Finding Relevance of Gandhian Values in Today’s World
Tuesday, 28 April 2009, 12:43 p.m.
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| From Right: Eminent Gandhians Narendra Dubey, Ramesh Bhai and Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche taking part in the inaugural session of the three-day deliberations on Mahatma Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj in Gangchen Kyishong, on 28 April 2009 |
Dharamshala:
Followers of Mahatma Gandhi from across India have gathered in
Dharamshala to analyse and find ways to revive and bring into relevance
Gandhian thoughts and values in today’s world, which has been
overwhelmed by materialism and human greed.
The deliberation aims to evoke the Gandhian values as an alternative
solution to the human beings negative tendency for exploitation,
violence and greed.
The three-day camp is being organised by Braha Vidya Mandir based in
the south Indian state of Maharashtra to mark the centenary celebration
of Hind Swaraj (Home Rule), written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1909. Mahatma
Gandhi wrote the book while returning from London on the ship Kildonon
Castle. He wrote as if he was possessed by some spirit. Hind Swaraj was
written in 9 days. He was so possessed that he had to use both his
hands to write, when his right hand got tired he started writing with
the left.
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Around 32 participants, including Gandhians from Gujarat, Uttar
Pradesh, Madya Pradesh and Uttrachand and staff of Central Tibetan
Administration are attending the camp.
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan
Administration, who is a renowned proponent of Mahatma Gandhi’s
principles, presided over the inaugural session of interaction among
the Gandhians.
Kalon Tripa dwelt on the essence of Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts expressed
in the most precise, comprehensive, and condensed form in Hind Swaraj.
He said people might not have grasp the essence of Mahatma Gandhi’s message when he wrote the Hind Swaraj.
But the advent of rapid industralisation in the mad pursuit of
achieving economic prosperity, human beings’ need of basic neccessities
turned into their insatiable desire to acquire more. This in turn put
an enormous pressure on the world as people increased exploitation of
natural resources and environment to meet human greed, Kalon Tripa said.
The impact of the mad pursuit of making wealth was clearly felt in
countries like China and Russia, which underpin their ideology on
socialism, surrended to capitalist system of governance. The invasion
of Tibet by the Communist-led Chinese government was triggered by the
new world order based on capitalism and expansionism, Kalon Tripa
further said.
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In an era when the globalisation of blind materialism has proven its
destructive propensity, the key to real peace, harmony and prosperity
lies in Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj. The study and deeper contemplation
on Hind Swaraj is essential to salvage humanity, Kalon Tripa added.
It is in Hind Swaraj that the symbiotic connections among all our
private and corporate economic, political, cultural and spiritual
dimensions of life are found in a profound vision and philosophy of a
moral order of life, Kalon Tripa said.
If the present generation feel the need to keep something for
posterity, the relevance of Gandhian values of morality and
self-restraint as envisioned in Hind Swaraj becomes most pertinent in
today’s world, Kalon Tripa added.
At the request of the participants, Kalon Tripa devoted the afternooon
session on Tibet’s past, present and future. He spoke in detail about
historical relationship between India and Tibet based on religion,
culture and language.
During the course of the camp, followers of Gandhi, including Mahendra
Bhai, Ramesh Bhai, Narendra Dubey, Dr Pushpendra Dubey, Shatrugan Bhai
Jha, Vimala Bahen and Jyoti Bahen, will speak on Gandhian perspectives
on education, railways, health, Satyagraha, modern civilization,
religious tolerance, human religion and experiences.
