Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (2ⁿᵈ October, 1869 – 30ᵗʰ January, 1948), popularly known as Bapu, led the movement against the British rule of India. He is considered the father of the nation and is a well-known name internationally for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress. Bapu’s struggle culminated in India’s Independence on 15ᵗʰ August, 1947. Bapu strived to lead the country to not just political independence but to a better India and a society free of caste, religious, economic and gender prejudices.

The occasion of 150ᵗʰ birth anniversary celebrations reminds the humanity of the efficacy of the message of Bapu. Bapu’s lessons are relevant in every policy of the country such as Swachh Bharat, rights of women and children and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, health and well-being of the Indian farmer and the Indian villages.

Government of India decided to commemorate the 150ᵗʰ birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, at national and international level to propagate his message. A National Committee (NC) headed by Hon’ble President of India was constituted for this purpose. This Committee includes Hon’ble Vice-President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all states of the country, representatives from across the political spectrum, Gandhians, thinkers, and eminent persons from all walks of life. An Executive Committee (EC) headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister with 19 members has also been constituted. Mandate of Executive Committee is to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the commemoration and chalk out the plan, programmes and activities under the commemoration.

Bapu’s contribution to the system of nature cure in India is immense. He was a fervent practitioner of naturopathy all through his life. In 1932, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta met Bapu in Bombay (as it was then known) upon the latter’s invitation. This meeting led to a lifelong association and Dr. Mehta remained Bapu’s personal nature cure physician for life. Bapu founded the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust in 1945. He believed that nature cure means a change for the better in one’s outlook on life itself and regulation of one’s life in accordance with the laws of health.

A healthy lifestyle envisaged by Bapu comprises harmony amongst three dimensions – the intra-personal, the inter-personal and the environmental/cosmic. “The Earth has enough resources for our need but not for our greed.” Bapu’s concern for maintaining ecological balance and environment is perhaps best captured in the preceding quote. His concern about the environment and ecological impact of urbanization was evident in his speeches and writings.

The idea of Atma-nirbharta or self-reliance has its origins in Bapu’s concept of a self-reliant India, the foundation of his Swadeshi philosophy. Bapu emphasized the idea of self-sufficient village economy. He opined that all goods and services necessary for residents of a village should be available within the village. Bapu stressed on nurturing rural industries including handlooms and handicrafts.

Bapu was convinced that education can play an effective role in developing a wholesome human personality capable of resisting war, violence, injustice and oppression and building a social order wherein man can live in peace and harmony with others. He concentrated on an education that could draw out the best in the child—body, mind and spirit—for developing a peace loving human personality. Bapu believed that education is closely associated with the socio-economic development of the society. He advocated a scheme for basic education in which vocational training or work experience is of utmost importance.