It is interesting that the PM Mr. Narendra Modi has chosen to express his admiration for Gandhi in a NYT op-ed. The fact is, however, that Gandhi is a much more enduring and universal Brand than Mr. Modi or his party, however charismatic, can ever be. So it makes a great deal of sense to co-opt Gandhi to his own cause in a respected (or even slightly left-leaning) newspaper with an international readership. While Mr. Modi has his admirers, his own record is considered decidedly mixed when assessed against Gandhi's values. It is almost certain that Gandhi would not have lent his support to Mr. Modi's party which has openly turned its back on secularism. Nonetheless, it is still a good sign that it is more rational for Mr. Modi to appropriate Gandhi than to repudiate him. Gandhi famously set enormously high standards of moral conduct. When you publicly proclaim his greatness and claim to align with him, you set yourself up to be judged accordingly.
203
@Kumar Ranganathan very well put. The value system rooted in the conviction of a shared humanity was not mainstream at Gandhiji's time (the two world wars, genocides, atomic bombs all happened during his active career). Unfortunately the needle hasnt moved much on that front even now...We need paper idealists to walk the talk.
7
Beautiful thoughts and a lovely tribute to a great man, except... what about the awful, state-sanctioned treatment of religious minorities in your India?
139
@David Grinspoon I live in India, and I have lots of minority friends - both Muslim and Christians. There is no state-sanctioned treatment of religious minorities. If the religious minorities seem threatened, for any reason, they can approach the Supreme Court of India for remedial help. Legal avenues are present for all citizens irrespective of religion. Reading an article here and there, those outside the country seem to gain a narrow-minded viewpoint; which is grossly incorrect depiction of India I know of and I live and breathe in. Thanks.
43
@David Grinspoon - religious minorities in india enjoy the highest privileges. They are heads and leaders in every field. Please check your facts.
22
@David Grinspoon Sir, don't make this religious debate... its a land debate.. India is country with 2nd largest muslim population, only place it has sanctions is in Kashmir due to state sponsored terrorists by Pakistan
20
Dumbfounded. I dont know where to begin. How does one digest this piece on Gandhi written by a man who oversaw the ethnic cleansing of thousands in Gujarat with impunity? Or the revocation of Kashmiri rights? Or the targeting of minorities and the poor overall? Or the promotion of virulent Hindu nationalism.
I literally am speechless at the audacity of this article.
10
Another parochial politician appropriating a secular legacy.
3
Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Gandhi, and Modi both belong to the RSS, the right wing Hindu nationalist party. The goal of this party is to erase Gandhi’s legacy of secularism and religious tolerance in India. He writes this piece while leading a campaign to strangle Kashmir. Modi is nothing but a master manipulator.
45
I was born and brought up in India in a traditional Hindu family of farming community. I was fortunate to be taught by my parents about Gandhi during my childhood, not by the political groups in India. Once, I grew-up enough to read and understand, read Gandhi's autobiography in my native language and still keeps that old torn book with me, given to me by my father.
Modi is a member of Hindu extremist group, RSS, which was one of the extremist Hindu groups implicated in the killing of Gandhi. Among the accused killers of Gandhi, Savarkar, the philosophical guru of RSS, is the only one escaped the sentence in that case because of benefit of doubt given by the court in the killing of Gandhi. All other accused was either hanged to death or given life-sentences. The RSS celebrated the death of Gandhi with jubilation. Over last 70 years, RSS strived endlessly to assassinate Gandhiji's character on daily basis. Today, many young people hate Gandhi because of Modi's extreme propaganda and character assassination.
Writings praises on Gandhi does not match to the real personality of Modi or his party whom we knew for many years. Whoever helped him to write this piece, did a good job. These are hollow words for Modi, and sincerely doubt Modi’s ability to understand the meanings of these praises.
Finally, how could Times allow a monster to write a fake tribute on Gandhi? Have you ever seen Hitler praising Jews? Yes, today, I am reading them.
36
First of all, I'm aghast and appalled that you are giving a platform to Mr. Modi, a decidedly evil person who is a polarizing figure in India and a committed anti-minority as well. Please don't forget that he is a life member of RSS, the most extremist Hindu nationalist party in India whose one follower Nathu Ram Godse shot and killed Gandhi! Please recall only a few years ago he was banned from entry to USA for his role in killing 2,000 Muslims in Gujrat State when he was the Chief Minister there. His right hand man and the interior minister Ameet Shah has vowed to eliminate Muslims from India, whom he calls " Termites ".And let us not forget Modi's actions in occupied Kashmir: thousands shot dead, thousands jailed, tortured and raped; 13,000 children incarcerated in Indian jails along with hardened criminals.; property of Kashmiris worth Billions destroyed. The valley is locked down with no internet and phone service. Curfew persists for the 56th day; hospitals and pharmacies are without medicine. And this is all according to your reporters. This man is a war monger and a total fascist. When he talks about Gandhi it is a perfect example of the Devil quoting scripture.! By giving him a voice on your influential and esteemed paper, you have not only added insult to injury but also rubbed salt into the wounds of humanity.
27
I was surprised to see an article in the NY times by Narendra Modi. I thought it would never happen and then I realized that this article is just to compensate Imran Khan's article published in the NY Times two weeks ago. Anyway, the topic was about Mahatma Gandhi and the NY Times had no option other than publishing it whoever is the messenger.
Narendra Modi is no Mahatma Gandhi. Matama Gandhi was a great soul. He would not approve a lot of things going on in India today. Mahatma Gandhi's last wish was to see the Congress Party disbanded in the post-independence era. A few days after his assassination by Naturam Godse ( whose RSS links have been debated inconclusively) the Harijan magazine published an article written by Gandhi under the title "His Last Will and testament". In this article, Gandhi wrote that the Congress "has outlived its use"
and advised "to disband the existing Congress organization. I wish that had happened. After his death, the Congress Party of India degenerated, extremely corrupt and the party was voted out of the office and today the Congress Party is almost extinct, very sad.
20
Men of peace are always needed.Unfortunately, they are few and far between.Certainly, Mr Modi is not one of them.
I share most of the praise showered on Mr Gandhi; but I always could not understand why he was murdered by a man to whose organization Mr Modi himself belongs.
And another question. Would Mr Gandhi have approved of what Mr Modi is doing to the Indian constitution and Kashmiri people or what the RSS is doing to Indian minorities, especially Muslims? These are questions for all Indians, especially the Hindoos.
21
I have read the Article & Comments.
The majority of comments very harsh & needs a little understanding of Mr Modi.
Modi is not a mahatma, neither as visionary, not educated as Bapu
Modi do not come from elite background as Mahatma neither admired & loved as Bapu
However in two item Modi matches Mahatma, In Honesty & dedication to India, & both are self made man.
Mr Gandhi gave vision of Survodaya , I wish Modi implement his vision on ground.
I am sure that Modi has dedication, energy , honesty, competence & commitment to fulfill Bapu’s vision of India.
He owe this to a fellow Gujarati.
It is a time to remember Bapu, However Time has come for Indian to stand by & stand for our Boy , Mr Narendrabhai.
Jai Hind.
13
With that linguistic choice, Gandhi enhanced the pride of workers.
-----
Gandhi believed in practicing what he preached. It is worth reflecting per this count on PM Modi projecting himself as Gandhian here.
Mass communication often hollows out messaging, makes it appear as word-smithy. A charge to which PM Modi has also been frequently subjected. He has been called "Feku" by few; a word coined in Hindi out of "the fake one".
Gandhi thought like a lawyer. He believed in primacy of civil law and secular democracy. A new sense of Gandhi emerges when we know that he was totally against cow slaughter. BJP roots for cow slaughter ban.
Gandhi had great respect for Nehru and wanted him to be PM of India, and Congress party bowed to his wishes. BJP is critical of Nehru in several ways and have sought to undermine his credibility in ways that can at best be termed as "non-intellectual".
Gandhi sought fair treatment for Pakistan and win their trust. Many BJP second rung leaders equate any tilt towards Pakistan as being anti-national.
