The day of Gandhi's martyrdom is also observed as Anti-Leprosy Day.Even in those days Gandhi nursed few leprosy patients shunned by the world at Sabarmati ashram.In the last six decades India has made a lot of progress towards achieving the goal of elimination of Leprosy.But much needs to be done in spreading awareness about the disease and changing the attitudes of people towards the affected.
Overcoming the stigma of Leprosy
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/30/stories/2008013054801000.htm
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Gandhi and Machines
Gandhi's had certain misgivings on the mass production through machinery. Gandhi was not opposed to machines as such. To a question whether he was opposed to machines he answered in the following way:
"How can I be when I know that even this body is a most delicate piece of machinery? the spinning wheel is a machine, a little toothpick is a machine. What I object to is the craze for machinery, not machinery as such. The craze is for what they call labour-saving machinery. Men go on "saving labour" till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation.I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind but for all. I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in hands of all. Today machinery merely helps a few to ride on the backs of millions"
Gandhi's views on machinery evolved over time. From time immemorial Indian villages remained self-sufficient. Indian textiles made by artisans acquired fame all over the world and its not an exaggeration to say that India dominated the trade in this part of the world. Under the colonial rule, this village economy gradually collapsed under the British Land revenue and Commercial policies. India was made a net exporter of raw materials to British industries. Indian exports were discouraged and machine made goods from Britain were given duty free access. Rail lines were laid between ports and hinterland for free movement of raw material and imported goods. Indian artisans couldn't withstand the dumping of machine made goods. Coupled with commercialization of agriculture, the ruining of village cottage industries made the life of rural population miserable. The ‘Economic critique of colonial rule’ provided Dadabhai Naoroji, R C Dutt and others in late 19th century sowed the seeds of nationalist movement in later years.
Gandhi had an open mind but he had firm beliefs. He revised his beliefs over time. Criticizing Gandhi that he was against industrialization by quoting his book 'Hind Swaraj' written in early 1900s makes little sense. One has to understand the context and the then prevailing conditions.
Gandhi once said, let the windows remain open and let the air (ideas or thoughts) flow freely from outside but don't loose your ground in the flow. Everything said by Gandhi may not be relevant today. We need to take in to account the changes that have taken place. Still his words- ‘let the air flow in but not loose the ground’ are relevant to India in the present age of globalization, liberalization of economy and growing rich-poor divide .His ideas on village cottage industries will remain relevant for addressing the current rural distress and for bridging the Urban-Rural divide.
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Man and Machine
http://die_meistersinger.tripod.com/gandhi5.html
(All Men Are Brothers: Life and Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi as told in his own words compiled and edited by Krishna Kripalani.)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Story of Mahatma's Attire
Gandhiji, during his visit to Madurai stayed in the residence of Sri Ramji Kalyanji, 175-A, West Masi Street, Maduraiwho respectfully invited him to his house, on 21.09.1921. During his stay there at night he was mentally agitated and worried to think of the various farmers and poor people on his way dressed in scarce cloths that is only a small towel like dhothi around the waist and were shivering with cold, while he was wearing long turbans khurtha and dhoties.
So overnight he took a decision that he should be a model to everyone and to dress in a simple manner like the peasants and poor people he witnessed in his journey to Madurai and he carried out this from the very next day itself. On 22-09-1921 (the next day) morning all were shocked to see him in his new pattern of dress and Gandhiji explained them about his decision and he followed this throughout his life. Then he attended the meetings in Madurai (The place now called as Gandhi Pottal) at 0700 hrs, explaining the reason for his new mode of dress therein. Then he attended the meeting at Karaikudi and returned to his destination.Madurai stands as the starting place for his new mode of dress at the residence of Sri Ramji Kalyanji at 175-A, West Masi Street, as a proof for it even today. At Railway Station also is a board stating about Gandhiji's visit and change of his dress pattern.
http://www.madurai.com/mahatma.htm
Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai http://www.gandhimmm.org/
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