That G20 leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and UN Secretary General António Guterres, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat during the recently held G20 concluding event is enough proof to show the relevance of the Mahatma in today’s war and strife-torn world!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had received the global leaders at the rain-soaked Rajghat and then welcomed the dignitaries with an ‘angvastram’ (stole) with an image of Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, which was his home from 1917 to 1930 and served as one of the main centres of India’s freedom struggle, in the background.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen explaining to the leaders the significance of the ashram. The G20 leaders paid tributes to Gandhi by laying wreaths at his samadhi. Later, Modi said in a post on X that at the iconic Rajghat, the G20 family paid homage to Gandhi – the beacon of peace, service, compassion and non-violence.
“As diverse nations converge, Gandhiji’s timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future,” he wrote.
On October 2, 2023, PM Modi reached Rajghat at 7.30 am to pay his respects to the Mahatma. After that he wrote on X, “I bow to Mahatma Gandhi on the special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. His timeless teachings continue to illuminate our path. Mahatma Gandhi’s impact is global, motivating the entire humankind to further the spirit of unity and compassion.”
“May we always work towards fulfilling his dreams. May his thoughts enable every youngster be (sic) the agent of change he dreamt of, fostering unity and harmony all over,” Modi posted on X on Monday.
The PM also posted a video of German singer Cassandra Mae’s rendition of Gandhi’s favourite prayer ‘Vaishnava Jana To’, saying his thoughts strike a chord with people all around the world. Urging people to hear her soulful rendition, Modi noted that he had mentioned the young singer, who is visually impaired, in his recent ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast.
In this article, we strive to depict how truly the Mahatma has been the beacon for India globally…
On June 23, 2023… The Indian prime minister was given the honour to address the joint meeting of the US Congress for a second time and his speech had received thunderous applause with 15 standing ovations. Earlier, such honours were given to Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.
Apart from other topical issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that he spoke about the vitality and importance of democracy, a topic he also spoke of during his joint press conference with US President Joe Biden earlier during the day and he also paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr for their contribution towards “liberty, equality and justice”, Modi in the US Congress said, “Democracy is one of their sacred and shared values.”
Probably, the Mahatma’s concept of ahimsa and satyagraha has been well projected by India worldwide by its deeds and words during and post-pandemic to also portray further to the world that India is an ancient land of thinkers and sages and especially during the recently concluded G20 the world saw how the Global South’s position in the talks helped prevent the G20 agenda from being overshadowed by Ukraine, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, “India has truly consolidated G20 members from the Global South.”
The developed nations, post-G20 give much importance to India’s endeavour in pursuing peace and believe that the country has much to offer to the world especially in the current scenario. Also, it is a pious land where Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism were born.
Mahatma-related issues are often a vital part of PM Modi’s major itineraries especially on foreign soil. During his visit to Rome in 2021, he had tweeted: “In Rome, I had the opportunity to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideals give courage and inspiration to millions globally.”
In Hiroshima in July, where he was to attend the G7 outreach meeting, PM Modi had unveiled a bust of Gandhi. Hiroshima, where the US had dropped an atomic bomb just before World War II ended, was a befitting place to have a bust for someone who preached non-violence all his life!
In a recent episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, PM Modi appealed for “one hour of shramdaan (voluntary labour) for swachhata” on October 1 by all citizens, saying it would be a “swachhanjali” to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birth anniversary.
Meanwhile, invoking the concept of ‘Ram Rajya’, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to X, urging everyone to embrace the values of truth, non-violence, love and cleanliness as they strive for the country and society’s continuous development.
“Humble tribute to the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Best wishes to the people of the state on ‘International Day of Non-Violence’. On this auspicious occasion, let us resolve to continuously move forward in the development of the country and society with the concept of ‘Ram Rajya’ by imbibing the values of truth, non-violence, love and cleanliness,” the UP CM wrote.
Given the Ukraine conflict and the pandemic and the post-pandemic scenario, The Mahatma’s relevance in modern times, most think, has increased. It is time the world sat up and read Gandhiji once more, especially his thoughts and pearls of wisdom on non-violence and pacifism to realise that non-violence is a more powerful tool than weapons of mass destruction.
International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It was established on June 15, 2007, according to United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271. The day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence…through education and public awareness…and reaffirm the desire for a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.
In 2014, when PM Narendra Modi came to power, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or the Clean India mission was launched by him on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
The aim was to eliminate unhygienic practices like open defecation and promote proper solid waste management, construction of toilets at homes as well as at community levels.
What Gandhiji said on cleanliness
“Sanitation is more important than independence. So long as you do not take the broom and the bucket in your hands, you cannot make your towns and cities clean.” – Mahatma Gandhi
What PM Modi said
“It is our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji’s vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.”- Narendra Modi
BESIDES INDIA…
The French Embassy in India tweeted, “On #GandhiJayanti, Ambassador-designate Thierry Mathou and everyone at the French Embassy pay tribute to the Mahatma and the values of peace, tolerance and non-violence that he staunchly upheld. Gandhiji is deeply admired in France, as reflected in statues in Strasbourg and Vauréal.”
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said he is “deeply moved by” Gandhi’s “enduring legacy”. Sharing a few photographs from his visit to Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, he tweeted, “His message of non-violence remains a beacon of hope for equality and justice worldwide. Gandhi’s profound influence on Dr Martin Luther King and the US civil rights movement reminds us of the power of his ideals.”
(The writer is a Senior Journalist and former Senior Associate Editor, O Heraldo)
