Remembering Gandhiji

[P.J.]

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The UN will observe Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence every year.

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi. This day is referred to in India as Gandhi Jayanti.

In January 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi had taken a proposal for an International Day of Non-Violence from a Hindi teacher in Paris teaching international students to the World Social Forum in Bombay. The idea gradually attracted the interest of some leaders of India's Congress Party ("Ahimsa Finds Teen Voice", The Telegraph, Calcutta) until a Satyagraha Conference resolution in New Delhi in January 2007 initiated by Sonia Gandhi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu called upon the United Nations to adopt the idea.

On 15 June 2007 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in "an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness."


“The universal relevance of Gandhiji’s message of non-violence is more important today than ever before since nations across the world continue to grapple with the threat of conflict, violence and terrorism,”

Take a pledge not to support any form of violence anywhere and that should be a fitting tribute our great leader Mahatma Gandhi

JAI HIND
​

International Day of Non-Violence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

​

picture:Google

 

[prasad1]

Thank you for posting this thread.

 

[Raji Ram]

The UN will observe Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence every year.

:thumb:

 

[Nara]

Yes, Gandhi is great, like "Mother" Theresa, ஒய்யாரக் கொண்டை, don't ever open it up and look inside for what you will see is ஈரும் பேனும்.

Gandhi was a Varna/jAti apologist dedicated to keeping the varna order in tact.

Then there is his sexual prelidiclictions, something the IG spends millions to keep under wraps, away from frank and honest examination, as though such natural inclinations are too sensitive for the light hearted, shocked I say, shocked, can it be so!!!

So much for someone who loved poverty.

As we celebrate the apostle of nonviolence, in the same vain as none other than the Christ Jesus, let us also dare examine the truth critically. Like "Mother" Teresa who cared more for the marketability of poverty than the poor, he cared more for the image of nonviolence than fighting for justice of the oppressed. But then, why should all that matter, let us all feel good, the West thinks he is the modern day Jesus, apostle of nonviolence, and that must be good, afterall the West says so, and that has always been good enough for the Indians.

Kumbaya, long live Gandhi and the non-violence he advocated at the expense of Varna discrimination and the exploitation of the poor by the rich and powerful.

Happy birthday Mahatma!!!!!

 

[vgane]

Yes, Gandhi is great, like "Mother" Theresa, ஒய்யாரக் கொண்டை, don't ever open it up and look inside for what you will see is ஈரும் பேனும்.

Gandhi was a Varna/jAti apologist dedicated to keeping the varna order in tact.

Then there is his sexual prelidiclictions, something the IG spends millions to keep under wraps, away from frank and honest examination, as though such natural inclinations are too sensitive for the light hearted, shocked I say, shocked, can it be so!!!

So much for someone who loved poverty.

As we celebrate the apostle of nonviolence, in the same vain as none other than the Christ Jesus, let us also dare examine the truth critically. Like "Mother" Teresa who cared more for the marketability of poverty than the poor, he cared more for the image of nonviolence than fighting for justice of the oppressed. But then, why should all that matter, let us all feel good, the West thinks he is the modern day Jesus, apostle of nonviolence, and that must be good, afterall the West says so, and that has always been good enough for the Indians.

Kumbaya, long live Gandhi and the non-violence he advocated at the expense of Varna discrimination and the exploitation of the poor by the rich and powerful.

Happy birthday Mahatma!!!!!

Nara,

On his return from South Africa to India, Gandhiji began connecting with the poor masses by starting to live a humble living...Discarded his western attire for Dhoti and ate simple food, mostly fruits...The simple attire started after visiting Madurai in 1921 when he saw the poor people languishing in poverty without proper clothes.

