniversaryOct 2020

Gandhi Legacy Beyond Independence of India
Truth

he quality of any leadership demands expression of ‘truth’ that commands an indefinable
Tmysterious power that pervades everything. If applied, the people you serve would be prepared
to walk that extra mile with you when facing most turmoil times. When referring to Mahatma Gandhi
we use the word ‘Satyagrah’ more causually, yet the word satya (Truth) is derived from Sat which
means ‘being’. Nothing is or exists in reality except Truth. Gandhiji has equated ‘Truth’ with God;
that cannot be seen but is felt and defies all proof.

“If we once learn how to apply this never failing test of Truth, we will at once able to find out what is
worth doing, what is worth seeing, what is worth reading. But how is one to to realize this Truth, which
may be likened to the philosophers stone or the cow of plenty? By single minded devotion (abhyasa )
and indifference to all other interests in life (vairagya) replies the Bhagavadgita. But Truth is the right
designation of God. Hence there is nothing wrong in every man following Truth according to his lights.
Indeed it is his duty to do so. Then if there is a mistake on the part of any one so following Truth it will "Truth alone triumphs"
be automatically set right. For the quest of Truth involves tapas self suffering, sometimes even unto
death. There can be no place in it even a trace of self interest. In such selfless search for Truth nobody
can lose his bearings for long. Directly he takes to the wrong path he stumbles, and is thus redirected
to the right path. Therefore the pursuit of Truth is true bhakti (devotion). It is the path that leads to
God. There is no place in it for cowardice, no place for defeat. It is the talisman by which death itself
becomes the portal to life eternal.
Source: The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi ji’s insistence on truth is something, seemed to be gradually fading from our practice of
our faith as well as political morality. And, that is why Gandhiji is more relevant to our generation
now than ever before. The definition of perceived Ram Rajya can not be at the exclusion of political
morality that relies upon Truth. A divine kingdom, Ram Rajya where values of justice and equality
prevail and the leaderships exhibit, adoption of truth beyond the need of self preservation.
The words, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ - Truth Alone Triumphs - written in Devanagari script below the profile of the Lion
Capital is part of the State Emblem of India.
Nonviolence

he meaning of “Nonviolence” is simply agreeing that you won’t physically attack your enemy. But, it
"Nonviolence is a
Tgoes beyond the physical hurt. Gandhiji referred to his form of nonviolence as satyagraha, meaning
powerful and just
“truth-force” or “love-force.” Practicing satyagraha means a person should seek truth and love while
weapon. Indeed, it is
refusing, through nonviolent resistance, to participate in something he/she believes is wrong. This a weapon unique in
principle guided Gandhiji’s activism against the British Empire, helping India win independence in history, which cuts
1947”, said Martin Luther Jr. who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. without wounding
Mahatma Gandhi was of the view:“No religion in the World has explained the principle of Ahimsa and ennobles the
so deeply and systematically as is discussed with its applicability in every human life in Jainism. As man who wields it."
The Quest for Peace
and when the benevolent principle of Ahimsa or non-violence will be ascribed for practice by the and Justice (1964)
people of the world to achieve their end of life in this world and beyond. Jainism is sure to have the Martin Luther King's
uppermost status and Lord Mahavira is sure to be respected as the greatest authority on Ahimsa”. Nobel Lecture,
The use of violence to resolve an issue is never too distant from most spheres of everyday life.
Indians across the world take pride in the a country that has given the world “ahimsa” and yoga to
also be at peace with itself. Indian Culture which is to be all about Non-Violence, so why people are
witnessing more eruption of violent in recent years that was not observed for decades at this scale?
Perhaps, a new prevailing culture that seems embodied within the new political ideology of Hindutva,
as it has been promoted, represents an opposite view point to nonviolence; regarding the Gandhian
ideas it as a weakness greater than strength!
Equality

he concept of equality is not a new one. Gandhiji’s idea of society was that while we are born equal, “India, like America,
Tmeaning that we have a right to equal opportunities, not all have the same capacity. This is where is proud of its ancient
traditions to secure
the secular ideology tells us that where every citizen is treated respectably, irrespective of caste, a future according to
colour and creed, and even the weakest citizen of the country gets justice. If we equate this attitude Gandhi’s teaching and
with Ram Rajya, it would compare with how Lord Ram’s Rajya actually was! For the purpose of Nehru’s vision of India
as a secular democracy
political dispensation the secular philosophy as a doctrine has little to do with religion and its cultural where respect for
values suggests that religion should have no place in civil affairs. It does not mean any disrespect for pluralism and human
religious faiths, but regards each with equal respect rather than provide exclusivity for any one of rights safeguard every
them. One of the most pertinent relevancy of the concept of modern battle for equality is about equal individual.”
right to access to power and then derives the need for fair and just society to all. But more so about US House Majority Lead-
nature of economic impact and benefits a system promotes. Embracing diversity and to facilitate er, Congressman Steny
redress in tackling disparities has become centre to promoting the concept of equality. There is much Hoyer, while welcoming
more closeness between secular and democratic socialism- not including socialism that dominated Prime Minister Modi at
by one party government. The state of being secular have been seen as the key fundamentals for a the event in September
2019 invoked Mahatma
true democracy. “Therefore, presumably Gandhiji might have faced furry from those committed to Gandhi his speech.
Hindutva and advocated India to be a Hindu Rastra.”
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2nd October 2020 Gandhi Birth Anniversary Published by Gujarat Publications Ltd