Notebook: Remembering Gandhi’s Anniversary without forgetting him

        The man who needs no introduction. The man who is known as ‘Rashtrapita’ who fought for India’s freedom without arms & ammunition, was none, but Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi Museum in Patna. (Pic by R. Suresh Bhardwaj) 

       He took ‘Satyagrah’, a conjugation of truth and non-violence, as a mean of power. He not only succeeded in India but also in South Africa.

       It is his works that inspire everyone, even government to recognise his valour against the cruel tyranny of the Britishers. The Indian Government incepted publishing his smiling face on currencies, named many governmental polices after him, and gave his iconic eyeglasses a watermark to the ambitious ‘Swachcha Bharat Mission’.

         It is his personality that made him powerful even after 75 years of India’s Independence. His thought has been blowing like air in the humans’ ambience, that can’t be ignored. Although it is omnipresent, but tough to be lived. 

         In street talk, ‘Majboori Ka Nam Mahatma Gandhi’ is popular among people who are not mature and unaware of his works. It is done because his thought is, in my opinion, somewhat, a matter of age. With the growing age of men, he becomes relevant. 

         His birth anniversary is observed on October 2  every year. Indian Government declared his birthdate a national holiday like Republic and Independence Day, which proves his importance.

        This day describes his potency, thought, philosophy and approaches to live symbiotically. His birthdate is popular as ‘Gandhi Jayanti’, and ‘International Day of Non-Violence.’ Truth with non-violence were the ‘mul-mantra’ of his strategy when he was struggling for independent India. He explained the spiritual power of these that curate the core of all powers.

        But, it is shocking to listen that in recent years, people decorated the Durga Puja Pandal in Kolkata's Ruby Park allegedly designing the ‘Asura’ as Mahatma Gandhi. Many times, Hindu Mahasabha supporters have been defaming his recognition. But, there is no answers of ‘why’ even in the book ‘Why I Killed Gandhi?’ by Hindu Nationalist Nathuram Godse. (Also read - Gandhi Godse - Ek Yuddh : Conversation between assassinated and assassinator )

         No doubt, those who try to defame Gandhi are fringe elements of society. By their mischievous attempts, Gandhi becomes powerful, more powerful! They have no idea that he is beyond the politics. 

        His means start when politics ends. His view on Means-Ends duo is an example which states that means should be good, end will be automatically good! He actually defines the ethical power of politics that works in many cases. 

        Let’s remember him on his birth anniversary, keeping in minds his actions against all suppositions, that proved the spiritual power of Truth and Non-violence. He bid adieu for the heavenly abode, practising his philosophy until his death.