PM Modi has indeed brought in fresh perspectives to revisit legacy of Mahatma. His work on "Swatchta" and campaign against "single use plastic", investments in "piping water to every home", and renewable energy by connecting the messaging to Gandhian legacy is working very well both in terms of reducing corruption and delivering fantastic outcomes.
The "Civil Law" ethos of Gandhi remains the core aspect of him, is an eternal need for India.
5
Modi paying tribute to Gandhi is like Trump paying tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. It rings hollow given his own cavalier stance toward human rights and support of chauvinist attitudes.
There are elements of Modi’s party, the BJP, who hail Gandhi’s assassin as a hero: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/05/16/an-indian-candidate-called-mahatma-gandhis-killer-patriot-modi-must-drop-her-now/?outputType=amp
Again, this is analogous to Trump’s support from white supremacists.
If Modi wants to show that he is truly following in the footsteps of Gandhi he can recognize that all citizens of India deserve equal rights, equal justice, equal opportunities, and freedom.
23
The Indian Modi government is in the process of creating 2-4 million stateless people in Assam by going after so-called illegal immigrants from the 1970s who are Muslim. The Home Minister has explicitly said that non-Muslim illegal immigrants will be made citizens by changing the law. And this government is quoting Gandhi!
Why doesn’t Modi write an article for NY Times on Savarkar’s birth anniversary instead - the founder of his party, a Hindutva ideologue, and a Gandhi critic? Probably because the world will come face to face the reality of the exclusionary policies underlying India’s current politics which in fact contradict Gandhi’s views.
As individuals, we need to be sceptical of politicians who try to attach themselves to the halo of their ideological opponents. It would be one thing for a Martin Luther King inspired person to write such an article. Quite another for a Savarkar inspired one.
19
Huh? Gandhi was killed by a Hindu nationalist. This article would be a joke if Modi's policies weren't so dangerous.
18
Mr. Modi,
Bringing up Gandhi invites comparisons, and I am afraid you do not come off so well.
You are talking the talk, but how about walking the walk?
To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, I didn’t know Gandhi, but you sir are no Gandhi.
To quote Melania: Be Better.
13
Mahatma Gandhi embodied inclusion and diversity. He believed, quite rightly, that Muslims were an integral part of the mosaic of cultures which makes up India. Yes, we absolutely to remember the legacy of the beloved Bapu.
My question to you, Mr. Modi, is perhaps your government could do a better job embracing Islam and acknowledging the enormous contributions of Muslims to our culture and economic growth.
As a first generation American, I still have a strong emotional connection to my old country. It is heart-breaking to your government continue to sow disharmony between Hindus and Muslims. Could India, your government in particular, please go back to Gandhian values first?
We would have greater credibility in preaching Bapu's message to the remainder of the world.
192
The is ahistorical. Gandhi, when he was alive was utterly rejected by Hindi speaking Muslims of present day India. They voted in completely lopsided majorities for Jinnah's party, the muslim league and opted for Pakistan. After having voted for Pakistan, they created mini-Pakistans within India where the notion of Hindu minorities having any rights is only notional! The foremost example being the ethnic cleansing of the tiny Hindu population from the Kashmir valley.
In the parts of India that became Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus are terribly prosecuted and there is a steady stream of refugees from both countries in India. In 1971, after having suffered a genocide, the stream of refugees from then East Pakistan became a torrent and in the short space of an year, more than nine million Bangladeshi Hindus ended up in India. In contrast, where are the refugee camps of Indian Muslims in Pakistan or Bangladesh, if they are being persecuted by the Indian govt.? In reality, Rohingya Muslims, who could not find refuge in Bangladesh have landed up in India in large numbers.
Such elementary facts and basic questions are thrown aside by those pushing a narrative of global grievance and empty activism for far away injustices.
39
I can only echo the previous comments. This was a wonderful sentiment to write, but from someone not living up to his ideal. Gandhi said, "It is not enough to tolerate someone, we must except them for who they are." I except Mr. Modi for who he is. I hope he can learn to except others for who they are.
9
Elephants are significant in Indian legends and history. The Indian Prime Minister’s words avoid the elephant in the room. On the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, not only his life but also his death must be remembered.
The current Prime Minister’s political life began in the RSS, only a few years after another RSS member assassinated Bapu. The Prime Minister continues to serve, to bow before, the RSS agenda of violence and communal-religious hatred.
Gandhi understood his life and work as experiments with Truth.
Narendra Modi’s words and work blaspheme a Great Soul, the Mahatma.
14
I wish that Mr. Modi, who has written a generous, just and deserving tribute to Mohandas Gandhi, would think of what Gandhi would have told him, "accept the Muslims in India"' be a good human being. Be their salvation."
10
It seems the right in India is trying to claim Gandhi's legacy while the left is busy in its research to unearth another issue to criticize Gandhi on. Nice move!
1
Mr. Modi, as we all do, has the simple plans laid out by Gandhi to make the world a more equitable, peaceful, and inclusive place.
While I understand it seems complicated in our day, it was just as complicated in Gandhi's day. Saying it is complicated, is not an excuse that holds water. The plans he laid out are simple. If you choose to align yourself in some way with Gandhi, Mr.Modi, then your actions, all your actions, must originate from that place. You can't pick and choose if you decide to use his name to make yourself appear to be of the same ilk.
Feel the pain of others, remove misery, never be arrogant. No matter who you are dealing with. No matter their caste, religion, wealth, sex, or nationality.
When I see your actions, all your actions, originating from that place Mr.Modi, I will start to believe, that you believe what you have written to this paper.
4
Very well written. Its heartning to see leader from the same country still respecting Gandhi's values & demonstrating in his actions
6
Narendra Modi fails to mention that his 'beloved Bapu' was assassinated by a Hindu extremist who thought the Mahatma was 'too tolerant' of Muslims.
He fails to mention that Gandhi rejected the idea that Hindus had more of a claim to being Indians than Muslims, that he refused to countenance anti-Muslim violence, and at least once (in Bengal) fasted until communal violence came to a halt.
Why not highlight such an important part of the Mahatma's legacy?
Because Narendra Modi is a Hindu Nationalist - always has been. He pretends to respect Gandhi because Gandhi is not alive to challenge his every word and deed.
Narendra Modi, who as Chief Minister of Gujarat aided and abetted anti-Muslim violence, for which he still refuses to take any responsiblity, Narendra Modi who as Prime Minister has encouraged increasing anti-Muslim violence by various extremist groups is not fit to speak the Mahatma's name.
18
Gandhi would have been appalled with Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS who, lets not forget, orchestrated his assassination. More recently, the BJP fielded a candidate in the recent elections that was convicted on terrorism charges and went of record praising Gandhi's assassin. Modi was complicit in the 2002 pogrom in Gujarat that resulted in the deaths on thousands of Muslims which lead to the US denying him a via for "severe violations of religious freedom". More recently, he has imposed a lockdown and communication blockade in Jammu and Kashmir, among other civil rights violations, which the UN has described as "collective punishment". I find it disheartening that divisive leaders like Modi are permitted to legitimise themselves and their right wing rhetoric though publications like the NY Times.
13
After reading yesterday’s news regarding the misery Mr. Modi has inflicted in Kashmir, with a justification that is completely false—that the devastation is necessary for peace, I cannot believe a word in this OpEd.
10
How ironic -- a tribute to Gandhi by a Hindu nationalist.
16
Wow, just wow. If our dear NYT readers had no idea who Mr. Modi was and what his administration has done, first as Chief Minister and now as Prime Minister, this would have been another of the ritual (much-needed nonetheless) homages to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. It is awfully hard, to even try to express the blatant irony in Mr. Modi penning this piece. If there is one country and an administration which sorely needs to follow Gandhian values more than ever right now, it is arguably the country Mahatma Gandhi called home. India.