He organized protests of the farmers, poor peasants and labor class against oppressive laws laid out by the British

Gandhiji build hospitals and schools and improved the sanitation...He build Ashrams where he helped the poor..I would say his service to the poor is not for any advertisement but it was selfless ...At the same time he did not loose focus of gaining independence

Regarding your first part that he supported jati varna, please read his autobiography "My Experiments with truth"; you will understand how much he worked to ameliorate the condition of untouchables (Dalits)...During his times the untouchables were ostracized and other people felt that they deserve their fate and not worthy of fair treatment, Gandhiji coined the word 'Harijan" or children of God for them...He relentlessly worked for their emancipation...We have come a long way since then in the treatment of our Dalits

 

[prasad1]

Nara,

On his return from South Africa to India, Gandhiji began connecting with the poor masses by starting to live a humble living...Discarded his western attire for Dhoti and ate simple food, mostly fruits...The simple attire started after visiting Madurai in 1921 when he saw the poor people languishing in poverty without proper clothes.

He organized protests of the farmers, poor peasants and labor class against oppressive laws laid out by the British

Gandhiji build hospitals and schools and improved the sanitation...He build Ashrams where he helped the poor..I would say his service to the poor is not for any advertisement but it was selfless ...At the same time he did not loose focus of gaining independence

Regarding your first part that he supported jati varna, please read his autobiography "My Experiments with truth"; you will understand how much he worked to ameliorate the condition of untouchables (Dalits)...During his times the untouchables were ostracized and other people felt that they deserve their fate and not worthy of fair treatment, Gandhiji coined the word 'Harijan" or children of God for them...He relentlessly worked for their emancipation...We have come a long way since then in the treatment of our Dalits

To some people even God did not do enough, leave alone Gandhiji. These people are one issue people, if their issue is not solved to their satisfaction, that is the end.

 

[renuka]

Violence at the right place..at the right time..towards the right person..for a good cause is also Non Violence in my opinion.

 

[sarang]

Ahimsa paramo dharmaha, Dharma himsa tathaiva cha.

'Non - Violence is the greatest Dharma, So too is all righteous violence'

Violence at the right place..at the right time..towards the right person..for a good cause is also Non Violence in my opinion.

 

[kk4646]

Violence at the right place..at the right time..towards the right person..for a good cause is also Non Violence in my opinion.

TVK

 

[auh]

Gandhi just had a gargantuan ego, and a stubbornness that could out-stubborn the most stubborn mule. He played with the emotions of people and ensured that a nation swayed to his whims.

 

[Brahmanyan]

To me God is Truth and Love; God is ethics and morality; God is fearlessness. God is the source of Light and Life and yet He is above and beyond all these. God is conscience. He is even the atheism of the atheist. For in His boundless love God permits the atheist to live. He is the searcher of hearts. He transcends speech and reason. He knows us and our hearts better than we do ourselves. He does not take us at our word, for He knows that we often do not mean it, some knowingly and others unknowingly. (Gandhiji on the Nature of God)

On his 144th Birthday today, I salute this Great Mahatma,
whom I respect always,

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[Brahmanyan]

Violence at the right place..at the right time..towards the right person..for a good cause is also Non Violence in my opinion.

Dear Doctor,
Please never entertain the thought of Violence in your heart. There is no right place, right time or right person for violence.
Best wishes,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[kunjuppu]

Dear Brahmanyan,

Here is a tamil translation of an evaluation of Gandhiji by U.R.Ananthamurthy. As usual, URA excels in his thoughts and words, and the translation does justice to it.

A couple of interesting excerpts..may be in order here.

... 'இந்தியாவை வெறுமனே தேசமாகப் பார்க்கவேண்டும். இப்போதைக்கு நமக்குள்ள எல்லாச் சண்டைகளையும் ஒதுக்கி வைத்து விட்டு முதலில் தேசம் விடுதலையடையட்டும்' என்றார். அம்பேத்கர், 'இல்லை நாடு விடுதலையடைந்தால் மேல்ஜாதிக்காரர்களான நீங்கள் எங்களை ஆண்டு பிரிட்டிஷ்காரர்களின் இடத்தில் உட்கார்ந்துவிடுவீர்கள். எங்களுக்கு அது தேவையில்லை. முதலில் சமூகச் சீர்திருத்தம் நடக்கட்டும்' என்றார்.

