GANDHI: A Spiritual Journey, book by M. V. Kamath
Indus Source Publishers – India – April 24, 2007
Indus Source Publishers, ISBN 10: 81-88569-11-9, ISBN 13: 978-81-88569-11-3, Paperback; 8.5 in. x 5.5 in., pp. 200; Rs. 195
Beginning with his childhood and early years in South Africa, Gandhi: A Spiritual Journey, explores the search for truth and the spiritual transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Influenced by western thought in his youth, Gandhi underwent a deep inner conflict that drew him to the study of comparative religion. His experiments with spiritual ideas, derived from a living faith in God, led him to propagate the principles of ahimsa and satyagraha. Gandhi was as much in politics as he was in search of God and the desire for God-realisation was the mainspring of all his actions, both political and social.
Could Gandhi have internalised his quest for God and still remained a leader of the masses? What is Gandhi’s spiritual legacy that continues to inspire so many leaders across cultures? Can Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence address the ills of today’s strife-torn world? This book examines Gandhi’s spiritual ideology and traces his life-long journey in quest of truth that led him to conclude that Truth is God.
About the Author:
M. V. Kamath, eminent writer, columnist and journalist, is the author of over 45 books. Born in 1921, he started his career in journalism in 1946. He was the correspondent at the United Nations for the Press Trust of India, and in Bonn, Paris and Washington for The Times of India. He was also editor of Free Press Journal, and later of The Illustrated Weekly of India. A prolific writer, Mr. Kamath is the author of numerous biographies and books, which include The Pursuit of Excellence, B. G. Kher: The Gentleman Premier, Sai Baba of Shirdi: A Unique Saint, and Nani A. Palkhivala: A life. In 2004, Mr. Kamath was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. He has been given a D.Lit. (Honris Causa) by Mangalore University in 2007. He has been chairman of Vigyan Prasar, a science organisation, and was responsible for the circulation of a 19-coach Vigyan Rail throughout the country over a period of ten months. He is currently chairman of Prasar Bharathi, and honorary director of the Manipal Institute of Communication. He lives in Manipal, Karnataka.
Gandhi, the statue, has competition
The Hindu – India – by Rasheed Kappan – April 23, 2007
BANGALORE: For decades, Gandhiji stood alone. Non-violently, yet majestically, as a symbol of all that the man on the M.G. Road internalised as “freedom.”
Chiselled for eternity, polished every jayanti, the father figure of the Mahatma stood like a statue. But he was more than a frozen figure trapped in stone. The green place around that figure had turned a protest junction.
Gandhi statue, the expression, always carried a suffix, an ironic twist of a phrase synonymous with fashion and commerce. M.G. Road was too distant from the Khadi, the glitz of the neon lights. Yet, Gandhiji ruled as the high street met its better half, the Kasturba Road.
In one corner, the Mahatma stood hovering above the peace marchers and the demonstrators who professed non-violence with slogans loud and deep.
But now, Gandhi, the statue, has competition. After years of neglect, the Gandhi statue near Anand Rao Circle wants to share the limelight. If the M.G. Road statue is booked, the protester will march to Anand Rao Circle, squat before the forgotten statue and raise his voice.
So what if it is next to a flyover. A Gandhi statue is a Gandhi statue. No questions asked.
Now, for some sculpted history. Former corporator Ashok B. Dani had a big problem. A Gandhinagar without a Gandhi memorial was hard to digest. It was his ward, and he had to take charge. So, he went ahead and installed a brand new statue. The memorial to the Mahatma had another address.
But Dani’s Gandhi statue triggered a debate. The position of the statue raised a “vaastu” storm in the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. Yet, Dani refused to budge. Eight years proved Dani right. The new statue is getting its share of limelight.
The Dalai Lama on the Value of Pilgrimages
Phayul.com – India – by The Dalai Lama – April 23, 2007
April 21, 2007 – Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, has long been a major object of pilgrimage. Even today, people from the farthest reaches of Tibet try to pay a visit at least once in their lives. Often they undertake the journey on foot, even barefoot. Some especially hardy pilgrims prostrate themselves, pressing their body full-length upon the ground along the entire length of their route. Once they reach the city, they often do not even stop to have a cup of tea until they have been to the Jokhang, the main cathedral, to pay their respects before the image of the Buddha, the Jowo Rinpoche.