14
Hard to believe someone like Modi has the gall to write this piece. He does a good job of praising Gandhi for the right reasons. Gandhi was a treasure for all of India, indeed for all of humanity. The same cannot be said of Modi, whose policies have caused so much suffering for Moslems, Kashmiris, and tribals. He rose out of the most fanatical extreme of Hindu nationalism and has not betrayed that source. Gandhi paid for his life by calling for a pluralistic India, the very thing Modi has suppressed.
12
The person who wrote article on Gandhi is totally opposed their ideas when Kashmir is very much famous example. All we know well Gandhi is human signifying personality for world
12
"That is when we will fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream, summed up in his favorite hymn, “Vaishnava Jana To,” which says that a true human is one who feels the pain of others, removes misery and is never arrogant."
It is about time that you, Modi, applied the above wisdom of the Mahatma.
13
What was the Gandhi's views on the religion conflicts? Did he see Muslim Indians as full citizens of modern India? How did he view the place of religion in the modern state? What about the castes?
7
Article by Modi contradicts his actions totally. One must not forget that Gandhi was killed by the same organization ‘RSS’ to which Modi belongs and sustains his ideology.
14
Modi writes "Let us work shoulder to shoulder to make our world prosperous and free from hate, violence and suffering"
Before preaching to the world Modi, his party and the auxiliary nationalist Hindutva ideology groups should follow his own advice and make India free from hate, division and lynching of minorities and Dalits because of their religion and eating habits after he came into power.
Let's not forget Modi was denied a visa by the US and UK for his complicity in the murder of more than thousand Muslims in Gujarat in 2002.
11
To verbally lean on ideas or ideology sanctioned by foreign dignitaries like Martin Luther King Jr. is a tempting façade for believers; however, the actual reality beckons anything but. Gandhi was a strict proponent of ‘secularism’ and had nothing to do with ‘Hindutvaism’ either. Even people in his party celebrate Gandhi’s assassin as a true patriot of the country (or, read Hindutvaism) as Modi’s party continues to remain mum on daily rituals of rape and murder of non-Hindus and the SC/ST citizens.
Evidently words are not enough. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has stated without any innuendos or any apology that India is a “Hindu nation” contrary to India’s secular position that Mahatma Gandhi always strove for. Already, poor Muslims, without necessary papers, are about to be corralled, and “thrown out” (where exactly they would go, no one knows) of the country as they miss the registration list of bona fide citizens.
How come Modi is oblivious of such draconian steps India is about to take? Do these stand for Indian values enshrined in “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family) that Gandhi gave his life for?
11
Nice! Now tell us who really wrote this article as you are not doing anything to follow the Gandhian ideals that you so eloquently endorse. In fact, quite the opposite!
15
Which is why your party is so active in fostering communal violence and creating stateless peoples.
12
It’s funny how people expect Gandhi’s ideals to remain ever effective. Gandhi said show ur other cheek if someone slaps you on one cheek, it was effective in those days because people were human enough to not slap you the second time .. we don’t live in such a world anymore, there are people who will slap you on the other cheek as well ... so the modern Gandhi needs a little bit of a modification....after all let’s not forget Gandhi walked with a stick , not to beat but to scare , prevention is always better ..... Times are changing we need a Gandhi 2.0 and there is only one man who fits that ... you all know who it is ... Happy Gandhi Jayanti
3
“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”
― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
18
It is not only ironic, but almost hilarious that Mr. Narendra Modi writes about Gandhi. The contrasts between Gandhi and Modi, from life style (Gandhi's austerity versus Modi's wealth) to leadership and actions (Modi's criminal history), are so stark that this article seems like a well written satire!
However, Modi, quite cunningly, projected one quote of Gandhi, that, when presented out of context, can very well fit Modi's leadership ideology: “It is impossible for one to be internationalist without being a nationalist..... act as one man.”
Nationalism, in the context of India's fight for independence, is VERY DIFFERENT from that in the context of current India. The current nationalism of India, based on religious and racial discrimination, is more like the German fascist nationalism that led to holocaust during world war II. India is headed towards a similar direction under the leadership of Mr. Modi.
The most hilarious part of Modi's article: " India is among the fastest when it comes to eliminating poverty. " Only deaf, dumb and blind people could believe such claim. India's economy has taken a nose-dive since Modi's branded demonetization.
The biggest HYPOCRISY by Modi: "Let us work .. to make our world .. free from hate, violence and suffering.... is never arrogant."
How does Modi expect the world to believe that he is the pioneer of Gandhi's legacy after what happened in Kashmir, what happened in Assam and what's happening against Muslims now?
13
Then follow Ghandiji's teachings in matter of Kashmir, and lift the curfew.
11
"People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who actually do", was the copy of the ad campaign
Gandhi was and thought different for sure. He was one of a kind and real. Those who wear his name in Delhi and those who lock Muslims up in Kashmir, are fake and won't measure up. Nice try though.
9
Nice article about a great man....
[But somewhat diminished by including a link to "The Great Warrior" article in Time magazine by Mandela that can be read ONLY by subscribers to Time.
Please! Don't do this.
It's even more annoying than the publishers' practice of blowing tens of postcards into magazines you TO WHICH YOU DO subscribe.]
1
Mr. Prime Minister, I would love to know which of Gandhi's teachings you were drawing from when you decided to lie about a terrorist threat to the Amarnath Yatra as a pretext for expelling the press and bringing in troops, and for arresting thousands of people and holding them without trial? You wrap yourselves in the words of Gandhi, but your actions reek of those of the people he was fighting against.
9
Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King were all barnyard busy roosters who were awful husbands and absentee fathers. They could be callous cruel and cynical aka human.
All three men rose in nations that invented and perpetrated evil inhumane color aka race aka ethnic aka national origin aka sectarian castes among the one and only race aka human Earthling.
The all too human mortal flaws of these three men enhance rather than detract from their greatness.
Jesus in the Garden at Gethsemane wondering ' if this cup could pass' and why 'his father had forsaken him' at Golgotha has always appealed to and moved me.
3
In Modis’ India today the mere utterance of Gandhi or Nehru is enough to arouse ridicule and mudslinging. Modi talks about Gandhi’s non-violence but uses Military clampdown and highly repressive measures to quell genuine freedom aspirations of Kashmiris. He goes on to say that Gandhi’s “many strands of freedom struggle are inspired by wide-scale public participation”. Such a wide spread public participation is brandished as Islamic terrorism and met with brute force in Kashmir. Modi writes about Gandhi’s vision of the world where every citizen has dignity. RSS of which he is an ideologue and his own Home minster calls muslims “termites” and to be gotten rid of. While it is not unfathomable why Mr Modi chose to sell Gandhi to the west through NYT oped, what remains a fact is that Modi’s ideological parent organization RSS assassinated Gandhi. When Modi writes “ we in India are doing our bit” I wonder what he means by that. How empathetically Modi invokes Gandhi when he writes “ true human is one who feels pain of others, removes misery and is never arrogant”. What Modi has done in Kashmir is just the opposite but the irony is no one is showing him the mirror.
6
You, Mr. Modi, are the last person who should speak about Gandhi. All you have in common is being born in India. Gandhi went out of his way to include Muslims and the "Harijan." You oppress them. The BJP is more like the ultra-nationalist party that killed Gandhi, not like his Congress.
Gandhi would cry to see what you are doing.
"Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever walked this earth, said Einstein on his death. If you love him, emulate him.
11
Gandhi was assassinated when shot in the chest three times at point blank range in New Delhi on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Vinayak Godse. Godse killed Gandhi because he felt that Gandhi was favoring the demands of Muslim Indians too much during the partition of India (it should be noted that the Muslims who wanted the partition of India that created Pakistan did not see Gandhi as the hero and saint that he viewed as by most people worldwide today since Gandhi opposed partition). Godse was a Hindu nationalist, a member of both Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu Mahasabha. Gandhi represented the very opposite of Hindu nationalism and the RSS. RSS is a right-wing, paramilitary organization that advocates India becoming a Hindu state (much like Islamists advocate Islamic states, Zionists advocate Jewish state, Christians who advocate Christian states, Buddhists who advocate Buddhist states). Some critics have called RSS "an Indian version of fascism.”
