Page 9 - NIS English October 1-15
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as one man.” He envisioned Indian nationalism is duty. If we all discharge our duties, rights
as one that was never narrow or exclusive but will not be far to seek.” He wrote in the journal
one that worked for the service of humanity. Harijan, “Rights accrue automatically to him who
Mahatma Gandhi also epitomized trust among duly performs his duties.” Gandhi gave us the
all sections of society. In 1917, Ahmedabad in doctrine of trusteeship, which emphasized the
Gujarat witnessed a huge textile strike. When socio-economic welfare of the poor. Inspired by
the conflict between the mill workers and that, we should think about a spirit of ownership.
owners escalated to a point of no return, it was We, as inheritors of the earth, are responsible
Gandhi who mediated an equitable settlement. for its well-being, including that of the flora
Gandhi formed the Majoor Mahajan Sangh, an and fauna with whom we share our planet. In
association for workers’ rights. At first sight, it Gandhi, we have the best teacher to guide us.
may seem just another name of an organization From uniting those who believe in humanity
but it reveals how small steps created a large to furthering sustainable development and
impact. During those days, “Mahajan” was used ensuring economic self-reliance, Gandhi offers
as a title of respect for elites. Gandhi inverted solutions to every problem. We in India are
the social structure by attaching the name doing our bit. India is among the fastest when
“Mahajan” to “Majoor,” or laborers. With that it comes to eliminating poverty. Our sanitation
linguistic choice, Gandhi enhanced the pride of efforts have drawn global attention. India is
workers. And Gandhi combined ordinary objects also taking the lead in harnessing renewable
with mass politics. Who else could have used resources through efforts like the International
a charkha, a spinning wheel, and khadi, Indian Solar Alliance, which has brought together
homespun cloth, as symbols of economic several nations to leverage solar energy for a
self-reliance and empowerment for a nation? sustainable future. We want to do even more,
Who else could have created a mass agitation with the world and for the world.
through a pinch of salt! During colonial rule, Salt As a tribute to Gandhi, I propose what I call the
Laws, which placed a new tax on Indian salt, had Einstein Challenge. We know Albert Einstein’s
become a burden. Through the Dandi March famous words on Gandhi: “Generations to come
in 1930, Gandhi challenged the Salt Laws. His will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in
picking up a small lump of natural salt from flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
the Arabian Sea shore led to the historic civil How do we ensure the ideals of Gandhi are
disobedience movement. remembered by future generations? I invite
There have been many mass movements in thinkers, entrepreneurs and tech leaders to be
the world, many strands of the freedom struggle at the forefront of spreading Gandhi’s ideas
even in India, but what sets apart the Gandhian through innovation. Let us work shoulder to
struggle and those inspired by him is the shoulder to make our world prosperous and
wide-scale public participation. He never held free from hate, violence and suffering. That is
administrative or elected office. He was never when we will fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream,
tempted by power. summed up in his favorite hymn, “Vaishnava
For him, independence was not absence of Jana To,” which says that a true human is one
external rule. He saw a deep link between political who feels the pain of others, removes misery
independence and personal empowerment. and is never arrogant.
He envisioned a world where every citizen has The world bows to you, beloved Bapu!
dignity and prosperity. When the world spoke
about rights, Gandhi emphasized duties. He (The article was written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
wrote in “Young India”: “The true source of rights on the occasion of Gandhiji's 150th Birth Anniversary)
New India Samachar 7