காந்தி என்ன செய்தார் பாருங்கள். இது விசித்திரமான ஒரு விஷயம். ஒரு தேசத்தை ஏககாலத்தில் ஒரு சமூகமாகவும் தேசமாகவும் பார்க்கும் வல்லமை காந்திக்கு இருந்தது. இதை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் சொல்கிறேன். நாமெல்லோரும் இந்தியாவைத் தேசமாகப் பார்க்கும்போது அதை ஒரு சமூகமாகப் பார்ப்பதில்லை. அதைச் சமூகமாகப் பார்க்கும்போது ஒரு தேசமாகப் பார்ப்பதில்லை. ஒரு சமூகமாக இந்தியாவைப் பார்க்கும்போது யார் யாரை ஒடுக்குகிறார்கள், பெண்களின் நிலைமை எப்படியிருக்கிறது, இங்கே சூத்திரர்கள் என்னவாகியிருக்கிறார்கள், ஏழைகள் எப்படியிருக்கிறார்கள் என்பவற்றையெல்லாம் கவனிக்க வேண்டியுள்ளது.

தேசமாகப் பார்க்கும்போது நாமெல்லோரும் ஒற்றுமையாயிருக்க வேண்டும் எனச் சொல்ல வேண்டியுள்ளது. நீங்கள் வெறும் தேசியவாதியாயிருந்தால் முழுத் தேசத்தையும் ஒற்றுமைப்படுத்த முடியாது. ஏழைபாழைகள் இதில் பங்குகொள்ள முடியாது.”


..............

தன் மகன் ராஜாஜியின் மகளைத் திருமணம் செய்துகொள்வதாகச் சொன்னபோது முதலில் காந்தி வேண்டாம் என்றார். ஏனென்றால் மேல்ஜாதிக்காரப் பெண்களைக் கீழ்ஜாதிக்காரர்கள் மணந்துகொள்ளக் கூடாது என்னும் அளவில் அவர் மரபாளர். அதன் பிறகு அப்படி மணப்பது சரி எனத் தெரிந்த பின்னர் இனிமேல் கலப்புத் திருமணங்களுக்கு மட்டுமே தான் செல்வது எனச் சொன்னார்

....

இங்கே ஒரு நண்பர் சொன்னார், காந்தி போய்விட்டார் என்று. அவர் எங்கேயும் போகவில்லை. தென்னாப் பிரிக்காவின் விடுதலைக்குப் பின்னால் காந்தி இருக்கிறார். அமெரிக்காவின் கருப்பர்களின் விடுதலைக்குப் பின்னால் காந்தி இருக்கிறார். இன்றைக்கும் எந்தப் பலமும் இல்லாத ஜனங்களின் துக்கத்தில் காந்தி இருக்கிறார். யார் ஜனங்களின் துக்கத்தில் நினைவுக்கு வருகிறாரோ அவர் நிலைத்திருப்பார். சந்தோஷத்தில் ஞாபகத்துக்கு வருகிறவர் சந்தோஷம் முடியும்போதே மறைந்துபோய்விடுவார். காந்தி நம் துக்கங்களிலும் சங்கடங்களிலும் நிலைத்திருப்பார்.


Here is the link to the full article. Thank You.

இன்றைக்கும் இருக்கும் காந்தி - யு. ஆர். அனந்தமூர்த்தி
தமிழில்: நஞ்சுண்டன்

 

[Nara]

To some people even God did not do enough, leave alone Gandhiji. These people are one issue people, if their issue is not solved to their satisfaction, that is the end.

prasad1, let us leave god out of this, even among those who believe in such an entity there so much disagreement on the identity of the entity.

