Gandhi and his philosophy mean different things to different people. SANGEETA YADAV talks to some celebrities to garner their opinion on the relevance of the Mahatma in times that are so violent and so different from what bapu wanted
Be the change you want to see
One of the most important things Gandhiji has ever said is “Be the change you wish to see in the world! You can’t expect others to change and make a difference if you don’t do it yourself. Be it the way you treat people, the environment, animals or how you deal with corruption, you have to set an example yourself. Ahimsa is respect towards all living things and the avoidance of violence because Gandhiji believed in a gentle way you could shake the world. After all, in a conflict, it is the innocent that suffers the most.
— Sophie Choudry, actress, singer and former VJ
Stay grounded & be Truthful
The two pillars of Gandhism are truth and non-violence. For me, both holds an important role in my life. Being truthful has been intrinsic to me. Truth is something I have been taught since my childhood. I was always encouraged to speak it even if it is something wrong I have done. This facet has also helps me keep grounded as I understand everything that is happening around me.
I have never been punished for speaking the truth and I would definitely urge the youth of today to also follow the same philosophy.
— Singer & music composer Arjun Kanungo
learn as if you were to live forever
Mahatma Gandhi once said: “live as if you were to die tomorrow. learn as if you were to live forever.” I live by these principles in life. There’s an ever-lasting thirst for learning something new and thanks to my profession, I learn every day on the job! And I do live to the fullest or at least try!
— Actor Aahana Kumra
Simplicity & self-sufficiency is key
For me, simplicity and self-sufficiency are two principles I follow. Keeping life simple is important as otherwise we tend to over think and complicate our own lives. I feel self-sufficiency is important so that we are not always expecting from others, rather expect only from yourself and give as much as you can without expecting In return.
— Actor Gautam Rode
First practice, then preach
Be the change you want to see is my favorite Gandhian philosophy. There’s a very sweet joke that a young teenager was reading the morning newspapers. He put it down disgusted with all he had just read and said to his mother: ‘Mom, I’m going to study Political Sciences, and I’m going to clean up the world!’ ‘That’s very good my son’ she said calmly adding ‘go upstairs and start with your room’ (laughs). Every time I get charged and want to go out there and change the world, I pause and remind myself, it needs to start from here and all fingers pointing at me. Gandhiji’s words: ‘Be the change you want to see’ puts me in place. It makes me realise that if something is hard for me to do then it is that much more challenging for others. So first practice, and then preach. When you make the change, the world around you automatically starts changing.
— Actress Juhi Chawla