In the name of the father …
Born way back in 1869, you might be forgiven for thinking that mohandas karamchand gandhi, at 137, has lost all relevance in todayâs day and age. but gandhigiri – the new addition to youngstersâ vocabulary – is fast proving that the opposite may just be true. manisha dhingra compiles a snapshot of popular opinions on gandhigiri from all across the mahatmaâs motherland
Love it or hate it, thereâs absolutely no escaping this whole new wave of Gandhigiri thatâs taken over the nation.Whether in the form of a debate or discussion, criticism or comments, the Father of the Nation is truly out of his privileged niche on our currency notes and well into our lives.Most affected are youngsters – in college campuses and corporate offices, trains and buses, and, of course, those flocking to the theatres to experience first-hand the hilarious yet though-provoking effects of Bapuâs techniques.Education Times spoke to a cross-section of youngsters from all over the country to gauge the magnitude of the earthquake that is Gandhigiriâ¦
DHRUVIKA VADIWALA, SECOND YEAR PGeMBA STUDENT, MUMBAIâS MET INSTITUTE
âGandhigiri has made a huge difference by giving me a new perspective.Of course, you canât expect a movie to change your life.But, we are increasingly living a stressful life where we constantly look for ways to escape trouble and put the blame on others.Yet, Gandhigiri advocates that you can do good and still remain practical.There are so many interesting sides to the story.For example, the way you talk to someone of lower status than yourself does show your character.Also, itâs true that patience does pay off.
Do I think that practicing Gandhigiri in my life will change the world? Well, how do you know it wonât? After all, truth, patience and non-violence have worked in the past.Even if five people do good for another five due to this film, it will be worth it.
Besides, itâs not like we have to learn Gandhigiri.Gandhi is in each of us.We just have to find him.So itâs a very timely movie.Anyway, we watch a lot of meaningless stuff which makes you think why the youth are opting to watch this âcleanâmovie.
If you ignore someoneâs meanness, that person will lose the drive to harass you.While you canât do exactly what Gandhi did, you can take the lead as a lot of people believe in it but no one practises it.If I see a tired lady standing in the train, I give her my seat, as I know she has to go home and cook while I may just go to sleep.It will make her feel happy and happiness is contagious.It will surely be passed on.
In fact, even the rowdy guys in my class returned from the movie saying âGandhi rocks!âAnd look at the irony that an accused person is advocating Gandhigiri.Finally, even if the movie was totally over-the-top and full of masala,then why did all of us smile with the old guy when he finally got his pension?â
PRERNA MAHADIK, FIRST YEAR MA STUDENT OF FRENCH LITERATURE, MUMBAI UNIVERSITY
âI donât think Gandhigiri is âcoolâ. In fact, I bought the ticket for the movie itself in black! So there goes âhonestyâ. Itâs an entertaining movie thatâs fun to see but the ideas are a fad that will soon die out. Itâs just that the âGandhiâconcept is weaved in with a love story and so people are raving about the film. Itâs a nice movie but would people still have gone to see it had it only been about Gandhi? But yes, I do know someone who was impressed with the idea – it was Gunjan Sharma, Mumbai spokesperson for âYouth For Equalityâ- and that too only because he is fighting the system, so it appeals to him.â
HANSRAJ KHEMANI, CLASS TEN STUDENT, WEES SCHOOL, THANE
âThese days, there is no place for such things as truth, non-violence, etc in real life.Gandhigiri will not have any impact if you try solving practical problems with it. A movie is very different from real life. Though yes, I do think the word (Gandhigiri) itself is quite cool.But whoever tries tricks such as undressing to avoid paying a bribe, etc, will simply get beaten up.After all, people will think you are mad and will shoo you away.No one has the time for gimmicks and they canât have any impact.â
(Hansrajâs sister Sangeeta, however, brings out another facet: I see his friends and peers use the word Gandhigiri quite a bit.Itâs actually the connection with Sunjay Duttâs image as the bhai.So yes, the movie has made the youth consider Gandhi as âcoolâ.Also, itâs a new fad – just like his principles were âen vogueâso many years ago when they were first introduced during the freedom struggle. However, what was cool then can never be the same now.â
ARJUN PARAMESHWARAN, THIRD YEAR LAW STUDENT, GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE, MUMBAI
âI have come across the term Gandhigiri in the papers. I think Gandhigiri can be followed today. However, to follow such principles is difficult – and not just in todayâs day and age. I think it was much harder to follow such principles even in the last decade, for example. I think the use of force comes naturally to a lot of people. As an individual, I try to follow Gandhian principles because I believe in them. My experience in a law college is quite unique because there is no ragging here. Classmates are keener on making their point through words and statements. But, outside college, I donât think people follow Gandhigiri. I have just read Gandhiâs autobiography âMy Experiments with Truthâ and it influenced me deeply. His principles need to be made fashionable.â IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER …
ANITA PRASAD, SECOND YEAR MA STUDENT OF SYCHOLOGY, MUMBAIâS SNDT UNIVERSITY