Coming to MKG, I don't share the hero-worship mentality, that is all. He is not the only issue that animates me, and there is nothing to solve here to my satisfaction or yours. So, the end you talk of is irrelevant.

Instead of making vague comments it would be much more meaningful if you could talk substantively ....

 

[kunjuppu]

Dear Brahmanyan,

Reading some of the comments here re Gandhiji, I am not surprised. The web world today, is full of criticisms and hatred of Gandhi. Even any publication from Pakistan could not outdo some of the vitriol.

Today's generation tends to look at him with today's eyes, and with tinted glasses of their choice. As we are distanced by time from British rule, and as we increasingly feel comfortable in the concept of free India (to the majority of Indians, there is no memory of British Raj), there is almost a complete negation of Gandhi's contribution for our Indpendence.

Instead, we tend to focus on his views re sexuality or varna, both of which, he tread gently, I think. More so, with the mores and morals of those days. And before birth control pill became a reality. And female emancipation education and the Hindu Reforms of the 1950s. Gandhi would have approved of all of them, I think

Such is life!!

 

[prasad1]

prasad1, let us leave god out of this, even among those who believe in such an entity there so much disagreement on the identity of the entity.

Coming to MKG, I don't share the hero-worship mentality, that is all. He is not the only issue that animates me, and there is nothing to solve here to my satisfaction or yours. So, the end you talk of is irrelevant.

Instead of making vague comments it would be much more meaningful if you could talk substantively ....

You addressed it to me personally, and I generally avoid you. Because I have nothing to say to you and your rambling. One has to have greatness to see greatness in others.
http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/genera...brate-mahatma-gandhi-jayanthi.html#post208596

 

[Nara]

.....Regarding your first part that he supported jati varna, please read his autobiography "My Experiments with truth"; you will understand how much he worked to ameliorate the condition of untouchables (Dalits)...During his times the untouchables were ostracized and other people felt that they deserve their fate and not worthy of fair treatment, Gandhiji coined the word 'Harijan" or children of God for them...He relentlessly worked for their emancipation...We have come a long way since then in the treatment of our Dalits

Dear vgane, how could any of us grow up in India without reading his autobiography? I read it in Tamil in high school and read it in English as well later on. I have also read a couple of biographies of the Mahatma. I have read his critiques and I have also read MKG's answers to those criticisms. I have read many of the essays he wrote on various topics. So, I submit to you, my views on MKG are not some knee jerk reaction, they are as considered as the consideration that I am capable of mustering.

MKG was a great leader, there is no doubt about it. He united Indians under his leadership and guided the Independence struggle. But that guidance was often flawed. He was often arrogant, egotistical, and condescending to other great leaders of his time. Time and again he thwarted the efforts of other leaders who didn't share his view.

When it comes to jAti and varna, he was no reformer. He wanted to preserve the varna system, read MKG's response to Babasaheb Amedkar's pamphlet Annihilation of Caste, and while you are at it, read Ambedkar's rebuttal as well. He coining the word "Harijan" is one of those unwanted condescending objectification of the Dalits, like as though they are hapless children needing the pity of their betters. The Dalits rejected the nomenclature, to them it was patronising arrogance of the upper caste. They wanted equal rights and respect in the new India. They didn't want to be free of the British only to be subjected to the hegemony of the upper castes. But MKG was not bothered about any of this, all that mattered to him was to keep the Dalits within the Hindu fold and for that he was prepared to go on a fast until death. It was nothing short of blackmail -- agree to my conditions or else face the wrath of the Hindu nation when I die.

This is the man hailed as Mahathma.

There are people who get angry if arguments like these are presented, to them He is a Mahatma, one who must be worshipped and never criticized. But, I disagree, he is a public figure, and if he is to be put on a pedestal then one must be ready to face criticisms of his actions and respond in a rational way. Simply shutting up the criticisms and condemning the criticizer is totalitarianism.

