It is a fact that the Indian freedom struggle and the ideas of Gandhiji, the main architect of this struggle, continue to inspire people all over the world. This is a testament to India’s unique place in the free world as a diverse and populous but undeniably robust democracy. The ideals of Gandhiji contribute to India’s soft power in the same way that yoga or Indian classical music do. Today, 72 years after a fanatic assassinated the father of our nation, #MahatmaGandhi still becomes a global trend on social media on 30th January 2020.
At a time when violence was thought to be the only answer to violence, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi gave the world a unique new option – nonviolent resistance. Though this revolutionary idea crores of individual Indians empowered themselves to come together and rise up against oppressive colonial occupation.
Gandhiji’s messages are simple and universal. They reverberated with people all over the world then and continue to do so today.
In an India starkly divided by caste; occupation being strictly assigned by one’s birth, Gandhi introduced the concept of dignity of labour; of taking pride in whatever job one did. This simple message worked to try and dismantle caste hegemony in India.
Through his unique leadership of the Indian freedom struggle, Gandhi captured the moral high ground by using nonviolent means such as non-cooperation and civil disobedience. The violent British oppressors could validly crush violent uprisings; however, they didn’t know quite how to respond to the provocation of nonviolence.
Gandhiji’s was a loving and inclusive world view. For him, religious tolerance and equality was a fundamental tenet; just like the idea of a dizzyingly diverse but resolutely democratic India.
Gandhiji celebrated all that was beautiful about India but also had the honesty to acknowledge social evils such as the oppressive caste system. He believed that if a person wants to bring about change, they have to make a start at their own individual level to bring about that change.
Simplicity and the rejection of greed for material possessions are central to the Gandhian way of life. The spiritual seeking of a simpler, more loving way of life continues to show the way to millions today.
The film made by Richard Attenborough, an Englishman about Gandhi had won eight Oscars in the USA. In his acceptance speech, Attenborough gives us some details about a truly remarkable life.
Our present actions will determine our future, said Gandhiji. And that is why we have to take responsibility for our actions, our words and even our beliefs – for what is today, will become tomorrow.
No matter how many people are killed, no matter how many voices repressed, ideas will live on. One fanatic killed a frail body 72 years ago, but the ideas that the incredibly strong and resolute mind propounded are impossible to kill – the ideas of #MahatmaGandhi are ‘amar’ – they will live forever.
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