What is the significance of Gandhian philosophy in contemporary India? Prepare an essay
Answers
The policy of non-violence gave people a way to fight for freedom without being subject to violence. His simple living and high thinking made him fondly called as Bapu. Gandhian principles help to reshape the lost morality, regain humanity, etc.
Answer:
Human society is fast changing. With rapid developments in scientific knowledge and wider information at our disposal, the quality of life for every individual is expected to get better. Sadly, we still struggle with innumerable problems at social, economical, cultural, and political levels. As the global efforts struggle to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, India has a single point of reference to solve its plethora of problems – the father of our Nation.
Even as years roll by, the Gandhian principles remain evergreen and hold power to enlighten the entire world. His simple life, rich values, and enriching wisdom made him uproot the mighty British Empire. On pillars of truth and non-violence, he offers solutions, through his different principles, on issues of society, economy, politics, and human substance.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind: Gandhiji built his movement of Satyagraha on value premises of truth and non-violence. These proved to be the biggest arsenal to annihilate the empire. The use of brutal force on peaceful and unrelenting non-violent masses exposed the brutality and insensitivity of Britishers. The methodology appealed to the conscience. It is based on the assumption of the basic goodness of humanity.
In a nuclear-armed world of tanks and missiles, the relevance of these values can still not be questioned. They still form the tenants of Indian foreign policy and ‘ their reflection is found in our “no-first-use” clause in the nuclear arena. India believes in remaining prepared as the security challenges accumulate, but aggression fails to find support in our strategies in global interactions. Even on a personal level, being truthful is the most satisfying experience for a conscience-driven person and also ends up as most rewarding in the long run. ‘Satyamev Jayate’ was vindicated when tricolor unfurled in 1947 and brought a new dawn for the nation.
Gandhian Satyagraha proved effective not only due to ideology but also due to their timings. Gandhiji had a knack of sensing the mood of the nation. This connection to the masses emerged from his genuine concern to the pain of every individual – labor, farmer, worker, and students. In present-day society, apathy has become the biggest curse. We are losing sensitivity for fellow human beings by enveloping ourselves in tight schedules and work pressures.
This sensitivity in Gandhian philosophy for all living creatures. On his farms, he would himself attend to injured sheep or goat, even while busy with larger national issues. Humanity can offer no excuses for waiting. The world community must learn this simple Gandhian lesson to fight multiple problems of society. With little efforts and sympathy, we can improve the lives of animals and people around us, by understanding the “peer parai” and rising to the occasion. His successful mass-movements soon elevated him as the most followed mass-leader. In spite of his popularity, he remained grounded. ‘Simple living and high thinking’ was the adage he lived by, undertaking rigorous fasts and largely depending on fruits and nuts; he exemplified the way of living in harmony with nature. He believed in mother earth’s capacity but cautioned, “Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for their greed.’
As human society faces limits from a depleting quality and quantity of resources, ‘sustainable development’ has become the key mantra for rectifying our deeds. At the core of this concept is the Gandhian philosophy of ‘needs-based’ approach. The contemporary problems of food security with depleting soil quality and conservation of biodiversity could have been avoided had we followed the wisdom of Mahatma.
As a leader, Gandhiji respected everyone’s views but made firm decisions based on his vision. He advocated the basic philosophy of “Be the change that you want to see”, which continues to guide the present-day civil society. His message underlines a simple philosophy of valuing every individual and his efforts. This is where the global discourse of development has failed miserably. By advocating homogeneous prescriptions for growth and implanting models irrespective of ecological diversities, problems in every society have increased manifold.
Sanitation, security, literacy, or infrastructural development – all demand utilization of indigenous wisdom and traditional homegrown solutions. Gandhiji valued the wisdom at grassroots and encouraged the empowerment of the weakest. His idea of’village republics’ grows from this belief of cultivating self-sufficient villages through democratic decentralization.
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