ON GANDHI JAYANTI

ON GANDHI JAYANTI

Today, the 2^nd of October, we celebrate yet another birth anniversary of the apostle of “non-violence” and our “FATHER OF THE NATION” or BAPU as he is so aptly called.

I’d rather not emphasize on the exact count of say, the ‘Xth’ anniversary that we are celebrating because for an immortal like BAPU, the number remains immaterial. His sanctity has stood the test of time and his influence shall prevail till eternity.

However, this year, the gung ho about Gandhi-ism or “GANDHIGIRI” as it is popularly referred is more profound than in the recent past. To some extent, we have had a vicarious experience of the “MAHATMA”, courtesy, Mr. Anna Hazare; who, undoubtedly is seen as the present generation Gandhi.

Just when the despondent masses were about to give up in total despair, Mr. Hazare stood out as an aberration in the times on uncontrollable corruption and utter dishonesty.His smiling face masqueraded the unquenchable thirst to bring about a radical change in the society. Assisted by learned patriots like Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and others; Mr. Hazare took upon himself the duty to unveil the dubious face of the government and peacefully retaliate against exploitation and national larceny.

The RAMLILA FAST by Mr. Hazare was backed unanimously nationwide and portrayed the same indignation as we had once witnessed under Gandhiji. It also compelled us to believe that the present government is as despicable as the British Raj and hence it called for national integration yet again.

All this commotion not only forced the government to take peremptory measures to mitigate public anger, but also proved once again the undisputed efficiency of the way of the MAHATMA, the way of “AHIMSA”.

The appearance in physicality might have transmuted with time, from Bapu to Mr. Hazare, but the stupendous panache of both the leaders are very much the same.

The magnanimity of Mr. Hazare too is akin to that of Bapu and can be vindicated by the fact that even after several sacrilegious attempts to smear Mr. Hazare’s image with baseless imputations the peaceful leader faced them with dignity and maintained a cool demeanour sans retaliation.

Today, if we really want to pay a tribute to our revered BAPU and sincerely thank him for all his sacrifices, we need to effusively take a stand and let go of the impetuous attitude that has shackled our minds. We all need to give a thought to: every thought that crosses our mind, to every word we speak and to every action we take.

I thank Mr. Hazare for rekindling the dormant spark of GANDHIGIRI that resides not only in my but also in many other millions of Indians, who, now understand, in a much better way the ideology of Gandhiji and his contribution to our nation. Most importantly, we now understand that we can live our Bapu’s dream and discover the hidden Gandhi in each and every one of us.

At this juncture, I’d like to quote BAPU’ words that hit the Bull’s Eye in this context-

“BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!”

(This goes out for every Indian who grumbles under his breath daily for the unscrupulous state of affairs in the country today.)

“THERE IS ENOUGH FOR EVERY MAN’S NEED BUT NOT FOR ANY MAN’S GREED.”

(This goes out for all those fat bellied bullies who abuse the very meaning of democracy and pauperize their own motherland because they are blinded by their own selfishness.)