Today, I remember another great person, who have made history, and I personally consider him to be a saint, MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI. Gandhiji was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, a small town on the western coast of India.
I am sure all are aware about Gandhji’s life and and His preaching of Ahimsha. Today I would like share on something that I have read about Gandhji that have touched my heart.
The below is a part of the lecture by Professor Madhu Dandwate on "Gandhi's Human Touch”. I read this some years back, but every time I read this, my mind fails to control the tears that swells in my eyes…..
If only we could practice even a small friction of what Ghandji have preached… the world would be a better place to live…Don’t you agree with me????
Women in Champaran
The below is a part of the lecture by Professor Madhu Dandwate on "Gandhi's Human Touch”. I read this some years back, but every time I read this, my mind fails to control the tears that swells in my eyes…..
If only we could practice even a small friction of what Ghandji have preached… the world would be a better place to live…Don’t you agree with me????
Women in Champaran
Sensitivity for the problems of women as the weakest among the weak was another trait of Gandhi. Gandhi had sent a team of workers to study and report on the problems of the Champaran district. But the report they gave him did not refer to any problems of the women there. "How can any report be complete without an account of the women's problems?", he asked. The workers told Gandhi that the women of Champaran were very shy and would not meet them. Gandhi then deputed Kasturba Gandhi and Avantikabai Gokhale to visit Champaran to report on women's agony. The women of Champaran would not first meet them and even open their doors.
At sunset, Kasturba Gandhi knocked one door and told the women inside: " We are moving round your town from sunrise to sunset. We are now thirsty. Will you not offer us a glass of water ?" A door was then slightly opened. A woman's hand peeped out with a glass of water on her palm. Kasturba drank water and then said: " Sister we have seen your hand. We have seen the glass of water on your palm. But we want to see the woman behind this hand." The woman inside broke down. She said: "Three women of our household share only one untorn saree and as one woman has gone out with that saree how could others open the door for you and expose our semi-naked bodies?" Kasturba told the weeping woman: "Close the door. The doors of your heart are opened." Kasturba and Avantikabai, touched by the reply, returned to Gandhi with this heart-rending report about women in Champaran. It steeled Gandhi's determination not to rest till the honour of these women were restored.
1 comment:
That was indeed a moving story. Thanks for sharing.
Gandhi's simplicity, his views on spirituality and social and environmental issues are worthy of contemplation even today. I would even say that they are more relevant today than it was 60 years ago. But unfortunately most of us are infatuated with materialism and think that Gandhi is outdated. I hope we'll get back to senses and correct ourselves before it's too late!
Post a Comment