INTRODUCTION RECAP
‘Hind Swaraj’ is a book written in the form of a dialogue between the ‘Editor’ and ‘Reader’, which was written in the native language of Gandhi ji while he was traveling from London to South Africa. The book is a comprehensive compilation of M.K Gandhi’s views on his basic principles, the relationship between the rights and duties, nationality, technology, education and religious communities. The book revolves around his ‘whole theory of life’ and the main objective of the book was to give a response to the “Indian school of violence and its prototype in South Africa”. It emphasizes on his views on “Modern civilization” and how it was imposed by British rulers. His methodologies revolved around attaining the very goal of ‘true civilization’ by following the quote ‘we reap exactly what we sow’. Gandhi throws light on important topics such as western medicine, railway, the judiciary and the Congress and pays special attention to the concepts such as Ahimsa, Swaraj and Swadeshi.
RELEVANCE OF IDEOLOGIES
If we ask the younger generation the worth of Gandhi ji’s ideologies, the answers will be redundant, worthless, primeval etc. The younger generation fails to understand the worth of these golden rules and deem them redundant because in this fast-paced world taken over by this unspoken competition to be first has made this world a world running along the line of avarice and treachery.
“Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed.”
– M.K Gandhi
Ahimsa according to Gandhi ji was based on the idea of compassion non-injury and non-violence. When our country faced the very peak of colonial-violence, he proposed taking this wave of insanity with a calm mind, kind words and abstaining from non-violent responses. In this personal motive driven world leading to rise of frustration and impatience in the hot-blooded youth, we need to take a step back and follow our roots to attain peace of mind, especially when people are a lot more aware about the in-just practices and have taken up the means of violent protest and riots to fight them. The very relevant example we can cite is the Caa and Nrc protests. These protests lead to property damage, loss of lives and communal violence which is not the aim of these movements.
“It is Swaraj when we learn to rule ourselves. It is, therefore, in the palm of our hands. But such swaraj has to be experienced, by each one for himself. One drowning man will never save another.
– M.K Gandhi
If we put the concept of Swaraj under the microscope, Gandhi ji meant every citizen giving up western culture and embrace our roots instead through swadeshi and resist authority when its abused. In this money driven world with all the developed countries fighting for power, it is difficult to solely depend on our county’s resources and give up on the worldly resources. Even though the idea behind this ideology was freedom from dependance on other, in reality, mechanization, automation and industrialization are the biggest reasons we progressed to compete the world dominators. The concept of Swaraj also talks about self-improvement, self- discipline and self- control which can certainly be inculcated in this brash and tempted world. Every individual should try searching their own identity and create their own mould to shape their lives and not let some external power dictate terms.
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self -sustained.”
– M.K Gandhi
Gandhi ji did not only believe in every individual being truthful in thought, speech and action but also condemned the act of lying. He owes the Satyagraha Ashram the very existence to the pursuit and the attempted practice of truth and where there is true knowledge these is always bliss. Gandhi ji believes the very justification to our existence is devotion to truth. He even wrote the book ‘My Experiments with Truth’. With the worldwide communication taking place, truth is a rare luxury, it today’s world the theory of truth is truly ideological. Even though corruption and lying thrives on today’s world, we as an individual should be truthful to ourselves as it is hard way of sustenance but the right way to.
The editor has certainly some extreme views on railways , doctors and lawyers. Even though these thoughts were expressed a 100 years ago, these thoughts truly clash with the current perspective. Railways have been the very start and boost to the current transportation system. Lawyers, however corrupt and shown in a bad light in this booklet are the pillars of obtaining justice and providing equal rights. Even though due to doctors, the dependence on medicine has drastically increased rather than natural methods, the advancement in technology and medicine has truly saved lives and increased the quality of life for the sick.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com
We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.
We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge