Today, October 2, 2019, India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In honour of the Father of our Nation, many programmes have been organised all over the country. It is a great moment of pride for us Indians, as this great soul has inspired the whole world to live in peace and harmony. He taught us that we can attain peace only by practising Ahimsa and non-violence.
The Constitution of India gives the fundamental rights of equality, to every Indian. Mahatma Gandhi believed that we are all children of the same God and therefore we should not discriminate. It is sad, when we learn of widespread hatred crimes being committed on the basis of class, caste and creed. Such acts demonstrate that we Indians are yet to imbibe the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi in our lives.
As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi ‘Swachh Divas’ is observed on Gandhi Jayanti. A total ‘Swachh Bharat’ will happen, only when our own people and political leaders develop a ‘Swachh’ and ‘Svastha’ mind. The present day leaders of India earn fame and awards because of the ideals practised by Mahatma Gandhi, but they preach only the ideology of hatred and worship cowardly killers of Mahatma Gandhi. We have to be on our guard against such people who preach one thing and practise another thing.
Mahatma Gandhi was a great global leader, who lived an exemplary life which echoed his deeds. He was a staunch Hindu, yet he completely believed in secular India. He is the Mascot of Peace in the world, due to his fight against injustice and discrimination with the tools of Satyagraha and Ahimsa, He demonstrated to us that only through these instruments, peace will prevail and conflicts come to an end.
In India today, we observe how our leaders are making umpteen false promises to the masses, which they never intend to fulfill. Our political leaders must owe supreme loyalty to the country’s Constitutional values, to serve its citizens. But unfortunately for our great leaders, their party and self interest comes first before the Nation, followed by favouritism to their loyalists. The people who differ their views with the government are now targeted and labelled as anti- Nationals. Great leaders face criticism, they do not hold grudges and are not vindictive.
In December 1931, Mahatma Gandhi wrote these memorable words: “Though we sing – all glory to God on high and on Earth be peace – there seems to be today neither glory to God nor Peace on Earth.” How true are his words, even today we witness that the world is crying for peace.
Mahatma Gandhi liked Jesus Christ and the teachings from the Bible, but he did not like Christians, because he felt that the Christians were far away from the truth of the teachings of Christ. Today, the same thoughts and words resound in our minds, that we Indians come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi who preached and practised non-violence, peace and love. If we do not dedicate ourselves for the cause of peace and mutual tolerance, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on this day will be meaningless, irrelevant and incomplete.