Pilgrimages are a part of nearly every religion. The faithful set out in hopes of finding virtue and gaining merit. Among Buddhists, they visit places where a spiritual master once spent time meditating. His presence makes the place seem somehow blessed or charged, as if there is some kind of electricity around it. Pilgrims come to feel these mysterious vibrations. They try to share in the visions of the master. Along their road, they undertake hardship with no thought of material reward. Their every step, every movement, becomes filled with a sense of spiritual progress. Many intensify the sense of hardship along the way by going barefoot, or reciting prayers or mantras, and so increase the spiritual merit they gain.
We Buddhists believe that merit is accumulated when you take part in something religious, with discipline and faith, because in doing so you shape a proper attitude within. With the right attitude, any journey to a sacred place becomes a pilgrimage. In our tradition, the Buddha advised that in times to come people interested in his teachings should be told about the places associated with the major events of his life. His purpose was not to ensure the aggrandizement of the person of the Buddha, but rather the welfare of his followers. We believe that expressing respect and admiration for the qualities of the Buddhaby making offerings or undertaking a pilgrimagecontributes to our own spiritual progress.
There is a strong nomadic strain in the Tibetans, which lends itself to the rigors of pilgrimage. Our land itself is a source of spiritual inspiration, not only because of the profusion of temples and monasteries, but because we regard even the physical features of the land as sacred. Mount Kailash in western Tibet is especially famous. Buddhists revere it as the sacred location of the meditational deity Chakrasamvara. For Hindus, it is the abode of the deities Shiva and Parvati. Jains and Sikhs have their own special associations with it. Even for those without a specific faith, the mountains physical form and color make it a natural symbol of purity.
For Tibetans, India is also a holy land. It was the birthplace of the founder of Buddhist culture and the source of the wisdom brought to our mountains hundreds of years ago by Indian saints and seers. My first opportunity to pay my respects there came in 1956, when I was invited to attend celebrations of the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddhas birth. I was overjoyed. I was to have a chance to visit Bodhgaya, the place that, like every Buddhist, I associated with the highest achievements of the spiritual path, the Buddhas attainment of perfect enlightenment.
When I finally stood in the presence of the seat of enlightenment, I was profoundly moved. Reflecting on Shakyamuni Buddhas great accomplishment in this place, I also could not fail to remember his overwhelming kindness to all sentient beings. Not only did he achieve perfection himself, but also he revealed that each of us has the potential to do so, too. I believed then, as I do now, that the teachings of the Buddha could lead not only to inner peace in the lives of individuals, but also to peace between nations. At Bodhgaya, as at other Buddhist sites, I was also filled with admiration for the masterpieces of Indian religious art, expressions of creative genius and profound faith. I was reminded that sectarianism and communal conflict have in the past harmed this great heritage. Yet ultimately, Indias underlying spirit of tolerance and religious freedom has always restored peace and calm.
During that first visit to India, I also made a pilgrimage to Rajghat on the banks of the Yamuna River, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. It is a calm and beautiful spot and I felt very grateful to be there, the guest of a people who, like mine, had endured foreign domination. I was grateful, too, to be in the country that had adopted Ahimsa, the Mahatmas doctrine of nonviolence. As I stood praying, I experienced simultaneously great sadness at not being able to meet Gandhi in person and great joy at the magnificent example of his life. He was a man who put his belief in altruism and nonviolence above any personal considerations. I was convinced that his devotion to the cause of nonviolence was the only way to conduct politics.
Essentially, all religions teach us to discipline and transform ourselves so that we can achieve inner peace and a kind heart. Yet today, in different parts of the world, we see the flames of conflict being fanned in the name of religion. People take up arms in the name of religion only because they are too narrow-minded to grasp the true meaning of their respective faiths.