RSS has been accused of responsibility for communal riots including the 2002 Gujarat riots/pogrom, when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat (Modi was accessed of inciting and condoning the violence against Muslims, but was later cleared of complicity in the violence by Indian Supreme Court). RSS is the parent organization of ruling party of India, BJP (world’s largest political party).
Modi is a Hindu nationalist, RSS member.
Gandhi, beloved Bapu, would be ashamed of Modi and drive towards Hindu nationalism led by Modi.
9
Prime Minister Modi, I have great respect for what you have done to reduce poverty, build toilets, and modernize India. But I have absolutely no respect for the Hindu nationalism that you and your party espouse. Please, create an open and accepting culture in India! At all times, but especially now, we need the world to come together in acceptance and peace. The rise of nationalism in your country, in the US, in the UK, and across Europe is very concerning for the world.
The region of Kashmir did nothing to deserve the inhumane treatment you have given it in the last few months. Arrests without warrants? Police on every street corner? Shutting down the Internet and instituting a curfew? The people of Kashmir deserve the liberty that was given to them in Article 370; instead, you're egging on your Hindu nationalism base to further erode their rights. Please reconsider this move, and the consequences of vilifying a minority group in your population
12
I think all of India is a little bit stunned at the sudden surge in social services, especially at the poorest strata of society. This, and this alone, is what made Modi come back to power with a bigger mandate. Modi is not an economic reformer, but he has definitely figured out how to get toilets, rebates, fertilizer, banking, health coverage, housing to a vast base of people. Without being a populist, he delivered on these on the ground. This is impossible to fight politically. You have to out-deliver him. And I believe he genuinely wants to improve the lot of the poorest through government service delivery, in a pretty impartial way (which is where his Muslim support is coming from). Charges of anti-Muslimism are just plain wrong.
However, both he and Gandhi have a critical flaw. They do not understand how to create rapid economic growth. And that creates prosperity much more effectively than any amount of government delivery. The politician in India who understands this and converts that to a mass-movement will defeat Modi.
4
M. Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary is an occasion for nations across geographies to come together with the below aims:
1. A terror-free world to be achieved by proscribing individuals, entities and nations which direct, support or finance terror.
2. A sustainable and ecologically sensitive as well as fast paced equitable development, which empowers the marginalized sections of the society to move out of poverty while ensuring a better and brighter tomorrow for the next generation; by setting up global skilling & skill recognition standards & protocols, a global mandatory company contribution fund to drive poverty alleviation through hard & soft infra development (applicable to global corporations, by way of 0.25% of global turnover contribution), and Global R&D fund with contributions of 0.1% of GDP contributions by developing countries and 0.25% contribution by developed countries on new technological developments which reduce carbon emissions.
3. A multi-country and cross-functional initiative on Primary & High School education with Action Areas centred on Best Practices, Pedagogical Standards as well as glocal Strategy formulation and Implementation to provide better life skills, empathetic outlook development in children and employable vocational training.
This will be a true tribute to the multi-faceted inspirational personality of the Mahatma.
1
It is funny Mr. Modi is invoking Mahatma Gandhi to present him as a model
for the world. He himself should
adopt Gandhian philosophy and
methods. Mahatma Gandhi advocated
inclusiveness, envisioned India as
the land for people of all religions,
castes and ethnicity. Mr. Modi thrives
on division, considers Muslims as
aliens who don't belong. He is
notorious for presiding over the
pogrom against Muslims in 2002 in his home state of Gujarat. RSS, Mr. Modi joined as an 8 years old immersed in its philosophy, was instrumental in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Mr. Modi is the man with many faces. He shows the one depending on the circumstances.
14
It's incredible that the same Saffronists who have normalized hatred of all ideas Gandhian and Nehruvian, are falling over each other, to sing hosannas to the one, they routinely deride and insult on social media and WhatsApp.
Not all Gandhian or Nehruvian ideas may be agreeable. Granted. Understood. But where is the justification in the crudest invectives and insults that the Sangh Parivar's Battalion of Battering Rams, have made fashionable over the past two decades?
Amongst some of the j'accuse the hurl at M.K.Gandhi is the very non-violence, that was his cardinal principle; and which to the lumpen amongst the Saffronists, is anathema. For to them, it dignifies a pusillanimous Hindu. Or consider, that progressivism and inclusivism, which were Nehru's guiding contribution to the Indian Republic, is professed by the BJP, and yet, is used to tar and feather Nehru, when it suits the recidivist and revanchist narrative.
I'd submit, there are good amongst the Saffronists. Why don't they check these errant elements that are in their rank and file? Surely, it would be a marker of the high level of civil discourse and responsibility that Bapu and Panditji had practiced in their personal and public lives. And hopefully, the standard, the Saffronists seek to elevate India to?
Gandhi aspired to align his thoughts, deeds and actions. Let that be the example for all India. He also said: 'Action expresses priority.' Let's hope we see India's leaders live up to that.
Jai Hind.
1
It's said that power corrupts -- and where power does not, Great Souls...
Muslims and Christians in India. I fear that Modi's application of Ghandi's equation of nationalism does not include all that are within his nation.
6
Gandhi doesn't belong to India. He belongs to the world. If you take the essence of all the religions of the world and crystallize into techniques on how humanity can continue to exist and thrive - that is what Bapuji gave us. He is more relevant to the world than ever. There are extreme right wing forces that are on the rise everywhere in the world. They preach the politics of hate and the fear of the other. These dark forces don't stand a chance when you lit the light of tolerance, non-violent resistance and love. That is the ONLY WAY you can fight back the darkness that is surrounding us ... with light. Either humanity heeds Mahatma's message and survive or ignore and perish. The choice is ours.
4
Let us get history right. In fact, one of Gandhi’s reportedly biggest regrets was that he allowed the process of independence to split the region into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. The partition of India led to the greatest migration of people in the history of the world and hundreds of thousands of deaths. This was not what Gandhi wanted; he had envisioned Hindus and Muslims living side by side in freedom and peace. When I lived in Gujarat in 2007 I saw Chief Minister Modi speak at a non-political rally and use the term Hindustan (literally, “land of the Hindus”) interchangeably with India, and felt ominous at the time. Many Muslims were in his audience. This, with his history of involvement in the Gujarat riots in 2002 that killed over 2000 people, mostly Muslims. Modi may preach about the values of Gandhi but he would do well to recognize how far he has deviated from Mahatma’s path. It’s disgraceful.
22
Today Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi (MG), a symbol of non violent struggle would have been 150 years old, had he not died violently to an assassin's bullet. As prime minister Modi and the nation of India marks his birth anniversary there is no better world leader on our planet than Modi who can take credit for keep his ideals and lessons alive. Modi launched "swatch Bharat" , clean India in memory of MG and it was not just a politically stunt. His leadership has almost eradicated the age old practice of passing stools in the open by building millions of new toilets in the countryside as wells as in urban areas. This achievement was appropriately recognized and honored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Another major accomplishment of Modi that MG would have applauded is the continuing secular interfaith harmony that has prevailed during his term. In a country of over a billion there have been a few sporadic incidences of violence against minorities and one would hope Modi will eradicate that too.
Modi government has spread the message of peace of MG across the world and has been honored by countries with majority of people of Islamic faith. He is one of the first prime minister who has traveled across the world and established friendly relations with almost every country in the world except the neighboring Pakistan and one would hope that before the end of his term he will achieve that.
MG will remain an inspiration forever as a symbol of selfless service.
4
Mr. Gandhi was the last saint of India, probably the world. This I say not only to second Einstein's comments back then, but also given the deep reach of public scrutiny into every facet of any wanna-be saint, it is well nigh impossible. And add to that the mis-characterization by vested interests.
How many of you know that the Supreme Court in India is free? How many of you have taken the time to read the Supreme Courts judgement on Narendra Modi clearing him of all accusations? How many have stopped to ponder that he was aquitted by the Supreme Court when the party in power was not his, but of oppositions? And how many know that Modi was aquitted at a time when he was the 'Enemy Number 1' of India due to the successful media campaign against him. Why do I say that: one of India's top journalist had recently accepted that media should not have gone against Modi as much as it did because it was unfair, and he (his nationalist) ideas were fair game.
