The great leader, who led the country to freedom 57 years back, who preached ahimsha, who said freedom achieved after shedding blood was not his choice is being remembered on his birth anniversary day today. Gandhi Jayenti is celebrated all over the country in keeping with his firm belief that cleanliness is next to godliness. He believed in equality among all people. He was one such leader, who thought power corrupts human mind. He was a fighter. He fought against the wrongs perpetrated by high and mighty groups against the poor and hapless people. All his agitations were for alleviation of the living conditions of the down trodden people. The former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao expressed the apprehension that just as Buddhism vanished from its own land Gandhism too may vanish from its own land. A time may come when Indians going abroad to study Gandhism. We cannot dishonour father of the nation by sidelining the principles of freedom and equality that he held high. As if his philosophies are not in conformity with the present time the modern day leaders have relegated all his teachings. The present day generations have forgotten as declared earlier by Einstein that Gandhiji lived in flesh and blood. Such a man, who adopted celibacy at the age of 36 experimented with the truth in his life. His life was an open book. There was nothing he hid and when died he left a pair of spectacles, a pair of shoes and a wrist watch as his belongings. He was against wastage of time and money. He used the back page of the letters and documents that he received in writing newspaper reports. He knew too much about the problems facing the women in the country so he emulated the simple housewife with the soldiers in the war field. He even slept in the colonies, where the lepers were residing. Long before medical science declared leprosy is not a communicable disease Gandhiji had touched the feet of the lepers to cure them and also to provide better treatment to them. Such a great man, such a big heart if not to him to whom the title Mahatma would be given. Young children need to be taught his philosophies and principles of life so that they will learn what makes a decent person. At least 20 Nobel laureates at a meeting held to restore peace in the world adopted a resolution saying to usher in peace and tranquillity all over the world Gandhian principles should be adhered to by all. Now the question is put to ourselves what really have we done to show respect to Mahatma Gandhi. His philosophies and ideas are kept neglected. All our leaders are in competition in the possession of wealth. They cannot see more than themselves and their family members. The need of the hour is inculcating Gandhian principles in the young minds so that when they grow up they will feel the need for serving the needy people better. As we offer floral tributes to the father of the nation we must keep in mind where do we stand. Paying tribute to him is like paying obeisance to the supreme Gods.
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