The Forgotten Saint

Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi is
probably the most coveted name of the millennium. He was not a person but a Mahatma
who devoted his lifetime for the service of his motherland and humanity. He was
a true patron of Non-violence and showed to the world, how battles can be won
by the peaceful weapons of ‘Ahimsa’. We remember Gandhiji as a saint who loved
mankind and discouraged all forms of social taboos and injustices. He organized
peaceful protests against the British and instilled a sense of self belief in
the Indians to fight for their rights.

As a person and as a leader he
was respected globally whether it was the revolutionaries, world leaders or
even the British. Scripting his achievements and greatness is an uphill task,
something which would require many volumes and a great many scholars and
historians. But while all is said about the great soul, it is very unfortunate and
requires immediate attention that the youth of India no more respect the father of
our nation. They remember him just as a figure hanging on the walls of police
stations and public offices. Their rising attraction towards war and other
forms of violence indicate murder of all the principles and values that
Gandhiji taught us. Many even criticize Gandhiji for his role during the partition
of India
in 1947 and hold him responsible for the bloody division. But those making such
allegations are probably ignorant of the stature of the man.

It was the communal politics
played by some religious fanatics which lead to the sad partition provoking
perennial hatred among people of the Hindu and the Muslim community. People
like Jinnah were responsible for the scourage which left bitter memoirs among
the two religious communities who had lived together for centuries.

But even today, especially the
youth criticize Gandhiji for his role during the partition and blame him for
being pseudo-secular. But they are ignorant of the four great personal losses
suffered by Gandhiji just weeks before partition.

The first one of them was Gurudev
Ravindranath Tagore who was a great friend and mentor of the mahatma. His
departure to the heavenly abode was a huge loss to Gandhiji and especially at a
time when the nation was at war and badly needed the wisdom of men like Tagore.
But this was not the end. Next, Gandhiji lost his dearest friend Charlie who
was probably the only living person on earth to address Gandhiji by his name
“Mohan”. Gandhiji always discussed with Charlie matters which were very close
to his heart and which no other person understood better.

As if these two losses were not
enough, a third blow hit him hard. This time it was his personal secretary who
was also a close friend of the Mahatma. Finally, Mahatma Gandhi lost his better
half Kasturba, which completely scattered him.

But even with such grave losses,
the Mahatma rose to the occasion like a Phoenix for
the love of his motherland and took decisions which shaped India’s
history. No other person could have stood as the mahatma stood; no other person
could have borne what the mahatma had borne. Gandhiji was unfazed by the
circumstances which came his way and fought like a true champion. Such was the
greatness of the man which places him above all in India’s history of great hero’s. So
instead of making baseless and hollow allegations, the youth of India should
consider Gandhiji as their ideal figure and emulate his principals in their
lives. Today the world doesn’t need violence but we need to step into the shoes
of Gandhiji to bring peace and succor to the world which is ailing under the
pressure of violence and hatred. By following the Gandhian principals we can
make this world a better place to live in.

-
Abhijeet Jaiswal.