IS GANDHI RELEVANT ?--An article by R Natarajan

                                          IS GANDHI RELEVANT ...?

" Is Gandhi relevant?-" 

Before coming out with an answer, let us consider the following questions: 

Is truth relevant? 

Is love relevant?

Is virtue relevant ?

Is righteousness relevant?

If the answer to each one of these is an emphatic 'yes' ,then the answer to "Is Gandhi relevant? cannot be any different.

Gandhi's relevance lies in the fact that he was not just another empty preacher who simply expected others to blindly follow his teachings. On the contrary ,he sincerely and scrupulously practised whatever he preached. In fact, he had many pitfalls,faced embarrassing situations, swallowed insults, experienced hardships and struggled throughout his life to uphold his cherished ideals.His teachings were the outcome of his experiences in life. No wonder his messages of love,tolerance,ahimsa,simplicity and truth are as relevant today as they were during his time.

Food,clothing and shelter continue to be the basic wants of human race from time immemorial to to this modern age. Though they have undergone many changes with the passage of time,their importance as the basic requirements remains unchanged. In a similar fashion, fundamental values of life have successfully stood the tests of time and the vagaries of human beliefs and notions.Since Gandhi's philosophy is firmly rooted to these fundamental tenets of humanistic values, it is relevant at all times and in all ages.

Truth was his religion,simplicity was his strength,love was his creed,non-violence was his weapon and spirituality was his shield. Gandhi does not claim to be an "Avatar" or a "Messiah" who came to this world to spread religious gospels. He was a simple and ordinary mortal like any one of us. But he rose to great heights by his will-power and his adherence to the path of truth at any cost. Thus an "atma" became a "Mahatma" by the force of character and the strength of spiritual power. His life was his message ,which shines like a pole star guiding people in life's journey. 

The 'kettle' incident at school, the effect of the plays 'Shravana Pitrubhakti' and 'Harishchandra" on him , his acts indiscretion and atonement, the three vows he took before leaving for England, his experiences in South Africa, the uphill tasks he faced in freedom struggle and the pains of partition---all these and many such will serve as examples for generations to come. They instill hope and courage that even an ordinary person can display noble qualities provided  he has the conviction,courage and determination.In fact, charcoals can turn into diamonds .

The very fact that he is remembered ,respected and revered even today-after decades of his departure clearly goes to prove that he represents everlasting human values .