“Is Mahatma Gandhi Relevant in Today’s World?” – Professor M.S.Rao

"Future generations would wonder if such a person really walked this earth in flesh and blood" – Einstein

Every year on October 02 we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and recall his principles and philosophies. How far his principles are relevant today is a matter of debate. Whether Gandhi lives in the hearts of people is another debatable issue. Hence, it is time to take stock of the situation, his principles and relevance in the current context.

After the assassination of Gandhi many people felt that Gandhi would be forgotten soon and his ideologies would fade away. But it is a fact that Gandhi and Gandhism still lives both in the hearts and minds of not only Indians but also across the people globally. When leaders like Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Aung San Suu Kyi follow the principles of Gandhi it is very clear that his ideologies have still relevance even today even after many years of his death.

Gandhi – A Servant Leader

"You will find yourself in service to your fellow man, your country, and your God." - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi was a servant leader who spent his entire life serving people to bring freedom to India. He underwent lot of trials and tribulations during his lifetime by spending his time in jail. He dedicated his life for the cause of India’s independence. He became a symbol of love with a servant’s heart. He emphasized on the dignity of labor who wanted to put an end to untouchability. He was an example for all of us who led from front with simplicity and humility. He was both a transformational leader and servant leader. As leadership is a not popularity contest and is a job with a responsibility involving both bouquets and brickbats he received both praise and criticism during his lifetime.

Does Gandhi Live in the Hearts of Indians?

Yes there is no doubt that! Gandhi lives in the hearts of Indians as it has been reflected time and again politicians and social activists getting support when they adopt Gandhi’s tenets of peace and non-violence. The recent Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption is an example to prove. The support to Anna Hazare is an indication that Gandhi lives in the hearts of the people. It is not the Anna who got the support from people but it is Gandhi who got support. It is not Anna’s methods that got support but Gandhi’s methods of non-violence and Satyagraha. It substantiates the truth that Gandhi lives in the hearts of people.

He is not only a national leader but also an international leader who influenced many including 5 Nobel laureates for Peace – Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Barack Obama. Gandhi remains relevant not only now but in future and as long as civilization exists. People have to live with peace and prosperity. They have to live with fraternity and brotherhood and which is possible only through Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, peace and love.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

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