So, in this light, I see Narendra Modi. Peel away the mischaracterizations, and he to me is the best thing that happened to India since Gandhi.
India is secular not because it is enshrined in its Constitution (it is) but because it is etched in our national religious ethos as a Hindu majority. Again, please peel away the dominant media narrative, and try and reach the deeper richer India, and you will be happy to know that such a nation/race/religion does exist on this planet.
9
If PM Modi wants to make the world free from hate, violence, and suffering, he should look in the mirror. The crisis in Kashmir is something that Gandhi more or less foresaw by advocating against Partition, and is the kind of despotic repression that he fought to prevent.
9
No. The world most certainly does not need a Gandhi.
Gandhi, much like today's right, believed the enemy to be modernity. He argued well into the 1940s that the new nation should reject science and technology and declare its core identity in the ancient rhythms of village life and the spinning wheel.
“India’s salvation,” he wrote in 1909, “consists in unlearning what she has learnt during the past fifty years. The railways, telegraphs, hospitals, lawyers, doctors, and such like have all to go.”
The rather sinister concept of “unlearning,” has more in common with theocracy and ignorance than with the figures of Mandela, King, or the other moral heroes with whom Gandhi’s name is linked.
4
Disappointed to read the lies in this article, notably the claim that regarding dignity and prosperity for every citizen, care for the earth and sustainable development, socio-economic welfare of the poor, "We in India are doing our bit."
In fact those in India working most sincerely towards these goals face hostile government policy and all too often harassment and direct attacks. And those who truly care for the earth face eviction and repression.
This is followed immediately by the blatant lie that "India is among the fastest when it comes to eliminating poverty."
NY Times, did you fact-check?
Poverty and inequality are skyrocketing. The share of wealth of India's 1% is rising even more rapidly in India than globally. By all accounts the ruling classes and parties are gleeful about this. They live in a bubble surrounded by other 1%ers and think everyone is happy about it. They see the 10% and 20% -ers admiring and aspiring to be like them and they think all is well, ignoring the 80% whose monthly household income is Rs. 8000. That is below $1/day for a 4-member household.
OXFAM reports: “On most indicators, India is now among the countries with the highest level of inequality. But the analysis also shows that unlike most countries which started with high inequality, inequality in India has continued to rise”
“In the context of the acceleration of growth rate of Indian economy, the rise in inequality raises issues of the distribution of gains from the growth.”
22
This is a beautiful thought out NYT Op-Ed piece by PM Modi. He has rightfully brought out facets of Mahatma Gandhi at a critical juncture in our history. It is 150th Anniversary of Gandhi Jayanti, and who else to propagate and makeeveryone aware than PM Narendra Modi and the Government of India. Gandhi was an emobdiment of truth, just like ancient truth-King Satya Harishchandra. See, history speaks. A huge India got divided by British Colonialists for their own perception of where the world must lead to. It is the Britishers who created eternal Hindu-Muslim divide. Unfortunately even Gandhi's ideals couldn't stop India being divided and millions of death due to Hindu-Muslim divide. It is an unfortunate part of history, India is still paying price. The world has changed a lot since the 1800s and 1900s. The tools of conflict have changed too. One thing hasn't changed is the non-violence/"Gandhi Giri" as it is also known as.
2
Narendra Modi is no Gandhi. Gandhi wanted freedom and liberty for all in India. That included those of all walks of life, all castes, all religions. Gandhi united the people, Modi appears to divide or look away as the unity and diversity that was once India is at risk of disappearing.
7
The P.M. is exactly the wrong person to be authoring an encomium to the beloved Mahatma. When the Muslims in Kashmir embarked on peaceful demonstrations to lobby for a referendum, they were greeted with additional persecution. Modi has made the situation there uncontestably worse with his heavy-handed deployment of the military, curtailing of communications and suspension of human rights. In addition to which, he and the BJP have been treating Muslims all over India as second-class citizens. Modi is even worse than a "nationalist" (i.e., nativist): he's a Hindu extremist. The Mahatma, who referred to himself as a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew, would have staged a hunger strike in reaction to the policies of this P.M.
10
Gandhi, as we would like to remember him, was a shrewd politician. He realized over time that simple poor Indians could not simply outgun an empire. So invented Satyagraha, peaceful resistance. What drove the British out of India was probably a combination of WW2 and persistent Indian opposition. I wish people in other conflict zones in the world like Palestine, Yemen, Kashmir etc follow Gandhi’s principals rather than the destructive path of violence they have adopted.
1
Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi (MG), a symbol of non violent struggle would have been 150 years old today, had he not died violently to an assassin's bullet in 1948. As prime minister Modi and the nation of India marks his birth anniversary there is no better world leader on our planet than Modi who can take credit for keep his ideals and lessons alive. Modi launched "swatch Bharat" , clean India in memory of MG and it was not just a politically stunt. His leadership has almost eradicated the age old practice of passing stools in the open by building millions of new toilets in the countryside as wells as in urban areas. This achievement was appropriately recognized and honored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Another major accomplishment of Modi that MG would have applauded is the continuing secular interfaith harmony that has prevailed during his term. In a country of over a billion there have been a few sporadic incidences of violence against minorities and one would hope Modi will eradicate that too.
Modi government has spread the message of peace of MG across the world and has been honored by countries with majority of people of Islamic faith. He is one of the first prime minister who has traveled across the world and established friendly relations with almost every country in the world except the neighboring Pakistan and one would hope that before the end of his term he will achieve that.
MG will remain an inspiration forever as a symbol of selfless service.
5
Truly, the world needs to be mindful of Gandhi's example. However, you are absolutely the wrong person for carrying Gandhi's torch though.
You are a member of RSS. Nathuram Godse, Gandhi's assassin, was also a member of the RSS. The member of parliament from your own party BJP have hailed Godse as a "patriot". Are you willing to suspend their membership? Are you willing to take any actions against these radical elements within your party? Writing (or perhaps asking someone to ghost-write) Op-Eds is easy. Action is hard.
Walk the walk, as Bapu would have done.
5
How is dignity and prosperity going for Indian Muslims under Narendra Modi's watch? From this author, this piece feels like whitewash for an ultranationalist, rather than praise for a man of peaceful vision.
9
If only Modi would actually follow the political principles of Gandhi, rather than pursue the divisive and violent tactics of Hindu nationalist organizations in India. Modi is now the head of the organization that produced Gandhi’s assassin. Could he be any more of a hypocrite? As far as non-violence, I don’t think that presiding over the massacre of Muslims in 2002 qualifies Modi to speak about its benefits. May he and his party be gone in the next election.
5
The irony Mr. Modi penning this tribute to Gandhi! His Govt. and his party functionaries are actively undermining everything Gandhi stood for. Caste politics and violence against underprivileged communities has been on the rise since the Modi govt. took office. WhatsApp messages filled with claims that Gandhi undermined India in 1947 when the partition of India into India and Pakistan happened are circulated by Hindutva troll armies affiliated to the BJP. Environmental policies are being ignored in the name of development. The list goes on. India, in its current state, is far away from the nation Gandhi envisioned. Mr. Modi and the BJP should use this 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma to do some soul searching of their own.
4
The irony Mr. Modi penning this tribute to Gandhi! His Govt. and his party functionaries are actively undermining everything Gandhi stood for. Caste politics and violence against underprivileged communities has been on the rise since the Modi govt. took office. WhatsApp messages filled with claims that Gandhi undermined India in 1947 when the partition of India into India and Pakistan happened are circulated by Hindutva troll armies affiliated to the BJP. Environmental policies are being ignored in the name of development. The list goes on. India, in its current state, is far away from the nation Gandhi envisioned. Mr. Modi and the BJP should use this 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma to do some soul searching of their own.
