Simple living, high thinking

Mona

Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth…said Albert Einstein for Mahatma Gandhi. On the 146th birth anniversary of the man who became instrumental in India’s freedom struggle, we share a quick chat with youngsters on the Panjab University campus to know is he is still the role model.

Contrary to the doubts that he is no more than a face on the currency, the young feel strongly about the influential political figure and views swing both ways. While a kid knows the lesson — bura na dekho, bura na suno, bura na kaho — comes from Gandhi; the young are impressed by his indomitable spirit, belief in the principle of non-violence, his simplicity, vision and more. Read on.

Made in India

Gandhi was true visionary. His emphasis on Swadeshi is what I feel is the need of the hour. He rightly predicted that in the coming times, we will be enslaved by technology and we see that happening now. Machinery should be mastered by us and not vice-versa. Aren’t we feeling the ill effects of this role reversal? We all take pride in deriding Ramdev and also for him starting Patanjali. But is this not Swadeshi? Investment, money remains in the country and what he is promoting is Swadeshi quality products. I guess we should care more about made in India and who else but Gandhi put us on this path.

Prashant Kalte, Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies

Relevant philosophy

Non-violence is one Gandhian principle that holds true even today. After so many wars, surfeit of nukes that we sit on, non-violence is the only and only way forward. What I really don’t appreciate is that Gandhi is always hailed as the champion of non-violence. However, he admitted that he would rather choose violence over cowardice. Sadly, it’s only in bits and pieces that we know the ‘Father of the Nation’. If you delve deep, there is way more which is totally relevant and valuable for the young fighting their own battles in independent India.

Harminder Singh, Department of

Education

Invincible spirit

Amongst the many things, what I value most is his invincible spirit. Look at the challenges he faced and the means he had, but yet he had his way. Compared to that, we have all the means to learn and grow, but still we feel constrained. Whenever I am down and out, I think of Gandhi. If he could move the British government with something as simple as Dandi March, we can aim for the stars.

Khushpreet Kaur, student, Hindi Department

Lots to learn

It is two principles that I have imbibed from Gandhi’s life. One is his simple living and high thinking philosophy and the other his love for literature. Gandhi was revered by the world and look at what he wore, ate or the way he lived! Early in my life, I promised myself that I would forever keep myself away from the materialistic rat race. And, Gandhi stressed on the role literature could play in an individual’s or a nation’s growth. Books are the light that brightens our otherwise dark existence.

Charan Jeet, student, Hindi Department

Nature first

It’s Gandhi’s insistence on maintaining the bond with nature that I really look up to. I belong to an agricultural family from Malot. And, I have always felt calm being one with nature. It’s never been more significant than today when technology dominates our life and lifestyle. Being one with the environment negates the effect of overt use of technology and helps one find a connect with the self and with humanity at large.

Reena Jhorar, Department of Education

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