The Mahatma and reality

Yesterday was 2nd October. The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated. A personality of such proportions comes only once in a while. India is surely blessed to get a man like him. But, looking at the situation of the world, i wonder how the Mahatma would have taken it? Does the present world scenario show that Gandhi's principles and his philosophy are indeed false?

The 9/11 attacks, Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, subsequent conflicts all over the world and repressions in Zimbabwe and Burma are all indicators to prove that Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence is false. By the very nature of the human setup, violence is inevitable. This theory has now been tinged with the factor of Rationality, thus making people believe this theory into reality. Violence, and the nature of the human mind, may make peace unachievable this century.

When you look at the way Democracies are functioning, it may furthur give a stamp of approval to the above paragraph. The world apathy over Burma and stagnation in Zimbabwe are furthur proofs of a militarist approach to life and to people. Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha and non violence has been flushed down the Toilet, and the door has remained shut.

I guess it is glad that Mahatma Gandhi is no more. "Lage Raho Munnabhai", a popualr indian film is proof of that. There is no value for Mr.Gandhi today, and worse, nobody can stand up for the truth. Values and Truthfulness of Gandhi is been debated, and some sections have shamefully rejected Gandhi and called him a traitor. Many people believe that because of Gandhi's mistake, the state of Pakistan was created, and the social fabric of the Sub-Continent completely altered.

But, there is a different reality to what Mahatma Gandhi advocated. His philosophy of Non Violence and Truth was perhaps to look at the individual within. Nobody ever said that Diplomacy and Peace was easy. If it was, the world would have been a better place to live. The thing about Peace and Diplomacy is it involves patience and a clear conscience. It also involves focus. Unfortunately, none of the elected representatives of elite democracies possess those qualities. Regarding US President George.W.Bush, he did not even consider it. The other world leaders are too occupied with their problems to focus on other things.

The absence of the above mentioned factors is what undermines Gandhi's philosophy. He had a clear conscience and a focus, and he succeded in his role. But, as a mortal, he made mistakes, some of which are not forgiven by the people of India. I will question those people and ask them, "what would THEY have done in Gandhi's place? The answer will be blank, because none of them can be Gandhi. To all the people who deride him for his policies, i will only say that they are not the embodiments of perfection.

I will not go into the intricacies of remebering Gandhi's legacy. Reality of today is such that it only makes individuals sad, and acknowledge that the Mahatma should have been alive today. His absence is really felt, and looking at future conflicts, this feeling may deepen of Satyagraha and non-violence.