7
The greatest irony in this piece is that here Narendra Modi is celebrating a man who was murdered by the very ideology Narendra Modi espouses. Not only did the Godse, Gandhi's murderer, belong to the RSS, of which Modi is a lifetime member, but also, in recent years BJP leaders (Modi's political party) have openly praised Godse and hailed him as a hero. Only a matter of time before Modi himself comes out in the open with his admiration of Godse.
12
Gandhi is recognized the world over for his non-violent struggle and others have like Mandela have followed Gandhi. These leaders will be in the minds of many forever. However, Modi has guaranteed himself to be the opposite by his recent actions
3
Very pleased to see Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, writing an op-ed on Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 and NYT carrying it. The irony is that RSS, the Hindu Militant Oranization that hated Gandhi and one of its member assassinated him is the won for which Narendra Modi worked all his life before entering active politics. Even now RSS and its political arm BJP (formerly Jan Sangh) are the organizations that brought Narendra Modi into power. One only hopes his praise of Gandhi is real and he will practice that while ruling India; we are yet to see that happening and keep wondering if these are only words or it reflects change of heart.
2
A patriotic piece on Gandhiji - notice how Modi cleverly avoids mention of anything not Hindu. In addition, he welcomes entrepreneurs and industry while avoiding (and shunning) activists and journalists. Violence against minorities and journalists has never been as condoned as under his regime. Bapu’s creed was inclusion, not elimination of people who didn’t agree with him. It is delusional for Modi to think that he is walking on the path shown by Bapu.
10
Gandhi was a smart man; he learnt and modified his message along the way and laid a foundation for mankind into the future. India understood this and gave him a chance to lead. In a strange way, Modi hailing from the same geographics as Gandhi but from a disparate background is also a smart man, and maybe he is also learning how to put the puzzle together; India knows this and wants to give him a chance.
Gandhi was one of the great human beings ever! His philosophy and accomplishments are well known, but there are some detractors who point towards Gandhi's nontraditional ways of life or experiments. However, no public figure has ever exposed his inner feelings and physical life more than Gandhi has done himself. His honesty and fearlessness are not shown by any leader anywhere.
Many world leaders have done great things, but Gandhi did that and lived a an unparalleled life.
1
Great to see Gandhi in the news. As a young man I was a huge fan and became, and remain, a veghead (variety ovo-lacto in this case) in large part due to his writings.
2
Gandhi was relevant , is relevant now and will remain relevant in the years to come by not only to my country and countrymen but globally. He was a visionary leader and was aware that a strifetorn India will not be able to concentrate on the aspect of development.Hence the emphasis on Non- Violence .As our Primeminster has pointed in his article Gandhi was a catalyst, a change agent and an harbinger of hope and trust for millions of Indians and the International community.Iconic global leaders and influencers like Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela's acceptance and practice of principles enunciated by Mr Gandhi stand's testimony to the fact that the ides have universal application in this troubled world . Mr Gandhi's principles , vision, ideas, objectives has encouraged many Universities in India to start academic courses and pursuits in Gandhian Studies across India reiterating the fact that Gandhian Principles ,Philosophy and Values will remain relevant for a long long time to come.I take this opportunity to thank our Primeminster for the enlightening article in your esteemed newspaper.Thanks and Regards Vishwanath Krishnaswamy, Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
2
A very thoughtful article that presents India as an inclusive country that welcomes diversity and protects minority interest and values. True that was the vision of Gandhi and other founding fathers of India like Nehru, Ambedhkar, Patel, Sarojini Naidu and others. But I must say respectfully that based on his actions and words the current PM and his party, the BJP and its idealogical parent RSS, will go down in history as one of the most divisive and polarizing Administration in India. As I observe India from my visits to my native country I see a change where minority rights (mostly Muslim but also Christian and other lower caste Hindu communities) are being trampled, hate crimes and violence against minorities is increasing, respect for diverse thoughts and values is being eroded. And most importantly the dream of a diverse, multi-religion, multi language, multi race, and multi ethnic India is being replaced by a more muscular Hindu India.
So the values described in the article are noble but the actions by the current political leadership in India in no way mirror or follow the original Gandhian Principles. Gandhi if he were to come back would NOT recognize India and in all likelihood go on one of his famous civil disobedience fast or march.
9
Gandhi gave the world the living embodiment of peace, wisdom and nonviolent action in behalf of all humanity. Dr. King did the same. Without his leadership and luminous presence achieving the Civil Rights for minorities would have likely involved far more bloodshed and deaths. Yes, Gandhi's teachings and his life are even more relevant today than during his lifetime. On this momentous day, I salute both of those Great Souls. Would be we might find their like for this troubled age.
Gandhi was relevant , is relevant now and will remain relevant in the years to come by not only to my country and countrymen but globally. He was a visionary leader and was aware that a strifetorn India will not be able to concentrate on the aspect of development.Hence the emphasis on Non- Violence .As our Primeminster has pointed in his article Gandhi was a catalyst, a change agent and an harbinger of hope and trust for millions of Indians and the International community.Iconic global leaders and influencers like Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela's acceptance and practice of principles enunciated by Mr Gandhi stand's testimony to the fact that the ides have universal application in this troubled world . Mr Gandhi's principles , vision, ideas, objectives has encouraged many Universities in India to start academic courses and pursuits in Gandhian Studies across India reiterating the fact that Gandhian Principles ,Philosophy and Values will remain relevant for a long long time to come.I take this opportunity to thank our Primeminster for the enlightening article in your esteemed newspaper.Thanks and Regards Vishwanath Krishnaswamy, Mysuru, Karnataka, India .
Gandhiji was truly a great man. His ideals are eternal, but seldom followed by today's "small" leaders in their deeds.
2
This tribute stands in stark contrast to the other NYT piece today highlighting the president's passionate desire to shoot people at the border between Mexico and the U.S. It pains me to say it, but there is a total lack of leadership in the world today and someone like Gandhi is unlikely to arise any time soon.
Just a reminder of how conscious Gandhi was of human nature: On October 22, 1925, Gandhi published a list he called the Seven Social Sins in his weekly newspaper Young India.
Politics without principles.
Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.
Amazing stuff.
10
Great article.
Problem is Gandhism takes you to extreme and ignores industrial revolution. Gandhi was not an admirer of rapid industrialization and wanted village as self-sufficient unit. Gandhi wanted armies/air forces across the world cease to exit.
India after independence did not go Gandhian way. Though every major city in India as Mahatma Gandhi road, India chose different road to progress.
Rajan(Chhota)
2
I completely get that we truly live in Orwellian times. NaMo espousing Gandhian values of inclusion and empathy is simply priceless.
7
According to Arundhati Roy, Gandhi was a supporter of the caste system. Neither did he oppose racism and discrimination against black people in Southafrica while he lived there. Yes, he was a leader for change and progress (and ahead of his time when it comes to ecological questions), but he should not be glorified.
Amazing eulogy to Mahatma Gandhi. This article by honourable prime minister throws light on every aspects of the personality of this noteworthy public figure. His public persona of holding the credo and gospel of ahimsa and non-violence made him win acclaim, led people lionize him and follow his principles. His movements led to paradigm shift in the mindset and ethos of that time. But doesn't it seem to look that such spirit is evanescing and dwindling into void which is required to do away with tensions, issues burying the hatchet and end up persisting racism still prevalent in the society?
Let's all pause a moment and remember Gandhi, a man committed to non-violence who was able to effect change in this world.
Not through weapons of mass destruction, but by unwavering devotion to his principles of individual rights to life and liberty, he conquered authoritarianism and raised up the oppressed. Our world faces just such a challenge today.
4
Dear Mr Modi
This article gives me some hope that India is not sinking into the abyss of hate and communalism that Gandhi condemned.
It is true that Islam is in serious trouble. We only need to observe how terribly many Islamic countries treat their own minorities.
At the same time I am feeling very sad about the abuse of the minorities that we are seeing in India.
So soon ,it seems we have forgotten the lessons that we should have learned from Godhra, the exile of Kashmiri Pandits, the Sikh massacres, and especially the horrors of partition when two communities committed such atrocities against each other.
