Mahatma Gandhi: An Epoch

“Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a man in flesh and blood ever walked on the Earth.” – Albert Einstein.

Few are worthy to be remembered. And fewer are actually remembered. But, the towering personality of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is the central theme in India’s glorious struggle for freedom. History is seldom sculpted around one charismatic figure. But Gandhiji was not all form; contained in him was the substance that was necessary for shaking the very foundation of the empire where the sun had never set for more than a century.

I have lived most of my life among people whose [among others] favourite hobby was Gandhi-bashing. But my opinion on this great personality was influenced less by my peers and more by my heritage. Positive influences apart, there is no doubt that this Great Man’s contribution to India’s heritage was as great as his contribution to our freedom struggle.

People talk of nationalism, patriotism, secularism, integrity, duty above attachment and so on, but here was one man who practiced them all. Sadly, we have not learnt much from him, though we love to endlessly debate on whether he was right in calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement or the Civil Disobedience movement.

Gandhiji was no atheist. He was a firm believer in Hinduism, and he had respect for all other religious philosophies and teachings. But he was all for a secular state, where no particular denomination of faith would be favoured.

Like all other human beings, Gandhiji made his share of mistakes. But his greatness was his frankness and integrity in acknowledging them. In his book My Experiments with Truth, he reveals all this candidly.

People may debate on whether Gandhiji’s life was a success or a failure: but the same people may become deeply uncomfortable if a similar debate about their own lives is launched.

Today is his 140th birth anniversary. Let us hope that we remember him and his ideals for more than this one day.