I firmly believe we can take steps to help nurture understanding and harmony among religions, and thus promote peace and security. One of the important ways of doing this is to encourage contacts among the faiths, perhaps by visiting others places of pilgrimage. If possible, they can pray together; if not, they can just sit in silent meditation. Pilgrimages like this are an immensely valuable and deep experience. On one occasion, for example, I visited Lourdes, in southern France, not as a tourist but as a pilgrim. I drank the holy water, stood in front of Marys statue and thought that here, in this place, millions of people find blessing or tranquility on this spot. As I looked at the statue of Mary, a deep feeling of admiration and appreciation for Christianity rose within me, simply because it provides so much benefit to millions of people. Christianity may have a different philosophy, but the practical value of the help and benefit it offers is quite clear.
It was in this spirit that, in 1993, I went to Jerusalem, a site holy to three of the worlds great religions. I went to the Wailing Wall with Jewish friends. I visited Christian places and prayed with Christian friends, and then I visited the Mount Rock, the holy place of our Muslim friends and prayed with them. I have also paid visits to various Hindu, Islamic, Jain and Sikh shrines and places holy to Zoroastrians both in India and abroad. Sometimes we prayed together and sometimes meditated together in silence.
More recently, I joined Christian and Buddhist leaders in a pilgrimage of prayers, meditation and dialogue at Bodhgaya. Each morning under the Bodhi Tree, we all sat together and meditated. Since the Buddha came more than 2,500 years ago, and since Jesus Christ came almost 2,000 years ago, I think that this was the first time such a meeting had taken place.
There is one place that I have long wished to visit, but my wish has yet to be fulfilled. The Five Peaked Mountain or Wu Tai Shan in China is renowned for its association with Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. My predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama, was able to pay his respects there and, since my first trip to China in 1954, I have cherished the hope that I might follow in his footsteps. At that time, the Chinese authorities deflected my request, saying that the roads were impassable. I am sure the route is clear today.
During the ongoing discussions we have had with Chinese authorities concerning Tibetan autonomy, my envoys have reiterated my wish to visit. There are many sacred places in China, a country where Buddhism long flourished. I would like to visit some of them. And at the same time, while I am there, I hope to be able to see for myself the changes and developments that have taken place in the Peoples Republic of China.
At Yerawada prison, it’s Gandhigiri of a different kind
Yahoo! India – India – April 25, 2007
NGOs conduct Gandhi Katha Kathan to instill values of universal brotherhood and non-violence in over 100 prisoners
IF it was Gandhigiri that took Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai to new heights of popularity, it is Gandhi Katha that is working on the minds of prisoners at Yerawada Central Prison. So much so that concepts like reformation, retribution and rehabilitation don’t seem so alien even to the toughest of criminals.
Two human rights groups in the city have come up with a unique way to instill Gandhian values amongst Yerawada’s prisoners. Human Rights and Law Defenders (HRLD) of the Sahyog Trust in collaboration with Association For India (AID) has conducted the first session of Gandhi Katha Kathan for over 100 prisoners at the open jail. The session was addressed by noted Gandhian Balasaheb Sarode on Monday afternoon. The objective is simple – inculcate life’s simplest virtues into prisoners and bring them back to mainstream life as reformed human beings.
An exam conducted by the Gujarat Vidyapeeth drew overwhelming response from the convicts and is said to have brought out positive insight among them. Some admitted that had they known of the Gandhian philosophy, they would have led different lives.
Programme co-ordinator Asim Sarode said the course was aimed at sensitising the criminalised mindset of prisoners by having them realise the genius of Gandhian principles such as ethics, universal brotherhood, non-violence, humility and the need to cultivate a culture of respect for every human being. “There are thousands of prisoners languishing in jails across the state. It is our endeavour to cater to all of them by well-designed training modules,” he said.
Prisoners will also get to learn about Gandhiji’s life, in that he never compromised on human principles and tried to bridge differences between human beings – a pre-requisite for a unified India.
Meanwhile, a training programme for the trainers themselves will be conducted at Gandhi Bhavan in Kothrud from May 24-30 by Narayan Desai, son of Mahatma Gandhi’s personal assistant Mahadevbhai Desai who had the opportunity to stay with Gandhiji.
But the NGOs don’t plan to limit this movement to prisons. “We intend to carry this programme to schools and colleges. Gandhiji is a role model for all times to come and for all age groups and has universal appeal,” Sarode said.
With Lage Raho … becoming something of a cult-classic, he couldn’t be more right.