In this respect, take a look at MLK and his legacy. Even though MLK looked up to MKG for the nonviolent tactics, when it comes to social vision and the goals of the fight, MLK was many MKGs better than the Mahatma. MLK fought for the rights of poor and powerless all his life. MKG's fight was for the narrow interests of Hindus at all expense.

Let us celebrate the Mahatma's birthday, fine, but let us also take a critical look at the man's legacy, and I am afraid it is not Mahatma material.

 

[Nara]

Because I have nothing to stay to you and your rambling.

Thank you prasad1, you are so kind.

One has to have greatness to see greatness in others....

Guilty as charged, I don't posses the kind of greatness you so obviously posses as you clearly see the greatness..

You are great!!!

 

[Nara]

...Instead, we tend to focus on his views re sexuality or varna, both of which, he tread gently, I think. More so, with the mores and morals of those days. And before birth control pill became a reality. And female emancipation education and the Hindu Reforms of the 1950s. Gandhi would have approved of all of them, I think

Such is life!!

And you would be wrong dear K, and such is life indeed!!!

In his life Gandhi was much more of what one might call MCP than supporter of woman's lib. He would have certainly objected to the pill and would have advocated abstination.

The fact is, it is the people who worship him who want to sweep his sexuality under the carpet as though that would besmirch his saintliness. As far as I am concerned, if he was gay, that is great, if not, just as well. The criticism is about the experiments he engaged in with young girls, that is beyond the pale, not something that one can simply overlook in the interest of not sullying the image the great Mahatma.

Same is the case with Varna/jAti. He took a very reactionary view, not Mahatma material. Those who think he was a great reformer on caste should really read his response to Annihilation of Caste and the rebuttal, then you will realize how reactionary his views on caste were.

To borrow an adage from another member, I see a lot of முழு பூசிணிக்காய் being concealed in சோறு. All I am doing is removing some of the சோறு and revealing some of the பூசிணிக்காய். I hope you don't see any vitriol from me.

 

[P.J.]

Who gave "Mahatma" before the name of Gandhi

it was Nagar sheth of Jetpur Shri Nautamlal B. Mehta (Kamdar) Niranjan Mehta’s grand Father. who was the first to use and bestow “Mahatma” for Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on January 21, 1915 at Kamri Bai School, Jetpur, India. From then on, Gandhiji was known as Mahatma Gandhi.

WHO GAVE THE TITLE ?MAHATMA? TO GANDHI ? Apparently not Tagore.. | Sotto Voce

 

[Brahmanyan]

Dear Brahmanyan,

Reading some of the comments here re Gandhiji, I am not surprised. The web world today, is full of criticisms and hatred of Gandhi. Even any publication from Pakistan could not outdo some of the vitriol.

Today's generation tends to look at him with today's eyes, and with tinted glasses of their choice. As we are distanced by time from British rule, and as we increasingly feel comfortable in the concept of free India (to the majority of Indians, there is no memory of British Raj), there is almost a complete negation of Gandhi's contribution for our Indpendence.

Instead, we tend to focus on his views re sexuality or varna, both of which, he tread gently, I think. More so, with the mores and morals of those days. And before birth control pill became a reality. And female emancipation education and the Hindu Reforms of the 1950s. Gandhi would have approved of all of them, I think

Such is life!!

Dear Sri Kunjuppu,

I agree with your view, but I will not generalise that whole younger generation negates Gandhiji's contribution for our independence. In fact there is a new awareness among the younger generation to understand Mahatma better.
I am proud to say that those of us who grewup during the best part of freedom struggle know who was Gandhi
and how he mobilised the highly divided India, politically and socially, against the mighty British.

Yes, I do note vituperative eloquence of some members of our forum in criticizing Gandhiji. But I do not enter into arguments on that score. During his life time Mahatma has faced much severe criticism. That reminds of Gandhiji's comments on the infamous book "Mother India" , the 1927 book by American Katherine Mayo.

