Wednesday (October 2): In an op-ed written by him in The New York Times titled ‘Why India and the World Need Gandhi’ to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji, Mr. Modi talks about the ideals epitomised by the apostle of peace who inspired such iconic leaders as Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela.
“The guiding light whose inspiration got Dr King to India was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma, the Great Soul. On Wednesday, we observe his 150th birth anniversary. Gandhi Ji, or Bapu, continues to give courage to millions globally,” Mr. Modi writes.
PM Modi has quoted Martin Luther King Jr and wrote – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remarked, “To other countries I may go as a tourist, but to India I come as a pilgrim.” He added, “Perhaps, above all, India is the land where the techniques of nonviolent social change were developed that my people have used in Montgomery, Alabama, and elsewhere throughout the American South. We have found them to be effective and sustaining — they work!”
Also quoting Mandela, PM wrote, “For Mr. Mandela, Gandhi was Indian and South African. Gandhi would have approved. He had the unique ability to become a bridge between some of the greatest contradictions in human society.”
“And Gandhi combined ordinary objects with mass politics. Who else could have used a charkha, a spinning wheel, and khadi, Indian homespun cloth, as symbols of economic self-reliance and empowerment for a nation?”, he wrote further.
PM highlighted the way of Gandhian strategy in his article and explained how important was the mass politics pioneered by Gandhiji. “There have been many mass movements in the world, many strands of the freedom struggle even in India, but what sets apart the Gandhian struggle and those inspired by him is the wide-scale public participation. He never held administrative or elected office. He was never tempted by power.” he wrote.
About what were Gandhiji’s views on environmental issues, he wrote, “We, as inheritors of the earth, are responsible for its well-being, including that of the flora and fauna with whom we share our planet.”
“In Gandhi, we have the best teacher to guide us. From uniting those who believe in humanity to furthering sustainable development and ensuring economic self-reliance, Gandhi offers solutions to every problem.” he wrote.
At the end, PM also quoted noted scientist Albert Einstein – As a tribute to Gandhi, I propose what I call the Einstein Challenge. We know Albert Einstein’s famous words on Gandhi: “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Full article can be read here.
