By design or accident we seem to be living in a crazy & mobile dependent, materialistic, fairly educated,yet confused world. Nuances thereof, bring in an element of grief and depression. One should not say but carelessness of relating to the wavering life styles impacts our anatomy,every now and then. A simple variation of bodily temperature takes the shape of a viral cum long gestation fever,which becomes more viral, thanks to our casual approach, if not on account of application of specialized knowledge through medical science in a larger entity called Global Village.
TALE OF CASUALTIES
2) Losing 4 lakh 51 thousand Covid patients in India may not reflect only statistically but more than six times of it is the actual reality, as per the WHO, therefore,it is high time we did a fair, impartial and unbiased statistical introspection. But ironically, we do not mind more than 30 lakhs dying every year,due to T.B. & heart diseases.
Learning By Remembering
On the day of M.K. Gandhi’s 152nd birth anniversary, we should have drawn some lessons from the idea behind confession or the need to express Regret for commiting a Sin.
One may try to surmise & introspect on a particular day, followed by a systematic confession, the following day.
Sin & Good Deed
3) Paap(sin) or Punya( good deed) could be two sides of a coin. Unless we commit mistakes ,there can not be a scope or ground for correction or repentance or improvement.Failure,if we follow the instance of” Mosquito Entangled In a web”, must not discourage or deter us.These are supposed to be stepping stones to partial,medium or complete success situations,as emphasized under the basic tenets of Gandhism.
Other Anologies & Influences
4 )In addition ,If we are also to ,draw a parellel from Maslow’s 5 stages of growth, from the stage of Take Off to the climax of Self Actualization, in real life, it may seem to be a Misnomer, if not out of context, altogether.
ROLE PLAY AS PER STATUS
5) We should not forget that human beings are the products of the same social system, yet we are “allotted “myriad roles as per our heredity, education and background, and achievable quality or sustenance factor. We may not succeed, yet there should be no harm in climbing up the ladder. Sky may not be the limit, yet one should have the conviction and courage to create a hole in the round but revolving Earth, without bothering much for an “orange” or Black Hole or changing perceptions about statics & dynamics, Physics or hot theme of Global Warming.
As we would know, Black Hole suspense was further supplemented to by Stephen Hawking (a Divyang scientist) having unimaginable power to influence or convince ablest of all.
Gandhi’s Relevance
6) Against such a backdrop, we may pose a pertinent question-
” Gandhi Kaun,Kaisa Gandhi or Kinka Gandhi ( Who is Gandhi?, What kind of Gandhi? and Whose Gandhi ?)
I may not say so but remembering Bapu appears to have become an annual ritual, equally participated by White Clad Politicians and GalaBand bureaucrats.No ” national” speech is complete without him.
We tend or pretend to know Gandhi also on the eve of launching a Rastriya Yojana or a” plethora” of these, in the rapidly changing virtual or physical era.
7) However, forgetting the Mahatma, too has become a kind of fad, if not a fashionable device. Why should we do it or why should we undermine, if not denigrate, the equally remarkable roles played by the likes of Bhagat Singh, Bal Pal Lal, J.L.Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, BR Ambedkar or Kriplanis of
the bygone era and Ram Manohar Lohia and J.P. , unquestioned doyens of the contemporary period.
Re-ignite The Fire
8) Rightly, it is the correct time to re-ignite the fire within us in respect of Sardar Patel,another stalwart , if not superior to, but definitely of the same level and stature as Nehru.
Needless to say,historical evidence shows and oral traditions support that Nehru became the first choice of the Mahatma for the coveted position of the P.M.of Aazad Hindustan at the stroke of Midnight.
9) Even if his nocturnal experiments with young female relatives or Noakhali happened at the brink of disaster, leading to unbearable partition of the country, and widely reported economic philosophy and diplomatic inputs of Gandhi did not see the light of the day, overall contribution of “Porbander Ka Sant ” in liberating us from the clutches of foreign rule must never be doubted. It is something akin to a Gospel’s Truth.Having a debate, none of us can prevent.
10) In the post independence period, the Iron man of Indian Politics was relegated to the background of playing the second fiddle as new Home Minister. His onerous task was to win over some Muslim ruled Princely States,a responsibility that became synonymous with Uniflcation of the Country.
The greatest Barrister cum first recognized Peasant leader of Bharat Varsha rightly lived upto the promise of unifying and maintaining the spirit of just passed by Gulaam Bharat within the available, if not assumed limits of perseverance and tolerance.
Drawing Parellel ?
11) At the same time,it is honestly felt that Sardar’s stature should not be equated through the tallest statue vis a vis Vigin Mary.That may perhaps give sleepless nights to numerous international level freedom fighters inside their graves.
A man or woman begins by taking birth from a divine mother, to grow slowly by sucking the pious milk (collastum) from her, so an anology of present kind concerning Sardar Patel vs Virgin Mary may not have guts to justify those recording history or the political undercurrents.
12) To slightly digress, one thing is becoming somewhat clear that one should not impose nationalistic feelings in a situation when the very basis of a national character is conspicuous by its absence. Needless to say, young and devastated nations such as, Germany,Japan, Singapore, or Israel could instill the required sense of nationalist feelings faily early and this must have ensured their rapid economic growth.
Do we still at this stage, try to inculcate an urge for national character among the countrymen ? It may benefit or not but it will certainly NOT result into loss.
The Post First and second wave Covid stage is the right time to think,introspect and act for a true nation in the 75th Year. It may perhaps be the true tribute to the ideals and teachings of the Mahatma.
13) To proceed closer to end,barely after 75 years one can not and must not try to reach Moon or Mars,all of a sudden. Making a concerted endeavour should not be construed as a specimen of utopian way of thinking. We shall have to move much ahead of talking about Aryabhatt,Charak,Chanakya,Ramanujam or Patanjali,and take pride in our recent achievements amid suspicion or doubts pertaining to our civilization,as per Western financial”Experts”or neo- Philosophers.
14) After all, with umpteen limitations and mainly demographic constraints,we are not only developing but growing faster than many so called developed nations and that temporary threats, such as, Covid or unforeseen natural calamities, leading to anxiety sort of situation may not and should not deter our firm convictions.
Whether at this late stage,we become Hindu like Nepal or Islamic like Saudi Arabia or Indonesia or Pakistan, that should not be a priority item.
We have lived and thrived under the time tasted garb of a Socialist, Democratic and Secular Republic.It should see us through the almost bi polar and murky waters of World politics.
Gandhism not Gandhian Socialism as mis-interpreted, may give us the needed stregth to swim further without aligning with any powerful block or a block gradually dis integrating under it’s own lofty ideals,once applicable during the post World War era.
14)Prior to lifting the mouse, Gandhi jee, subsequent to advocating the cause of Truth,Non violence, Passive Resistance and Self Sudhikaran, made clear the distinction between the Means and the Ends. It is the means that justify the ends. It can not be other way round.
While re-iterating it, let us also continue to have a demarcation between Need and the Greed, especially during Navratas & other festivities, when tons of food items will simply go down the drains.
Suppressing the fear and intimidation factor and reign of terror, the World over through Gandhian methods also may have to be attempted to. Of course, the complicated modus operandi of the times has to be taken into account.
Common man, by regaining confidence and stamina should try for a deadline for actual reforms.Our thinking, assessing and acting patterns must also undergo a change,at the same time.
Then only the call of SAB JAN HITAAY, SAB JAN SUKHAY can become a Reality.
Apostles of Saint of Porbander , Are you listening or you may prefer to wind up this universe by further stressing upon the application of unsustainable means of development ?
OM SHANTI
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