It is always the poor and innocent who have to suffer from the crimes of politicians.and disagreements between countries.
There is definitely less corruption in the government since the BJP was elected.But there is still so much to be done . There is terrible backlog in the courts and cases can go on for 20 to 30 years. India is an environmental disaster. You need to preserve what small amount of clean water, air and forests still exist .
We have a huge educated population ; lets spend money on science, social science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable research instead of spending money on detention centers in Assam.
So now I truly hope that you will ceaselessly work to "make our world ...free from hate ,violence and suffering." Which also means that you will give up membership of the RSS in which you grew up.
3
What Mr. Modi conveniently omits from this beautifully written essay is that his hero Gandhi, for the crime of advocating peace and reconciliation with Muslims, was assassinated by a Hindu ultra-nationalist, precisely the sort of person Modi’s party and politics are currently cultivating. If Mr. Modi truly wishes to honor the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, he could start with a different approach to Kashmir!
9
Just wanted to leave my comment as an honor offering to Gandhi Ji, a true saint. He epitomized the true ideals of Sri Bhagwad Gita - selfless acts in the service of Humanity and Universe. Such souls are hard to come by, even once in millennia.
If there is a person, whose life should be studied by everyone at least once in life, it would be Mahatma Gandhi.
1
Modi's words contradict his actions on the ground.
9
And when will those in Kashmir be free to live in dignity? And to communicate?
When will the people of Assam be safe?
When will the rest of us be free of the guilt of being unable to stop the daily assault on the people our country and the values of Gandhi?
At the very least Mr Modi kindly stop talking about sanitation when manual scavenging persists and the workers die unrecognized as you claim "global attention." Anyone wanting to understand the plight of the manual scavengers can pick up the newspaper seeing reports of death on the job nearly every month. To understand the systematic silencing and most Kafka-esue treatment please see the internationally acclaimed film "Court."
9
I don't understand the criticism of Modi and his reaction to separatism and terrorism.
Should he like Gandhi be OK with partitioning of India again, starting with Kashmir because an intolerant minority wants to be governed by a Islamic government and Sharia law.
If you believe Gandhi's support off the partition of India into India and Pakistan on religious ground was the right move back in the day then your are free to criticize Modi.
The real reason that Pakistan was formed was because of the political ambitions of both Jinnah and Nehru, and Gandhi's preference of Nehru over Jinnah.
3
This sort of doublespeak is expected from Mr Modi and his brand of governance. The posturing works wonders and wins him followers in the west who are happy to hear paeans sung to Gandhi without realizing that Mr Modi embodies a different kind of politics back home. His ardent followers are trending "Godse Amar Rahe" or "Long live Godse" on twitter today on Gandhi's birth anniversary. Godse is the man who killed Gandhi and was a Hindu nationalist, a hero for today's BJP followers. The prime minister fanned the flames of religious bigotry and hatred for the minorities in his time as a chief minister and continues to do so now as prime minister by not condemning such acts enough and funding the fake news manufacturing by his party's IT cell. Gandhi should be critiqued yes, but Gandhi should not be usurped for one's benefit while making sure the best of the ideals he stood for are eroded back home.
50
Extreme right wing forces are on the rise everywhere. These dark forces thrive on hate and the fear of the other. Gandhiji’s message to the world is now more relevant than ever. You can’t fight darkness with darkness. You must become the light that drives away the darkness. You must become the light of tolerance, non-violence and love. His technique of fighting evil and injustice is not only practical, but it is the ONLY lasting way that ends the cycle of violence. Humanity either heeds Bapu's message and survive or ignore it and perish.
4
Except that it is cynical that this man, Modi, who is one of those forces of darkness, is abusing the legacy of Gandhi in this way.
3
Gandhi is a treasure to not only India but to everyone in the world who loves freedom and peace.
3
I am a strong believer in the precepts of Ghandi and admire greatly his influence on movements for social justice. However, I find it ironic that a leader who foments a nationalist movement that perpetuates violence and discrimination against Muslims is the voice of Ghandi. Ghandi sacrificed himself endlessly to end the violence against Muslims and Hindus alike. He wished fervently to put an end to religious conflicts and had a dream of a multicultural India, something that is not given enough tribute to in this article.
7
A well written great tribute to the Mahatma. Timely too. There are some in Prime Minister Modi's own party coalition propagating revisionist history disparaging Gandhi.
1
@Sanjay
"Some"? Modi himself is doing it.
1
Let's try to unpack this piece.
The man, who has gleefully decided to invoke the universally revered teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi to preach the gospel of peace, behind the scenes in his own country actively works to institutionalize a punitive and oppressive approach towards the afflicted Kashmiri community, as extensively and valiantly documented by the very newspaper he chooses to pay lip service to Gandhi.
The paradox of populists, globally, is that they promise to empower the people, but end up accumulating more and more power in their own hands.
And Mr. Modi is the most latest and public manifestation of this phenomenon.
29
Sure, we could use a reminder of all the good that a Gandhian creed might do for this world, even if we disentangle the philosophy from Bapu's more problematic positions on caste and work with a flat-footed rendition such as this one. But there is no sound justification for this man, Modi, being the messenger of Gandhi's worldview. I'd mention just one point, for the sake of brevity: The attempt to absolve the charge of toxic nationalism that has been justifiably leveled against Modi and his ilk by insinuating that nationalism, when it "becomes a fact," must necessarily involve the kind that Gandhi envisioned, is a gross display of equivocation. No, Mr. Modi, Indian nationalism cannot be painted with one giant brushstroke. The Indian nationalism that your party espouses, replete with its support for lynchings, for its Islamophobia, for its underwriting of kleptocratic business, for its war-mongering with its neighbors, is of a fundamentally different texture than the kind of nationalism you want to attribute to Gandhi. The kind of nationalism you present as a blueprint is a chimera. It would require a nation that sustains a kind of humility, a kind of self-awareness and questioning, that the BJP has shown itself incapable of. Working with climate-science, and towards combatting climate change, is a laudable thing. But one still 'cooks' the data when it is marshaled toward the PR stunt that is your modus operandi.
22
It is a sad irony that the present leader of India, who exhibits so few of Gandhi's traits, should praise him. While what he writes is true, Mr. Modi's own actions speak more loudly than words. Gandhi insisted that India be a secular state, not a Hindu one; Mr. Modi has done everything is his power to undo this primary element of the Indian Constitution.
17
I don't know who this "Gandhi" guy was, but his comment that "rights accrue automatically to him who duly performs his duties" sounds pretty dubious to me! And the writer's suggestion that "tech leaders" should be at the forefront of spreading such ideas "through innovation" is downright scary!
All kidding aside, I'm kind of not kidding.
4
@TMJ Scary indeed. No kidding.
Also the not so subtle substation of "ownership" for "trusteeship." All part of the smooth replacement of Gandhi with not-Gandhi.
2
@TMJ Agree totally with your comment on tech leaders. As for not knowing who the "Gandhi" guy is, you should really make up for lost time. You've slept through a 20th century phenomenon.
So, let me see if I got it right: The person responsible for the current brutal suppression of the right of Kashmiris, who locked them up in their homes for weeks, cancelled their electricity, cell-phone service, internet and freedoms of speech and assembly, it preaching to us about the greatest paragon of peaceful resistance and civil disobedience? A bit too rich for my stomach. TG
21
Gandhi was an iconic figure, a symbol of peace, non-violence, and tolerance. He was against religious intolerance. He tried to prevent communal riots, stayed in the houses of Muslim minorities to protect them. Unfortunately, Mr. Modi and his fanatic followers have made India less Gandhian. Persecution of religious minorities has become intense, especially in Kashmir. Indeed, India needs Gandhi more than ever before.
27
I find this post to be so hypocritical. Did Modi think of the principles of Gandhi, when his own party and the orange brotherhood waged violence on women, members of various castes and non Hindus? Would Gandhi espouse the blatant violation of rights of the Kashmiri people? The PM is being selective when it comes to applying Gandhi's teachings. For everything that the PM touts, there is a long, long list of his wrong doings. What the world needs is globalism, inclusiveness - not nationalism (which is espoused by Modi and Trump) and hatred of others.
