Gandhi’s philosophy can be used to address today’s global concerns
ARUN KUMAR JOSHI
Even after so many years, Gandhiji’s beliefs continue to enlighten both India and the rest of the globe. His political accomplishments gave us independence. Thus, in order to live a happy, prosperous, healthy, peaceful, and sustainable existence, every person should adhere to the core Gandhian ideologies.
Mahatama Gandhi’s relevance in the world is immortal. Gandhi’s freedom movement became a torch bearer for many countries which were fighting against colonial foreign rules and slavery. After India got freedom in 1947 British European faced protests against them in the colonies they occupied and finally freed them in Asia ,Africa and Latin America. Most the countries tried Gandhisn way of freedom movement and liberated themselves to become free nation.
Two years ago I came across a news paper photo in Germany where people in a rally were carrying Gandhi’s photos protesting for their demands. Gandhi will always be a light house to the world for non violent movements. I had coverd Non Alligned Summits in India and abroad four times. There I met many leaders who shared their experiences of freedom movements inspired by Gandhi. I traveled African countries like Namibia and Zimbabw and other Latin American countries.
I was surprised to see Gandhi’s statutes in the capitals of those countries. I don’t know in the present scenario of hate and destroying the history of freedom movement or its wrong interpretation when Indians will realise that till date Gandhi is the Only global Indian figure worshipped by the world.One can try to change or create the history but no one can ever no one can ever erase the chronicles of history. Gandhi’s nonviolent freedom movement impressed the African Nations most who carried his ideals in fight against colonial rules.
Many Great African Countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana got freedom from apartheid tyrant European Colonial regime after a long struggle movements led by their fathers of nations. Great Julius Nyerere led a long movement against British colonial rule in Tangayanika founding Tangayanika African National Union to achieve the aim of freedom.After Zanzibar revolution both lands joined together to emerge as Tanzania on world map. While writing this note I miss my Tanzanian Freind John Hangoo who was head of Swahili broadcast in All India Radio and lived Delhi for 30 years. Then he left for Dares salam.
In South Africa, Colonial British Regime was forced to give power to aboriginals after a long freedom movement led by great African icon Nelson Mandela who spent 27 years in jail. He stands tall as Gandhi. In Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta led the masses for years in freedom movement against British. After freedom Country was named as Kenya that was earlier known as British East India.
Zambia was another British ruled Colony in name of Northern Rhodesia. Son the soil Kenneth Kaunda formed Zambian National African Congress and led a long freedom movement till independence. Dr Sam Nujoma is a very respected icon of freedom movement in African continent who led a long freedom movement in Namibia against South Africa’s White Colonial regime. Nujoma led the Southwest African People’s Organization (SWAPO) from exile for almost 30 years
The freedom struggle went on from 1962 to 1989 When freedom was achieved. The country was earlier known as South West Africa. This revolutionary led a gurriella war against apartheid. I was lucky to cover his Press conferences during NAM and CHOGM Summits in New Delhi. I never knew that I would visit the Namibian Capital Windhoek in 1994 famous for its Kalahari desert.
Robert Mugabe led the long civil Revolution against apartheid colonial regime in Southern Rhodesia which is now known as Zimbabwe. A great Public orator Mugabe played a very active role in NAM. A travel to Zimbabwean capital Harare was a lovely experience. We saw their vibrant markets business centers and big temples made and managed by Gujaratis who arrived there 150 years ago. Though Mugabe became controversial in last days but this can reduce importance of his Colossus work as leader of freedom movement.
Kwame Nkrumah led people’s movement freedom in his country called Golf Coast against white Colonial regime. After freedom name of Gold Coast was changed to Ghana on west coast of African Continent. Nkrumah was a tall figure remained associated with helm of Affaires of NAM at par with Pt Nehru, Abdul Hamal Nasser, Marshal Tito.
All of them were educated in the UK or European Universities and returned to native lands and launched freedom movements like Mahatma Gandhi. In all the Countries people honored them with Father Of The Nation Titles. They all were elected rulers of their countries and remained Presidents or Prime Ministers for long years. They all became world icon against racial discrimination and apartheid. Lastly all of them were greatly influenced and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and his freedom movement and launched the revolutions his ways.
(Writer is senior Journalist based in DELHI)