âI am familiar with the concept of Gandhigiri and I do try to follow Gandhigiri in my own small way. When I have a difference of opinion, I donât argue but put my point across as patiently as possible. Yes, I do tend to raise my voice if the other person becomes too argumentative but I am working towards eliminating that. I try not to get angry with other people. If I see people throwing garbage while travelling in the train or bus, I try explaining to them very politely about how that is not a âdoneâ thing. Ideally, I would love it if more people start to follow these principles but I donât believe they will be truly effective if only 50 per cent of the people follow them.â
FIROZA ENGINEER, TEACHES DIPLOMA COURSES IN UNIVERSITIES IN MUMBAI
âI feel that Gandhigiri is practical to a certain extent. Sometimes, certain things like indiscipline can be won over by principles. For example, when people spit on the street, one can shame them into not doing so. But, in the case of the US-Iraq war, for instance, I donât see how Gandhigiri is going to work. I think that the principles of Satyagraha should be explained to get the idea across. To be honest, in all my 23 years, I have tried very hard to practice these principles myself. A couple of things I follow wholeheartedly are truth and patience, which was probably why I even connected with the movie âMunnabhaiâ¦â It is very rare for me to get impatient. If only people followed Gandhigiri, the world would be a better place to live in!â
– As told to Sruthi Gottipati
(sruthi.gottipati@timesgroup.com)
AJIT PHADNIS, SECOND YEAR PGP STUDENT, IIM BANGALORE
âGandhigiri symbolises respect for the individual. Fight the issue but show tolerance for the person on the other side!
The principles of Gandhigiri are relevant in even small instances of our lives. As the student representative of the hostel, tired of repeated reminders for over two months to a certain Mr X for non-completion of maintenance work in the hostel, I drafted a mail which I intended to send to 50 affected students of the hostel. The important points of the mail I wanted to send to the students were:âInaction for more than two months is too much for us to accept and we need to make sure that our work is not taken for granted. I am confident that what I was not able to achieve alone can be achieved by all of us together. I propose one course of actionâ¦I urge all of you to give Mr X a call once to âremindâ him of the need to repair these machines. I am setting a few guidelines for us below: We will not use any foul language; We will not raise our voices; We will call him only during his working hours.â
This meant 50 âgentleâ reminders in one day to Mr X for the maintenance work to be completed! Well, I didnât quite need to send this to students. On showing the draft of the mail itself, the concerned officials got on to the work and completed the job working over the weekend in less than 48 hours!â
SANJAY KUMAR, SECOND YEAR PGP STUDENT, IIM BANGALORE
âGandhiji always preached about practicing truth. In the movie, Gandhiji suggests to Munnabhai to tell Jhanvi that he lied to her. This is a very important learning. Acceptance of truth or reality solves a lot of problems. Denial of truth and reality leads to a lot of negative energy.
Acceptance of truth gives the confidence to face it. So, accept the truth and take responsibility. Gandhiji also believed in winning over people with goodness and positive actions. Most human beings are good at heart. Different people may take different amounts of time but sooner or later, people do realise what is correct. The important point here is to allow people to take their time to understand what is correct without getting frustrated. People should join hands in giving strength to each other in their individual tryst against falsehood. Goodness multiplies with any individual good deed. So, keep playing your part!â
SIDHARTH CHAUHAN, FOURTH YEAR BA LLB (HONS) STUDENT, NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF INDIA UNIVERSITY (NLSIU), BANGALORE
âItâs often argued that Gandhian ideals such as non-violence and decentralised models of governance only hold academic relevance in contemporary India. My take is that, even if they are stressed enough by way of academic discourse, they will permeate into social behaviour at some level or the other.
In the context of the present debates about the nature of development adopted in our governmental policy, there are several divisive issues such as isplacement, exclusion and conflict between caste and religious groups. In such areas, Gandhi’s life is an example of how to confront wrongful exercise of power with morally upright behaviour which privileges reasoned discussion over continuing conflict.
As an office-bearer of the student body in my University, Iâve been involved in organising many events and making representations about several campusspecific issues to the authorities in my university. Sometimes, the working environment becomes tough with confrontational approaches being taken by the respective parties. I too have been guilty of being overly aggressive in situations where some patient and polite discussions could have solved the problems. Iâm trying to make a conscious effort towards advocating honest and fair discussion as the key tool towards working with other people – whether they be my fellow students or the University authorities.â
VISHAK ABRAHAM, FOURTH YEAR BA LLB (HONS) STUDENT AT NLSIU, BANGALORE
âI think Gandhian philosophy is somewhat out of place in the present understanding of politics and social change. However, his invocation of âSatyamev Jayateâ has also been my motto in life.This means that one must convey the truth about situations even when it may appear to offend others. I never try to conceal my opinions about other people and their behaviour.