Convicts become paralegals
The Human Rights and Law Defenders (HRLD) of Sahyog and Indian Institute of Para Legal studies (IIPLS) gave away course certificates to 25 life convicts on their successful completion of the seven-month course, the first initiative of its kind in training life convicts as paralegals.
The certificates were given away by Pune district judge Rekha Sondur Baldota at Yerawada Central Prison.
The function saw three life convicts express their satisfaction over completing the course. Paul Kripa Shankar said the course had given a new direction to his life. “I will conduct the same (course) for the new entrants,” he said.
YOUR TURN: Nonviolence can effectively change society
The Ball State Daily News Online – USA – by George Wolfe – April 24, 2007
I want to thank Joanna Lees for addressing student complacency and the topic of nonviolence in her column “Young adults too complacent” in the Friday edition of the Daily News. Her assertion though, that nonviolence only works if both parties are willing to participate, is incorrect and reflects an all too common misconception of the principles of nonviolence as developed by Adin Ballou, Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
Martin Luther King and his followers during the civil rights movement advocated strict adherence to nonviolence. Yet they were often seized upon by police with dogs and fire hoses. The “Freedom Riders” who intentionally violated the segregation laws at bus terminals had their busses bombed and burned. Black citizens were subject to lynching by the Ku Klux Klan, and several white activists were killed in drive-by shootings. Rosa Parks and others were jailed and King had his house fire-bombed. In the women’s suffrage movement, Alice Paul and other suffragists were arrested, persecuted and imprisoned in their efforts to secure the passage of the suffrage amendment.
And the British didn’t play by nonviolent rules either, particularly when General Reginald Dyer massacred over 400 innocent Indian civilians while wounding 1200 at Amritsar. Yet all three of these nonviolent movements succeeded in exposing social injustice so as to provoke reforms necessary to achieve their goals with far less loss of life than would have resulted from a violent revolution.
What people fail to realize is that nonviolence applied in the pursuit of social justice is not submission or complacency. Rather, it is a form of fighting. One chooses an issue the public will perceive as beyond compromise. Advocates then intentionally allow themselves to become a public victim of the injustice while seizing the “high moral ground,” refusing to engage in the unethical and violent. Through such activism, they create a groundswell of public support, setting in motion political mechanisms that bring about reform.
Are democracy and a free press necessary for nonviolence to be successful? Freedoms such as we have in the First Amendment are priceless, but successful nonviolent movements such as the Dutch Resistance Movement, which thwarted the Nazi round-up of Jews in the Netherlands, and the solidarity movement in communist Poland, show that nonviolence can work, even when confronted with dictatorial regimes.
Is nonviolence always successful? No, but neither is violence or military action always successful. Violence may succeed in forcing reform, but it rarely results in reconciliation and often sows the seeds for future violent conflict.
Are there personal risks in pursing strategies of nonviolence? Absolutely. The risks are great and can even result in death, but the willful commitment and sacrifice necessary to take those risks and endure the abuse to which one is subjected leads to tremendous growth in both personal character and spirituality.
Lees is correct when she writes that young adults are complacent. But I challenge everyone to discover those heroes who have used nonviolence, fighting against incredible odds to make our world a more just and moral place.
Where Peace Lives, book by Debbie Robins
Yahoo! – USA – April 26, 2007
LOS ANGELES, CA–(MARKET WIRE)–Apr 26, 2007 — Debbie Robins, acclaimed movie/TV producer and executive/corporate coach, will launch her first book, “Where Peace Lives,” (Cambridge House Press, ISBN: 0-9787213-7-3; Price: $19.95 hardcover), at a book signing on Sun., May 6, from 12 – 3 p.m. at Every Picture Tells a Story, 1311-C Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Calif. Renowned actress Dey Young (“Pretty Woman,” “Flicka,” “Red Eye,” “Boston Legal,” “The West Wing,” “Crossing Jordan”) will be reading a chapter from the book, directed by award-winning director/writer/editor Hubert de La Bouillerie (“Right To Remain Silent,” “Witches of Eastwick,” “Other People’s Money”). A portion of the sales of the book will go to City Hearts, a non-profit, arts-based program of prevention and critical intervention providing the most at-risk kids in the poorest neighborhoods with vital, quality arts education that enhances literacy, social and academic skills while building a sense of community (www.cityhearts.org) and Earth Rights Institute, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating a global culture of peace and justice (http://www.earthrights.net/).
