It is said great minds talk about ideas and not individuals or incidents. Gandhiji was one such person whose ideas continue to guide us in moments of despair. The nation will be commemorating his birthday on second of October- we should draw inspiration from this unfathomable man who freed us from schackles of slavery in a novel, unheard of manner. The author submits some examples and his thoughts on his relevance even today.

Boko Haram

The shameful act of abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria appears to be forgotten by all world leaders. Is this a civilized world? Is it not darker than what we call the dark age in history? All the world leaders should hang their heads in shame for their inability to find a solution (did they even try anything except for routine diplomatic murmurings). Of what use is all the scientific and military might of all the countries if they are unwilling or incapable of even locating these innocent girls!

Hope is still there- Gandhiji’s thoughts who passed away sixty-six years back is likely to be used for resolving this crisis.

It is reported that Mrs Aisha Wakil, one of the mediators happened to visit Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and after going through some books of Gandhiji is planning to approach the abductors in the Gandhian way.

Twelve thousand people have lost their lives in the past five years due to insurgency of this group in Nigeria. Gandhian approach is expected to change their hearts.

Hope Mrs Wakil meets with some success.

Patna Experiment

Cops in Patna have been recently approaching traffic violators and hawkers encroaching upon the main roads in a novel way. Instead of fining these violators, they now shake hands with them and make them promise that they would not violate the rules. They have hit upon this idea to “hit their mind and heart”. Here the idea is that when violators, when especially accompanied by family members are accosted in such a manner they feel embarrassed.

One hopes the Patna experiments’ effectiveness is properly assessed and replicated elsewhere.

Influence Abroad

Several countries have benefitted from Gandhian thoughts. Mr Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Dr Martin Luther King Jr of USA were two leaders who derived inspiration from teachings of Gandhiji and brought to end sufferings for millions of their countrymen. Both these gentlemen practised Gandhiji’s non-violence technique successfully. They are also recipients of Nobel prize for peace.

In the words of Dr King-“From Gandhi, I learned my operational technique”. Gandhiji had a colossus influence which is visible even today.

Respecting Gandhi ?

The media is playing a very negative role by highlighting immature, demeaning comments of attentiongrabbers’ on Gandhiji. Jokes on Gandhiji in the name of Gandhigiri are doing rounds in the Net. Media owners should not be so greedy as to derive readership and revenue by promoting such activities.

Nirmala Deshpande, a Gandhian is on record having rightly said “Gandhi is so great that such pygmies who try to ridicule him will fail”. Here it may be pertinent to note that this eminent Gandhian has been recognised in Pakistan and awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s esteemed civilian award.

Today we have conflicts / turmoil in Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan as well as uneasy relations of India-China, China-Japan, India-Pakistan, China-Vietnam and several other areas of the world.

Could Gandhian thought be the way to make this world a safe place for the coming generations? The world leaders should think about this and India could take a lead by spreading awareness about his thoughts.

We owe it to the great man that he be respected in the country and spread his message.