Gandhi Jayanti - A tribute to 'Father of the Nation'
Gandhi Jayanti or Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year as a national holiday to commemorate the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October 2, 1869 - January 30, 1948). His non-violence or satyagraha continues to influence political leaders and movements till date. The celebration and essence of Gandhi Jayanti is not restricted within India and also observed by the United Nations as the International Day of non-violence that aims to disseminate his philosophy, principle and believe in non-violence through proper education and public awareness.
Celebration of Gandhi Jayanti is also a moment to relive Mohandas Gandhi's life and contribution in India's Independence. Born in a small coastal town Porbandar in Gujarat, Gandhi married Kasturbai Makhanji at the age of 13. His childhood memories and experiences are vividly depicted by him in his autobiography My experiments with truth. Gandhi at the age of 18 went to England to study law and returned to India in 1915. After his homecoming, he led nationwide stir for achieving Sawaraj, abolition of social evils, empowering women rights and improving economic conditions of peasants and farmers. He further strengthened his movement against the British Raj and led Indians in protesting Dandi March Salt in 1930 that was later followed by the popular Quit India in 1942 calling British to leave India.
At Raj Ghat, New Delhi, and across India, people gather to observe Gandhi Jayanti in innovative ways that includes offering flowers on Gandhi's pictures, statues and singing his favourite devotional song Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.
The government offices, banks, schools and post offices remain closed on Gandhi Jayanti to pay homage to 'Father of the Nation'. Additionally, as a tribute to this great soul, the Indian government mint rupee notes and also issue postage stamp depicting Mahatma Gandhi's photo. In May 19, 2011 at Geneva, a 1948 10 Rupee Mahatma Gandhi stamp was auctioned for a whopping price of US $205,000 making it a world record as the most pricey modern postal stamp from any country.
Many ardent followers make effort to preserve Gandhi's belongings, works and writings through various means with the support of governments and non-profit organizations. Online portals are also acting as major contributors in preserving and providing information on Mahatma Gandhi and about Gandhi Jayanti celebration.
The significance of Gandhi Jayanti celebration transcends beyond commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's birth and his life as followers renounce violence and entirely devote themselves to Gandhi's philosophy and principles of Ahimsa i.e living a life by following non-violence.
The celebration of Gandhi Jayanti conventionally kicks off by singing prayers, offering flowers, lighting candles and garlanding Gandhiji's photo or statue. Mahatma Gandhi's life and principles has inspired lives of all ages. And if you are enthusiastic to explore more about him and Gandhi Jayanti, then Gandhi Jayanti 2014 is the right time to become familiar with his perpetual and valuable philosophy, and also his role as an architect of Indian Independence.
A different Gandhi emerges for those who have read his collected works and that leader preferred "violence over cowardice."
"When there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advice violence," the lawyer-activist from South Africa said in 1920.
"Thus when my eldest son asked me what she should have done had he been present what I was almost fatally assaulted in 1908, whether he should have run away and seen me killed or whether he should have used physical force, which he could and wanted to use, I told him it was his duty to defend me even by using violence... Hence I advocate training in arms for those who believe in the method of violenceBut I believe nonviolence is infinitely superior to violence... forgiveness may be more manly than punish.
And in the coming years, as he immersed himself into the freedom struggle, Gandhi refined this belief.
"My non-violence does not admit of running away from danger and leaving dear ones unprotected. Between violence and cowardly flight, I can only prefer violence to cowardice," he said in 1924. The he added that "non-violence is the summit of bravery."
Nine years later in 1935, he wrote this: "Non-violence cannot be taught to a person who fears to dice and has no power of resistance."
And this is what Gandhi said in 1939, as the struggle was peaking: "For I cannot in any case tolerate cowardice. Let no one say when I am gone that I taught the people to be cowards... I would far rather that you died bravely dealing a blow and receiving a blow than died in abject terrorfleeing from battle is cowardice and unworthy of a warrior... cowardice is worse than violence because cowards can never be non-violent."
This Gandhi, so different from our textbook perception of a pacifist saint, was brought forth by Norman G. Finkelstein, a professor-activist from America.
In his slim book - 'What Gandhi Says' - written after he saw the stamp of this Gandhian sort of brave nonviolence in the Arab Spring of 2011 and the Occupy Wall Street movement in the US.
Norman writes: "In response to local leaders who solicited his advice on how to end internecine bloodletting, Gandhi counseled: "Go in the midst of rioters and prevent them from indulging in madness or get killed in the attempt. But do not come back alive to report failure. The situation calls for sacrifice on the part of top-rankers."
Norman then says: "If a criticism is to be leveled against Gandhi's nonviolence, it is that he sets the bar of courage too high for most mortals to vault."
Norman too has exposed the misdemeanors of the Jewish lobby in America through his writings despite being a Jew whose parents died in a Nazi concentration camp. And he paid the price too, though ostracisation in the academic community.
He writes this in the introduction: "The real Gandhi did loathe violence but loathed cowardice more than violence... If Gandhi preached simultaneously nonviolence and courage, it was believed he believed that nonviolence required more courage than violence."
"Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth."
This is the statement written by a German-born theoretical physicist and a 1921 Nobel prize winner in the field of Physics, Mr. Albert Einstein on the occasion of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's 70th birthday in 1939. So truly said by the finest scientist that the world has "produced" for the finest Leader that once walked on this "Earth". On this day, October 2nd, 2014 let's remember this great soul, "Mahatma" who taught the world that you can always conquer bad with good, & violence with non-violence.
A true human and a perfect Hindu followed the path of Bhakti Yoga, Jyan Yoga and Karma Yoga. Freedom fighters of the world like Martin Luther King Jr of USA, Nelson Mandela of South Africa followed his path of non-violence for their civil right movements. As the writer of this song says,
"lekin jo phaani duniya mein amar kahaane aate hai
woh kab maya moh mein phanskar apna samaa ganwaate hain"
Gandhiji, being a true Karma Yogi, never worked for any name or fame.
Let's pay tribute to "Our Bapu" by following his path of virtue, truth and non-violence. Few
There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I am prepared to kill for.
Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.
Truth alone will endure, all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time.
Various sites on the internet mention that this song, which can be called as a "Homage to Bapu" is written by Rajinder Krishna, Composed by Husnlal Bhagatram and sung by Mohd. Rafi with his expressive voice.
According to Wikipedia info- "In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram-Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the song Suno suno ae duniyawalon, Bapuji ki amar kahani. He was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru to sing at the latter's house. In 1948, Rafi received a silver medal from Nehru on the Indian Independence Day."
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBfiMaYqVU[/YOUTUBE]
Gandhiji's Signature
Credit to Visha đł
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