Endorsed by such luminaries as Deepak Chopra, Gore Vidal, Arianna Huffington, Penny Marshall, Jane Seymour, bestselling author Debbie Ford and others, “Where Peace Lives” (www.WherePeaceLives.com) is a book of timeless wisdom for people of all ages. Library Journal described the book as “delightful” and stated that it will “attract a wide audience.”
“I wrote this book to heighten our world’s awareness that peace is a discipline, a choice — a muscle that needs strengthening. In my experience, peace is something we must study, learn and practice to ensure we choose peace when we are faced with challenging situations,” said Robins, who before becoming an author spent over 20 years in the entertainment industry, where she was president of Roland Joffe’s Warner Brothers company, Lightmotive, a producing partner with director John McTiernan and Donna Dubrow, a producing partner with director Penny Marshall, and a vice president at Disney. Robins explained that when she set out on a new path, earning her master’s degree in spiritual psychology from University of Santa Monica, she discovered she had a message of peace to share with the world, which became her first book.
Written in parable form, “Where Peace Lives” is a magical journey to free an angel named Peace who’s been locked in a box and can’t escape. Only the “Three Keys to Peace” will set the angel free. The book takes the reader on a dream-like journey through the worlds of peace and hatred. Along the way, our protagonist encounters the “Cube of Bitterness,” representing intolerance, judgment and blame, and meets colorful characters, (Luther the Bear, Mister Buddha, Mahma the ferret, Chris and Mo, Ah from the Land of La) whose peace teachings are inspired by the life/work of Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus Christ, Moses and Muhammad. Written in the vein of “The Little Prince” and beautifully illustrated, “Where Peace Lives” is destined to become a classic.
“We loaned early copies of ‘Where Peace Lives’ to hundreds of students and adults, and the response has been overwhelming,” exclaimed Robins. “People of all ages have shared with me the impact the book has had on their lives and their desire to make peaceful choices in the future. I chose Every Picture Tells a Story as the location for the official launch of ‘Where Peace Lives’ because the bookstore represents the finest in children’s literature and a commitment to empowering people of all ages to make the world a better place.”
“Peace Cookies” in the shape of keys (representing the Three Keys to Peace) are being provided for the book signing by Hail Mary, one of the youngest and most successful chefs in LA. Every young person can enjoy them at the book signing and take one home. Other refreshments will include IZZE Sparkling Juice, Liquid Salvation water and cocktails by Hpnotiq.
Every Picture Tells a Story is one of Los Angeles’ foremost cultural destinations. Considered the leading gallery dedicated to the art of illustration and children’s literature from authors/illustrators, owners Lee Cohen and Lois Sarkisian represent the works of Maurice Sendak, Garth Williams, Rosemary Wells, Chris Van Allsburg, Ralph Steadman and more. Some of the store’s collection has been part of a traveling exhibition that launched at The Museum of Tolerance. Celebrity customers have included Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Harrison Ford, Allison Janney, Drew Barrymore, Joel Silver, JJ Abrams, and many animators and producers like James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. For more information, visit www.everypicture.com.
Politics of Gujarat Vidyapith and search for Gandhian Chancellor
GujaratGlobal.com – India – April 26, 2007
Today when Gandhi has aroused a fresh interest in the people of India, Gujarat Vidyapith here is making a desperate search for a Gandhian to head the institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. From the developments it appears that there is no Gandhian left in India to be the Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith.
Vidyapith recently asked Gopalkirshna Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, to be the Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith. Initially he agreed, but later he turned down the offer. His stand is that he does not wear Khadi full time, while the rules of Vidyapith require that all staff and inmates must wear khadi and spin charkha. The post has fallen vacant since the death of Ravindra Varma.
The way the entire issue is projected in the media, not without tips from the 24 member Trustee mandal, it appears that it is almost impossible to find a Gandhian. No doubt, the chancellorship requires many other scholarly qualifications. The Vidyapith is an independent institution with budget of crores of rupees.
Interestingly, there are number of persons who fit into the criteria of qualification for Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith. In the trustee mandal of Gujarat Vidyapith there are at least half a dozen persons who can very well qualify for the post. There are at least three who are very outstanding and are well known even in the society.
