Opinion | Ahimsa, Satyagrah, Swadeshi and Swatcha: Relevance of Gandhian Philosophy in Present Times

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the most prominent leader of 20th century India, who changed the course of history during the Indian freedom struggle. He was a pioneer of Satyagraha (the resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience) and a staunch propounder and practioner of the philosophy of Ahimsa (i.e., non-violence in thought, action and deed). He was not only one of the prominent leaders who helped India to gain independence, but he also inspired movements for civil rights and fredom across the globe. He was a most complex thinker, a unique personality admired everywhere because of his simple living and high thinking. Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore bestowed upon him the title of “Mahatma” and Netaji Subhas Chander Bose referred him as the “Father of Nation” (Bapu).
Mahatma Gandhi’s achievements in his life were no less than a miracle. His emphasis on banishing untouchability, promoting literacy and unity will be remembered forever. His principles, selfless dedication and missions continue to inspire the country.
In the current turbulent times, when the world is grappling with so many problems, it is imperative to strive to inculcate and implement Gandhian thought and philosophy to find “unity in diversity” in various facets of life: be it governance or politics, education or culture, cleanliness or self-reliance. In today’s world, Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satya) are very much relevant as violence and extremism has poisoned the whole world. His policy of non-violence, compassion and sympathy can prove a potent weapon to deal with urgent problems of the modem and developing country like India. His philosophy and political approach based on these concepts could be the starting point of regeneration and rebirth of a non-violent culture and society. These aspects of Gandhian philosophy should be emphasized in managing some of the real challenges faced by humanity at large in the third decade of the 21st century.
He believed and had a firm faith on the spiritual power against all kinds of injustice, oppression and exploitation. Through the movement of Satyagraha, he showed how to solve problems and conflicts through nonviolent methods and means. Many contemporary challenges related to human rights, socio-political unrest, war and peace, conflicts, corruption can be corrected by following and practicing Gandhian philosophy in letter and spirit.
Gandhi’s thoughts on Swadeshi needs to be made practicable in reality to make our country a self-reliant country. Incumbent Prime Minister’s call for an “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” (Make in India) may be fairly described as the second version of Gandhi’s swadeshi movement. In order to free our country from the shackles of poverty, hunger and unemployment, swadeshi is the best path to walk on in the current times for a better change and a prosperous future.
The sceularist ideology of Gandhi needs to be made a reality in this world of chaos and confusion, clashes and communal disharmony. The world, especially our country, needs to be more and more religious and intelligently tolerant society, where violence penetrates on the name of caste, color, creed, religion, ideology, etc. Tolerance, patience and secular ideology, as preached by him, can help in neutralizing all minds of discriminations prevalent in our societies and protect our country from any kind of division or communal disharmony.
Gandhi also emphasized upon cleanliness or swacchta. He used to say “Swacchta Hi Seva”. The recent concept of “Swacchta Bharat Abiyan”, the biggest cleanliness drive of India with the aim of making India clean and green, is essentially to fullfill the dream of great socio-political reformer. His vision and high thinking regarding crucial matters have the highest percentage of applicability in the present world.
Mahatma Gandhi has said “My life is my message”. This is what kept him relevant for over 150 years and more. He still shines by virtue of his concem for a greatest good of humanity. His political contributions offered us independence but his thought and philosophy enlightened India and the world at large, then and now. Every individual should follow the steps mentioned in Gandhian philosophy for a prosperous, happy, harmonious and sustainable future. In order to become a super power, India should pay homage to Gandhian ideology and walk on the assigned path for a better, tolerant, harmonious and peaceful India. Mahatma Gandhi has rightly  said: “My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God; non-violence is the means of realizing Him”.

(About Writer : Iffat Nazir is a BA 6th Semester at Govt. Degree College Sogam (Lolab), Kupwara. She is a Orator and Poet.)