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August 14, 2020

Essay - Relevance of Gandhian Principles in Today's Time

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Relevance of Gandhian Principles in Today's Time

Overview
  • Gandhian principles; non-violence, self sufficiency, communal harmony, simple living and truth. 
  • Relevance of Gandhian principles in today's world.
  • Relevance of these principles to tackle present day problems such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment etc. 
  • Gandhian principles helps in to reshape the lost morality, regain humanity etc.
Gandhian principles or value system is something that stirred the entire India at one point of time. It ignited a revolution, that took the whole of nation in its stride and lasted till we were able to force the Britishers to leave India. This value system gave the nation the principles of truth, non-violence, satyagrah which paved way to people's heart. We are still awed by the uniqueness of Gandhiji's principled approach. He endorsed simple living and high thinking while practising.

Gandhiji preached 'truth' or `satya' which made us not to withstand a lie. He preached `Satyagrah' and in fact rallied a desperate mass of people with him all over the country. This helped the British empire to think about leaving India. This methodology appealed to the conscience of mankind and was based on the assumption that peaceful protests are a very powerful tool.


If the question is asked whether Gandhian principles are relevant even today? The answer is yes, to some extent they are relevant and are followed not only in India but also by many leaders all over the world. In Indian context, principle of Satyagrah still holds good. Example is Jessica Lal's case. Through peaceful protest in the form of candle march almost all over the country justice was delivered. Even India's foreign policy is based on peaceful co-existence and it is reflected in not indulging in aggression first though India remains prepared as the security threats accumulate.

We must remember that Gandhiji was a strategist, a genius and he moulded his movement according to the situation. He could visualise the mood of the nation and strategically took each step in a well defined way. So our politicians can learn a lot about strategisation from Gandhiji.

So, there is need to understand that same set of principles are very much relevant. Just that they have to be moulded according to the present times and its requirements. 

Gandhiji's views about sanitation or decentralisation of power or women empowerment or need for basic education for all, every views holds good and is followed presently. Make in India is nothing but self-sufficiency as emphasised by Gandhiji. Individuality and economic independence were two things very close to Gandhiji's heart. Present trends indicate the best times when both these are at their prime.

Women empowerment was one of Gandhiji's main goals. Today Indian women are forerunners in about every field. Today Indian women have international presence whether it is space or sports. Gandhiji's dream of creating a global India, a country which encompasses technical and intellectual advancements and maintain its identity is blooming true day by day. Today be it IT, medicine or research, India is upgrading its skill to remain in limelight. Indian brains are sought after everywhere.

Gandhiji forever believed that there is no better teacher than life itself He maintained that no child can be forced to study but should find the inclination to do so, education today is based on these ideas only. Environmental consciousness, moral values, intra-personal skills, community and society oriented awareness are all inculcated in young minds through education.

Even outside India, Gandhian principles hold relevance and are followed by eminent leaders. The phenomenal success, Gandhiji registered in far away South-Africa fighting for human rights and civil liberties has great significance and later his teachings were adopted by Nelson Mandela, the great South African freedom fighter. Dr Martin Luther King was very much inspired by Gandhian principles.

There is great resonance of the historic salt march at Dandi with the courageous Montgomery Bus Boycott against racial segregation in United States. Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese leader learnt from Gandhiji that for a doctrine of peace and reconciliation to be translated into practice, one absolute condition needed is fearlessness. Aung San followed this and it was the secret of her success amid all the darkness and loneliness against a brutal and hostile regime. Even present US President Barack Obama sees Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration. 

Gandhiji is alive and active in the modern world, his teaching followed by social and religious leaders, American human rights activist or Palestinian leader, Mubarak Awad who believes in non-violence. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist leader lays emphasis on Gandhian principles when he says, "I think we may fail in our attempt to do things, yet we may succeed in correct action when the action is authentically non-violent, based on understanding, based on love.

To conclude we can say that most of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi hold relevance even in today's world. The path shown or followed by Gandhiji at that time still remains a very valid one if somebody chooses to tread on it. In today's scenario, 'Eye for an Eye' is no solution as it only aggravates the situation. Peaceful coexistence, economic independence, respect for women, child centred education and basic education for every one, universal brotherhood-all these principles should serve as a beacon of light to guide humanity to a better world.

Gandhian ways and his ideals seem to be the only solution to overcome the present ever growing problem of terrorism which is leading the world to a doomsday.

Gandhiji was leader of the past runs into the present and marches towards the future. He had always been a leader of the time ahead. No leader either today nor in future can match him with the charisma and calibre and wisdom that he had.

Difficult Words with Meanings :
  • Stirred to be active
  • Ignited to give energy to (something or someone)
  • Endorsed to support or approve
  • Desperate feeling or showing despair
  • Accumulate to increase gradually in amount as time passes
  • Segregation the policy of keeping people of different races, religions etc separate from each other
  • Doomsday the day the world ends or is destroyed
  • Charisma a special magnetic charm or appeal
shared by Nisheeta Mirchandani

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