Page 197 - BEATS Secondary school

Debate on Relevance of Gandhi’s

Philosophy in Today’s time For the

Motion

- Krutica Aggarwal, MYP 3

The principles of Mahatma Gandhi inspired the entire nation at one
point in time. It was a value system that was followed by the masses,
and helped India through its stages of revolution against the British.
His principles of honesty, integrity, self-sustainability and non-
violence paved a way into people’s hearts.
The question is if these principles are still relevant ? The answer is
yes, to an extent these principles do still hold meaning in today’s
world.

Gandhi preached ‘ahimsa’ or non-violence: the use of peaceful
means, not force, to bring about political or social changes. Today,
eye for an eye only aggravates the situation. However, there are
situations in which a person cannot hold back and needs to take
action.
He also preached honesty or satyagraha, and urged us not to
withstand lies. This is quite pertinent as today, liars are not accepted
as they cannot be trusted. However, professions like marketing
or business are supported by lies. Businessmen or a marketing
professional cannot always say the truth to sell his product.

He taught ‘swawlambi’ or self-sufficiency
pertaining to Indian manufactured goods
is a valid teaching of Gandhiji. This is now
emphasized by Modi and is called "Make in
India", an initiative which will bode well for
India.
Gandhi’s set of principles are applicable
to one and all, however, they need to
be practiced according to the present
times.