These three candidates are ‘Magassasey award winner Ela Bhatt, renowned Gandhian and three time Member Parliament Prasanvadan Mehta and Dhirubhai Mehta. All these three candidates are among the 24 trustees of the Vidyapith. In the case of Ela Bhatt international recognition as early as 1977 and the brand equity of SEWA are the well known factors. They are trustees for three years.
Even among the permanent trustees Govind Rawal is a known candidate for the Chancellorship. At the time of the selection of Ravindra Varma, Rawal was in the hot race. However, a caucus working in the Vidyapith saw that Varma was appointed while Rawal in the US.
It is not that trustees have not been appointed Chancellor. Ramlal Parikh, Navinchandra Barot and Navalbhai Shah are the best examples in the recent time. They all were permanent trustees. Even otherwise as per the rule one is made a trustee if he is not to finalise the appointment.
Akshaye Khanna’s GANDHI MY FATHER Is stunning!
GlamSham.com – India – April 27, 2007
Producer-director Karan Johar had said almost a year back that parts of Anil Kapoors GANDHI MY FATHER, which he had an occasion to see, had moved him. It is a fact that the show reel stuns the viewers for many reasons.
For once, the pre-independence era has been recreated fabulously. Secondly, Akshaye Khannas performance seems to be of a very high order. The talented actor plays Mahatma Gandhis son in the film. Mahatma Gandhis character is essayed by another very talented actor, Darshan Zariwala.
Anil has made the film in two languages, Hindi and English. It has been directed by theatre actor Feroz Khan. The worldwide distribution rights of both the versions have been acquired by Eros Multimedia for a fantastic price. Anil himself has pumped in a lot of money in making the film.
Gandhi’s grandson speaks
Hamilton Mountain News – USA – April 27, 2007
Unity on the Mountain…the Church on the Edge presents for the first time in Hamilton, Arun Gandhi, who will share lessons he learned from his grandfather the great Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi will speak on Thursday May 10, at 7:30 p.m. in The Plaza Hotel Ballroom (formerly the Ramada Inn) at 150 King St. E. The seating is limited and expected to sell out. Tickets are $15 with student ID, $25 and $45 for reserved seating.
Arun Gandhi is the fifth grandson of India’s legendary leader, Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi. Growing up under the discriminatory apartheid laws of South Africa, he was beaten by “white” South Africans for being too black, and “black” South Africans for being too white; so, Arun sought eye-for-an-eye justice. However, he learned from his parents and grandparents that justice does not mean revenge, it means transforming the opponent through love and suffering. The great Gandhi taught Arun to understand nonviolence through understanding violence.
Arun shares these lessons all around the world. For the past five years, he has participated in the Renaissance Weekend deliberations with President Clinton and other well-respected Rhodes Scholars. This year, some of his engagements included speaking at the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Women’s Justice Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also delivered talks at the Young President’s Organization in Mexico, the Trade Union Leaders’ Meeting in Milan, Italy, as well as the Peace and Justice Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Arun Gandhi travels almost year-round all over the world speaking and teaching about nonviolence and promoting the work of the Gandhi Institute. The Institute’s work redoubles as the prevention and healing of violence becomes an ever-increasing need in our hearts and homes, our streets and communities, in our nation and our world. The research and work echoes and affirms the prophetic nature of Gandhi’s prediction: “Undreamed of and seemingly impossible discoveries will be made in the field of nonviolence.”
Hard course to good governance
Central Chronicle – India – by S. Ranjan – April 28, 2007
The famous professor of Taxila University, Vishnu Gupta, widely known as Chanakya was managing the funds for charity during Dhana Nanda’s rule in the 3rd century BC. The corrupt king Dhana Nanda of Pataliputra once humiliated Chanakya before his ministers. The incidents followed after the disgraceful act, had established good governance in the country. Chanakya was instrumental in converting a state of anarchy into good governance. In 1893, similar incident happened to the young advocate Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi at Maritzburg station of South Africa in a cold winter night. Gandhi was humiliated, beaten and thrown out of the first class compartment by a constable. He had spent the entire night in the dark waiting room without an over coat. The incident had given birth the greatest reformer and humanist of the century who returned to India and channeled the fragmented freedom struggle into a powerful mass movement. Gandhi was the bravest of the men who could think of snatching freedom for his countrymen from a brutal colonial ruler through nonviolence. He could identify what could ignite a mass movement. Look at the pinch of salt Gandhi picked up from Dandi coast, which had rocked the mighty British Empire.
