Gandhi remains relevant even today: Harivansh
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, said that Mahatma Gandhi had introduced the concept of Swadeshi much before its time, and it has been one of our greatest mistakes that we failed to adopt it when it mattered most. Harivansh was speaking as the Chief Guest at the release of the coffee table book “Gandhi: Ahimsa Ke Yodha ke Sachitra Jeevan Yatra”, published by the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, at Gandhi Smriti.
The book has been authored by former Union Minister and Vice Chairman of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Vijay Goel. Senior educationist and social worker Mukul Kanitkar and Director, India Habitat Centre, Professor KG Suresh were present on the occasion as Special Guests.
Harivansh said that during Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal, under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation has remembered and honoured many freedom fighters. While several individuals contributed to India’s freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi held a central and leading place among them.
Emphasising Gandhi’s contemporary relevance, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha said that Gandhi remains as relevant today as ever, and that his economic model should have been adopted much earlier. He added that to build a better future for the country, Gandhian values must be inculcated in children from an early age.
He congratulated Shri Vijay Goel and Gandhi Smriti for bringing out a pictorial and fact-based book on Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Goel said that Mahatma Gandhi consistently taught the principles of truth, non-violence, service, sacrifice, and cleanliness, and more importantly, practised these ideals throughout his life.
Goel said that the younger generation today needs to learn from Gandhi’s ideas, and this book has been prepared keeping that very need in mind. “The true purpose of this book,” he said, “is not merely to read Gandhi, but to imbibe and practice his ideals in our daily lives.”
Mukul Kanitkar, in his address, observed that people often form opinions about Mahatma Gandhi without truly understanding him. In such a context, he said, an authentic and well-researched book like this is essential for genuinely knowing Gandhi.
Professor KG Suresh said that Mahatma Gandhi had famously asserted that peace is not the weapon of the weak but of the strong. He added that the Indian tradition has always aspired for global peace, and Gandhi stood as one of its foremost standard-bearers.
