Dr Shubhankar Mishra*
Albert Einstein, one of the most famous scientists of the 20th century, once said about Mahatma Gandhi, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.” The powerful words of the great physicist Einstein highlight Gandhi ji’s immense impact on the world. Gandhi ji’s influence on non-violent resistance has been instrumental in shaping social movements and remains pertinent today.
Mahatma Gandhi, often called ‘Mahatma’, was given this title by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. ‘Mahatma’ means ‘the one with the greatest soul’, a title that truly reflected Gandhi’s fearless, selfless, and peaceful philosophies. His commitment to socio-political change earned him global recognition as a saint, statesman, social reformer, and author. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose profoundly honoured Gandhi ji by calling him the ‘Father of the Nation’ for his relentless struggles for India’s independence. India fondly remembers Gandhi as Bapu.
Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the iconic national leader of India, was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. This day, celebrated every year as Gandhi Jayanti all across India, serves as a powerful reminder of his unparalleled contribution to the Indian Independence Movement. Mahatma Gandhi fearlessly led the struggle against colonialism and its human rights violations using the powerful concepts of ‘Ahimsa’ or non-violence – the principle of not causing harm to any living being, and ‘Satyagraha’ – holding on to the truth by non-violent resistance to evil, by refusing to submit to the wrong.
Gandhi Jayanti holds great significance in India and serves as a global inspiration. A UN General Assembly resolution passed on June 15, 2007, dedicates this day as an opportunity to promote the message of non-violence. Recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, it is a testament to Gandhi’s principles and aims to inspire global social change. This day emphasizes the significant role of education and public awareness in promoting non-violence. The world will celebrate Gandhi ji’s 155th birth anniversary on October 2, 2024, encouraging everyone to promote peace, tolerance, understanding, and non-violence.
Gandhian philosophy embodies the ideals of simple living and high thinking, seeking to bring about a profound transformation in the individual and society. Throughout the Indian freedom struggle, Gandhi ji steadfastly adhered to the principle of non-violence, demonstrating its power through his actions.
Mahatma Gandhi is also known as the ‘Saint of Sabarmati’ due to his famous Dandi march from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. While at Sabarmati, Gandhiji lived in a small cottage called ‘Hridaya (Heart) Kunj’. The Ashram is of great historical significance and played a vital role in Gandhiji’s life. He devoted himself to the Indian independence movement at the Ashram from 1915 to 1933. Even today, visitors can see some of Gandhiji’s belongings, including his writing desk, a khadi kurta, the yarn he spun, and some of his letters.
Mahatma Gandhi’s intellectual pursuits were incredibly diverse, reflecting his versatility and the range of his interests. He was a prolific writer, authoring numerous books, essays, articles, and letters throughout his lifetime. Some of his notable contributions include, ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth,’ an autobiography detailing his life and philosophy; ‘Hind Swaraj,’ which presents his views on Indian self-rule and modern civilization; ‘Satyagraha in South Africa,’ detailing his experiences in South Africa and the development of his philosophy of non-violent resistance. Gandhi ji also wrote ‘The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi,’ offering his commentary on the Hindu scripture.
Gandhi ji took on the role of a journalist amidst his various commitments, serving as the editor for more than 30 years for four impactful journals namely, The Indian Opinion (1903) in South Africa, Young India (1919), Navajivan (1919), and Harijan (1933) in India. The first newspaper, Indian Opinion, was launched by Gandhi ji in 1903 in South Africa to give voice to the feelings of Indians living under apartheid. The Indian Opinion was published in English, Gujarati, Tamil, and Hindi. Gandhi ji not only wrote for the journal but also contributed his own money to support the cause. He believed that journalism’s primary aim was service to mankind and, therefore, used the medium to communicate with the masses.
The Indian diaspora has been greatly inspired by Gandhi ji, who is considered to be the greatest Pravasi (expatriate). The significance of celebrating ‘Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas’ on 9th January lies in the fact that it marks his return to India from South Africa on this day in 1915. Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) aims to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions of the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Gandhi ji not only played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle but also profoundly impacted the lives of Indians and Mauritians. His non-violent independence movement eventually led to India gaining freedom from British rule and greatly influenced the Mauritian freedom struggle.