"This book is cleverly and powerfully written. The carefully chosen quotations give it the false appearance of a truthful book. But the impression it leaves on my mind, is that it is the report of a drain inspector sent out with the one purpose of opening and examining the drains of the country to be reported upon, or to give a graphic description of the stench exuded by the opened drains."

It is time the present generation should reinvent the Mahatma from his writings, instead of hearsay.

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[vgane]

Unfortunately though we call Mahatma as the Father of the Indian Nation there is no official word about it...It is high time that GOI declares it officially

In Pakistan Jinnah is already officially called as Quaid e Azam (Great leader) and Baba-i-Qaum (Father of Nation)


?Mahatma Gandhi is not Father of the Nation? - daily.bhaskar.com

We all have been taught that Mahatma Gandhi is the ‘Father of the Nation’ but surprisingly the government of India does not consider Bapu as the Father of the Nation. Constitution does not permit any titles except educational and military ones.
It may be recalled that a Lucknow-based student Aishwarya Parashar filed an RTI in 2012. In reply to RTI, the home ministry had told her that no action was taken on her plea to the President to declare Mahatma Gandhi as 'Father of the Nation' because Article 18 (1) of the Constitution does not permit any titles except education and military ones.

Aishwarya had filed number of RTI petitions seeking details about Gandhi and the reasons of referring him as Father of the Nation. In response, she was told that no such title has been accorded to Gandhi. Driven by patriot zeal, Class VI student Aishwarya wrote to the then President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to issue a notification declaring Mahatma Gandhi as 'Father of the Nation'.


Since childhood, we all have been taught that the great son of India, Mahatma Gandhi is the "Father of the Nation". But surprisingly, the government of India does not consider Gandhiji as the Father of the Nation! According to government's documents, Gandhiji was not conferred with this title, constitutionally.

The reply to the RTI query came as a shock to all those Indians who believed that Republic day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti are national holidays. Apparently, these three dates were never notified by the government.

 

[Brahmanyan]

It may be recalled that a Lucknow-based student Aishwarya Parashar filed an RTI in 2012. In reply to RTI, the home ministry had told her that no action was taken on her plea to the President to declare Mahatma Gandhi as 'Father of the Nation' because Article 18 (1) of the Constitution does not permit any titles except education and military ones.

Dear Sri "vgane",

Whether the honorific "Father of the Nation" is a "Title" or not under Article 18(1) of the Constitution is not cleared by the Supreme Court of India.

Whereas Bharat Ratna and other Padma awards have been declared as not Titles within the meaning of Article 18(1) by a judgement of Supreme Court.

"A five-judge constitution Bench headed by then Chief Justice A M Ahmadi dealt with the issue at length while adjudicating the question — "Whether the awards, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are 'titles' within the meaning of Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India."

It answered the question in the negative and allowed continuation of the tradition, the foundation of which was laid in 1948 by the Sir B N Rau committee. But the court, which distinguished the awards from colonial era titles, did express anguish over abuse of the awards.

"The National Awards do not amount to 'titles' within the meaning of Article 18(1) and they should not be used as suffixes or prefixes. If this is done, the defaulter should forfeit the National Award conferred on him or her by following the procedure laid down in Regulation 10 of each of these four notifications creating these National Awards," it said.

It noted that though sufficient restraint had been shown in granting Bharat Ratna, "the same cannot be said for the Padma awards... The exercise of such restraint is absolutely necessary to safeguard the importance of the awards. That is why the need for necessarily granting awards every year also requires reconsideration," it said.
(Times of India - Jan 28, 2008, )

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[hemaraghavan]

thankyou Nara.very useful details you mentioned.

 

[auh]

There are various facets to a man, and Gandhi is just another man. Perhaps in flaunting our veneration we may be over zealous in neglecting the faults of a public figure; so quick in calling out the remarks against Gandhi.

Apart from his personal quirks, he was also instrumental in establishing the "sheep" mentality in Indians.

I think the hero-worship-mindedness in Indians is a gene thing.