If we have to work for positive changes, then we must learn to accept and live with the harsh truths that surround us – whether they be in the context of oneâs family, workplace, community, or even country.This unflinching respect for truth ties in with the purest idea of âfree speechâ that recognises the value of honest and frank criticism in the evolution of societies as well as political institutions.â
– As told to Mathang Seshagiri
(mathang.seshagiri@timesgroup.com
MEGHA MATHUR FINAL YEAR STUDENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING, JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY, DELHI
âI havenât seen Gandhigiri prevailing in our campus; here, power is the only ârightâ you look for. But, in my friend circle, I do find Gandhian values prevailing in some peopleâs lives.
For instance, helping an old or physically challenged person cross the road or helping the poor by giving them food and clothes.â
RITIKA SINGH FINAL YEAR STUDENT, BACHELORâS OF MASS MEDIA AND MASS COMMUNICATION COURSE, IP COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, DELHI UNIVERSITY
âI think Gandhijiâs values were always alive, but it is now that we have started relating his values to ourselves. The foremost example is the âYouth For Equalityâ forum, which demonstrated its power while protesting for reservations. Tolerating injustice is a crime and we, the general category students, need to come out on the streets for agitating against injustice. But, all this can happen only if we are united. And Gandhiji always used to talk about unity while fighting for a good cause. Earlier, our class representative used to take our request or complaint forward to the institutionâs head, but ever since we saw the movie, the whole class follows him and we fight for our rights together. So, I believe there is a little bit of Gandhigiri in every youth’s life today.â
– As told to Pallavee Dhaundiyal
Panthry
(pallavee.panthry@ timesgroup.com)
AYUSHI SINGH FIRST YEAR BCOM STUDENT, LUCKNOW UNIVERSITY
âGandhigiri has influenced me immensely. âLage Raho Munnabhaiâ marks the return of Gandhi to mass consciousness. We loved the movie because, as average Indians, we still believe in honesty and positivity. Watching the movie was fun but deep down, it set me thinking about the way we deal with situations everyday. We have lost our patience and want returns immediately. We want our way even at the cost of othersâ inconvenience. Munna and Circuitâs dadagiri is symbolic of our lost innocence.
Gandhijiâs ideals and principles may not be very practical today but I think it can be considered an option to deal with things in a system where nothing seems to work. My outlook has changed so much that even when I lose my cool, I think twice before reacting. After all, what harm does it do to stall a sudden outburst? In fact, I believe that even if ten per cent of people practice Gandhigiri, it will be a better world to live in.â
– As told to Priya Saxena
SHAHNAWAZ KHAN, THIRD YEAR BCOM STUDENT, LUCKNOW UNIVERSITY
âOur generation seems unaffected by Gandhiwad or, in the words of Munnabhai, Gandhigiri. The movie was just another Bollywood flick which people enjoyed. But, to consider it a new chapter in the reform of society can be a huge mistake. Itâs true that Gandhiâs principles won us our freedom but that era was completely different from what we are in today. No doubt such movies affect you to a large extent, giving rise to a feeling of sacrifice in the minds of many, but it is momentary. A few days pass by and everybody forgets what they have seen or heard. âLage Raho…â too will be considered great in cinematic history due to the superb comic timing between Circuit and Munnabhai. Nothing more than that.â
– As told to Supriya Singh
VIJAY PRASHAR, KING GEORGEâS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY (KGMU)
âNo, Gandhigiri has not impacted me. The techniques and concepts of Gandhigiri are quite archaic and unsuitable for today’s hitech and fast-moving world. Thereâs a wide gulf between the temperament of people in the 30s and 40s and the people of the 21st century.
The era in which we are living is haracterised by globalisation, where quick responses are elicited and speedy decisions are made and the pace at which Gandhigiri moves is, to a certain extent, unsatisfactory. Now, cut-throat competition thrives where
one finds his way by pushing and no one has time to send flowers and get demands fulfilled. This way, only the sales of florists will shoot up; nothing will be accomplished. In today’s world, we ourselves can be good but cannot expect the same from others as well.â
HENA REHMAN, KGMU
âGandhigiri does not only mean satya and ahimsa but also vinamrata or politeness. Its success depends on the reaction of the person on whom it is being practiced. I am influenced by it and practice it in my daily life by controlling my anger about petty issues, and by demanding things in a courteous manner. I am glad someone made an earnest effort towards reviving it.â
————————