It is interesting to note that Gandhi ji made a stopover at Port Louis in Mauritius on his way from South Africa to India in 1901. He stayed here for about two weeks because the ship he was travelling on developed a technical issue and had to anchor in Mauritius for repairs. The Indo-Mauritian community welcomed him warmly, and his visit had a profound and long-lasting impact on the Indian diaspora in Mauritius. It’s amazing how even small moments in history can have significant and lasting effects.
Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Mauritius in 1901 was a significant event as it provided an excellent opportunity for him to meet and connect with the Indian indentured labourers. At the time, the island was facing a severe plague epidemic. Gandhi ji spent about 15 days in Mauritius, giving invaluable advice to the people. He emphasized the importance of education and political participation, believing these were the keys to obtaining rights and leading dignified lives. Gandhi ji spoke to the Indo-Mauritians about social justice, non-violence, and self-reliance, leaving an unforgettable impression on the people. His message of non-violence, truth, and civil disobedience has influenced countless individuals and movements striving for justice, human rights, and a better society.
Gandhian principles have also impacted several Mauritian writers, especially Shri Abhimanyu Unnuth, among others. Shri Unnuth, a renowned Hindi writer of Mauritius, wrote the Hindi novel ‘Gandhi Ji Boley Theiy’ as a continuation of his well-received novel, ‘Laal Pasina’. The novel serves as a poignant documentation of the struggles faced by Indian immigrants in Mauritius. In the novel, the protagonist, Prakash, draws inspiration from Gandhi’s ideals, advocating for education, opposing injustice, and striving for human rights. Other characters like Madan, Sita, Meera, and Seema also embody high human ideals inspired by Gandhian values, serving as a source of inspiration for the new generation.
Broadly, Gandhian philosophy is built on two fundamental principles i.e., truth and non-violence. ‘Satya’ (truth) was of the utmost importance to Gandhi, equating it with God, and ‘non-violence’ represents the vow of non-killing or love for all. These embody two of Gandhi’s eleven vows; others include Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (self-discipline), Aparigraha (non-possession), Sharirshram (bread labour), Asvada (control of the palate), Sarvatra Bhayvarjana (fearlessness) Swadeshi (use locally made goods) and Sparshbhavna (remove untouchability). These eleven vows require personal discipline and commitment. They make up the ethical system that Mahatma Gandhi recommended, especially for those living at Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhi’s philosophy is a practical guide for action because he only wrote about what he experienced firsthand.
Gandhi ji consistently advocated for minimizing demands, believing that human greed was destroying the environment. He emphasized the need for a sustainable lifestyle in today’s world. He famously said, “There is enough on earth for human needs but not enough for human greed.” By adopting Gandhi’s philosophy, we, as individuals, can address critical global issues such as global warming, climate change, and resource depletion and play a significant role in shaping a more sustainable future.
The Gandhian ideology continues to inspire India and the world. Even today, these timeless principles hold the key to every individual’s personal happiness, prosperity, health, harmony, and sustainability. Gandhi ji’s steadfast belief in non-violence as the most powerful force available to humanity, surpassing any weapon, must be adopted for our own welfare. Reinforcing the importance of harmony in life, Mahatma Gandhi once thoughtfully said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” These words remind us that aligning our thoughts, words, and actions can lead to true happiness. Let’s stand united in upholding Mahatma’s noble vision for fostering a world of peace and harmony.
* The author is an Indian government representative in the World Hindi Secretariat, Mauritius as Deputy Secretary General. Views expressed are personal.
“Gandhi Jayanti holds great significance in India and serves as a global inspiration. A UN General Assembly resolution passed on June 15, 2007, designates this day as an opportunity to promote the message of non-violence. Recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, it is a testament to Gandhi’s principles and aims to inspire global social change.”