The living Gandhi
Author: Tara Sethia and Anjana Narayan,
Publisher: Penguin Rs399
Mahatma Gandhi’s definition of nation, Swaraj, Ahimsa and civilisation — the core concepts discussed in the text — hold answers to modern day challenges the nation is facing, says PRAMOD PATHAK
Is Gandhi relevant todayIJ This question keeps cropping up time and again even as models of governance are being tried, tested and in many cases rejected in the search for a good paradigm. The present volume edited by Tara Sethia and Anjana Narayan is a collection of 14 essays written by eminent Gandhian scholars, including well-known names such as Samdhong Rinpoche, Rajmohan Gandhi, Anil Sadgopal and Rajni Bakshi. The volume of essays is the culmination of the international conference hosted by the Ahimsa Centre at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, US, in 2008. The centre established in 2004 is dedicated to creating a culture of non-violence and peace through various programmes and activities.
The conference of 2008, which laid the foundation of this absorbing collection of essays, focused on rediscovering the wisdom of Gandhi, who was a pioneer of non-violent change. The living Gandhi is a great refresher of tested and enduring ideas of Gandhi and presents a relevant model for the future. It is an inspiring volume that presents unique insights from leading international scholars, activists, educators and thought leaders on the contemporary relevance of Gandhi’s ideas and actions.
The sum and substance of this volume is given in these lines in the introduction written by Sethia. “Gandhi appears to capture the imagination of Indians in a new way. He is not only represented in currency, statues, posters and T-shirts, but also in new media and new ways,” she writes. Yes, Gandhi is very much alive in India and a vivid representation of this axiomatic truth was made in the popular Bollywood movie, lage Raho Munna Bhai, which reinvented him for the common man.
The essays attempt to present the varied yet integrated view of Gandhi’s multi-faceted personality. It is rightly mentioned in the introduction chapter by Sethia that “in advocating a balanced pursuit of material and moral values, Gandhi offered a therapeutic solution to the crisis of modern civilisation”.
Gandhi’s idea of civilisation was that it should be characterised by good conduct and enable one to master one’s passions and observe one’s duties. Gandhi’s definition of nation, Swaraj, Ahimsa and civilisation — the core concepts discussed in the text — hold answers to modern day challenges the nation is facing.
While all the essays are rich in content and of contemporary significance, a few need special mention. The bed rock of Gandhi’s philosophy was his idea of Hind Swaraj. The first part of this volume, ‘The wisdom of Hind Swaraj’, is a discussion through four essays authored by Anthony Parel, llyod and Susanne Rudolphy, Mira Kamdar and Rinpoche. Parel’s ‘How relevant is Hind Swaraj to today’s India’ offers a lucid explanation of the concept.
Part II of the volume talks about the wisdom of non-violence though three essays by Akeel Bilgrami, Raj Mohan Gandhi and Charles DiSalvo. It was realising this wisdom of non-violence that the United Nations declared October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007. Gandhi was an enigma, and understanding his philosophy would require a pure and open mind. Rightly has it been said by Akeel Bilgrami in the chapter ‘Gandhi, the philosopher’ that “it is generally foolhardy to write about Gandhi not only because you are never certain you have got him right, but because you are almost sure to have him wrong”. No wonder it took several decades for the United Nations to realise the significance of non-violence.
The third and fourth part of the volume contain essays related to more mundane aspects of the Gandhian wisdom and talk about his lessons on leadership, economics, environment and justice. The seven essays in these two parts are pearls of Gandhian wisdom whose application can help create a just and moral social order. Gandhi’s view on ethical business leadership, socially responsible investment and entrepreneurship hold the key to India’s growth and development.
In fact, Gandhi’s ideas are a practical toolkit for establishing an equitable and harmonious world order. The irony is that these are applied in piecemeal and hence ineffective. The western concept of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development are essentially rooted in Gandhian philosophy, but the Indian society fails to realise this and looks toward western models for its problems.
For the world mired in hatred, violence and insecurity, Gandhi’s ideas can provide the prescription of love, harmony and tranquility — leading to sustainable prosperity rather than lopsided development.
A must read for policy-makers and thought leaders, the volume can serve as a rich and enduring reference text. Summing it up with a quote by Sir Francis Bacon: “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested.” This volume falls in the last category.