If you go back to the age of mythology you will find Lord Ram was banished from his kingdom after being the victim of one of the most treacherous palace conspiracies. The series of incidents followed heralded the beginning of a new era of good governance. Before Ram there was anarchy and poor governance. Angry sage Parsuram toured India 17 times to butcher political rulers for their misrule. As per mythology, Lanka was the single power block-the symbol of opulence, power, greed and knowledge. Demon king Ravana forced everybody to serve his selfish interest. He had the knowledge and power to define aggression as a campaign for peace. But Ravana failed to recognize the power of the common man, which was searching for an outlet. Ram filled the gap. He stalked the country side, hills, villages, lived with tribal in caves and forest dwellings, fought with demons and organised the forest dwellers into a strong army to take on the might of Ravana. He experienced the sufferings and agony of an ordinary citizen to rediscover his country. He understood how people survive in harsh weather, in forest and hills by doing sustainable economic activities. He was amazed to see his people’s unique strength, skill, survival techniques, knowledge in Ayurveda, statecraft and warfare. Ram even learnt statecraft from Ravana like the sun expunges pure water from drains. He returned home with vast experience to establish good governance.
Today no leader wants to choose the path trodden by Lord Ram, Vishnu Gupta and Mahatma Gandhi as they know the path is long and will not give them comfort. Indian political class do not have close bonds with their electorates and spend most of the times in wrecking issues which are detrimental to national interest. Can any leader from any other country play caste card in the age of globalisation? Indian political class have made India a caste factory and pushed India into the social status of the pre independent time. This is the reason why India suffers from poor governance. Though British looted India, they provided good governance. After India won political freedom the freedom fighters in fact could not sustain the struggle for social and economic freedom.
Post independent India’s leaders cannonised Gandhi as Mahatma, which was actually a clever ploy to escape from the social responsibility. Only a Mahatma or a heavenly soul could handle enormous human problems. Gandhi’s idols occupied every square of the main cities and his vision was forgotten. India slipped into a phase of corruption and poor governance. World Bank ranked India’s Human Resources Index among the lowest developing nations in the world, adjacent to Pakistan, Bangladesh and African nations. The main reason for India’s decline is our election process. Democracy in India denies access to a majority of Indians to contest election. Today only rich people, trader sponsored candidates, goondas and children of political leaders take politics as career. The minimum expenditure involved in election campaign for a MP seat is not less than a crore if one takes into account the rent of vehicles, daily expenditures of the volunteers, posters, public meetings, rallies, road shows, media expenditures, banners and poster etc. The election expenditure is sourced from traders, black marketers and smugglers who ask for their pound of flesh from the candidate. The night before election is the witness to the circulation of Rs 50 to Rs 500 notes and liquer bottles among illiterate Indian vote banks who cheer and caste their votes to squeeze life out of democratic India. Political parties distribute tickets on the basis of the candidates’ capacity to spend and muscle power. Indian political leaders must identify good human material to distribute tickets. This will ensure good governance. And good governance will lead to sustainable economic growth amid global opportunities.
Today Globalisation is the biggest challenge before India. The nation will be under tremendous external pressure to favor developed nations in a camouflaged neocolonialism. A morally and intellectually strong leader will only act to distinguish global opportunity from global traps. A leader who is not rooted with the people, their culture and economy will never understand the nation’s interest amid the intricacies of globalisation. He will not know which sector to open to global competition and which sector to protect for the interest of the countrymen. Look 100% FDI flow in real estate sector since 2005 has increased urbanization process, which has converted agriculture lands into building blocks in many states. This will lead to foodgrain shortage. Food grain shortage will force farmers use biotechnology, which will again destroy the rich genetic bio-diversity of India. If bio-diversity is destroyed India cannot think of self-reliance and depend on other nations for seeds, plants and food to survive. India urgently needs a strong leader, rooted with Indian culture and traditions who can handle external economic threats and establish good governance.
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