20
Yes, the world could definitely use some more leaders like Gandhi, however we could also use fewer like Modi, whose exploitation of nationalism to consolidate his own power and his embrace of Trump has made the world a less just and more dangerous place.
9
There is no doubt that we require more Gandhis through out the world. And there is no better time than this. Right now in the world, the rhetoric is primarily not what Gandhi would have even dreamt of. There needs to be more inclusivity, non violence, peaceful protests, importance for sanitation, steps to thwart climate change, helping hand for the downtrodden and migrants, and every action to save our beloved earth. This would be what we offer for the next generation! How many us have thought about our carbon credits that we contribute to the environment, which is actually our duty and not the right. Of course, Gandhi lived at a time when we had no worries about carbon credit, but yes he focussed a lot for the environment.
The dichotomy persists between the rich and the poor. The sad part is when we see the poorest of the poor at the foothills of the world's richest man's house. We need world leaders who would 'bridge' the gap between the rich and poor. We need leaders who would spend a few days in a migrants hut. There are still a few leaders who can take the lead and be the change that the world requires right now. The world needs a watchful protector.
38
Our Prime Minister’s Op-Ed article in the New York Times today strikes all the right chords on our Father of the Nation, Gandhiji and indeed at this juncture there are so many things to draw inspiration from as we continue to build India.
One of the facets as the article mentions is so awe-inviting, the fact that in times when there were no channels of communication in this vast country, Gandhiji could unite the diverse people who had so little in common and the methods he applied were so simple from the Salt Satyagraha to the Quit India movement which brought many diverse communities to the mainstream of the political movement.
But what is striking, as the article notes, that his contribution went beyond the political unification of the idea of India into creating the foundations of a society that is built not on caste and creed but basic human values that the ancient society of India was based on.
But it must have been so difficult in Bapuji’s time to unite people through simple symbols like Charkha, which became an article of association or take the coinage of the term ‘Harijan’ to uplift the status of the most downtrodden people; he remains India’s Father of the Nation.
46
When I was born India was not yet Independent. When I read what Gandhi sacrificed personally to obtain freedom for us I cry, I am not exaggerating. I am a retired professor from a respected University in India. I was Fellow at Harvard and University of London. Could I get that far if we did not get freedom. Certainly not. So personally I am indebted and I cherish my freedom, and the freedom that we all Indians got. Gandhi will live ever in the hearts of all Indians.
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@PRK Reddy "I was Fellow at Harvard and University of London. Could I get that far if we did not get freedom."
I congratulate you on these achievements but Indians did achieve even under British rule.
Tagore won his Nobel prize 34 years before the British left India. Ramanujan did brilliant work in mathematics, also before the British left.
But it is true that there was a great deal of racism and denial of opportunity to Indians.
Things have changed. I find it comforting that India has sent two missions to the moon and one to Mars while the UK has sent none.
7
This homage to Gandhi is a much needed reminder of the continuing relevance of his vision in our world of war and ecological collapse. It is odd that it comes from the current prime minister of India. Among Gandhi's pearls of wisdom was his statement that it took the resources of half the planet to industrialize England. "How many planets will it take to industrialize India?" he asked. Yet India appears to be pursuing a development model under Mr. Modi, based on heavy foreign investment by multinational corporations that is in sharp contrast to the local self reliance taught by Gandhi. It might also be worth remembering that Mr. Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist, a movement now led by Mr. Modi.
119
Outstanding tribute to a great soul. Gandhi did not preach war, or retribution, only justice, independence, and opportunity. His vision was one of unity. his nonviolent movement has achieved things that wars could never have. Yet these same struggles continue to today, if in different guise, while we face new challenges not seen in his time, such as climate change, nuclear annihilation, and population pressures. But if we act with unity and humility, as he would have advocated, we can overcome these as well.
18
Thanks for this piece. We need his inclusive vision, his vision on ecology and human beings, and his love of humanity at this time all over the world. I always thought he was a humanist and not a a narrow nationalist, this writing shows how he wove the two together. Thanks Modiji for a great piece.
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@Rinita Mazumdar
First of all this piece is certainly not by Narender Modi. His qualification does not match with this letter.
Now who is talking about equality and respect for all when Muslims and Dalits are suffering all over India esp. in Kashmir.
Gandhi Talk us about nonviolence and today so much hatred and violence in India just because one is not a Hindu and of upper caste.Practice before you teach.
3
I agree with the contents of the article. I am an admirer of Gandhi the father of India. However India under the current administration is not treating minorities, Muslims and Christians fairly. We are all God's children was Gandhi's argument against the injustice of the caste system.
I hope India will go back to its founding principles preached by Mahatma Gandhi. God bless !!
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@Sankaran Mahatma Gandhi beat his wife and believed in the system of oppression India has occasioned onto women for centuries. Women, half the population, deserve human rights, too, as, last time I checked, they are human beings.
@Sankaran
Current Indian politics is dominated by anti-social hypocrites like Dravidian goons masquerading as a political party for the lowest castes, but exploiting them the most. Hence a tougher version of Gandhi's needed to deal with internal bad characters.
2
Gandhiji truly represented the best of us. We should remember his inspiring words on non-violence “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. Unfortunately, globally we are embracing blindness and forgetting our humanity.
21
Ghandi took on the British Empire and won, through non- violent means. The greatest leader the world has ever known, he used not guns, but insistence on the inherent dignity of men and women, to achieve change.
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@Carolyn
(Although, at least at first, mostly on the dignity of men… and mostly European men…)
As a young man growing up in 50's and 60's I dismissed Gandhi as great man for the past. As I grew older and began reading books and articles written about him and written by Gandhi himself, I was convinced of his greatness and his ideas being relevant to modern world. He is far more relevant today than in the past. Let us all dedicate ourselves to the betterment of humanity and our home planet on this day.
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Gandhi was a much more complex character than portrayed in this article. While he believed in non-violence, biographers have pointed out his tendencies to be cruel to even his own wife and grand niece Manu. Moreover, Gandhi was often anti-scientific and was obsessed with his physical desires. It is the Second World War that led to India and other "colonies" gaining independence, and one should not over-emphasize the role of the non-violent movement.
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@A Van Dorbeck In any beautiful and growing forest, there are some trees that are weak, even rotten and about to fall. Look at Gandhi's evolving life as that kind of dynamic forest. At different times of his life, Gandhi exhibited poor judgments and readily confessed them, but he grew from them in truth and wisdom( He called his life an "open book").
With that kind of humble perspective, you will see him exactly as Einstein, Truman, Mountbatten, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., and countless other great figures saw him-- as a beacon to humanity with the brightest light.
Independence for India was not his work alone, true, but by all accounts his movement was paramount, not secondary, in the outcome. There was a mass awakening against imperialism in India under Gandhi's leadership that no power in the U.K. could have fought against with success except through unleashing another holocaust.
4
It is also known that he insisted on sleeping with young girls in his bed in his old age, although much like kind David; without intercourse. Weird nevertheless.
1
During last 150 years, it is not that we have forgotten Gandhi. But, in recent years when most of the countries are looking to put their interest first at the cost of other countries, Gandhi and his ideologies have become more relevant. It is time for the world to remember Gandhi and learn from his thoughts and his way of working.
He taught us how to fight for the welfare of the society in the most cleanest way. His non-violent techniques of fighting and challenging Britishers during British India's colonization were more influential. Britishers got fed up with his techniques like Quit India Movement, Dandi March. His life was truly devoted for the welfare of the poor and society in general.
India is proud to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi guide the world with his thinkings and ideologies.
16
Prime Minister Modiji, Thank you for shining a ray of hope in a world that seems insistent on engulfing itself in darkness. And reminding us of our responsibility to preserve this little blue dot which we share with all its inhabitants. As a kid growing up in India, for me viewing Gandhiji's souvenirs in the birth centenary train in 1969 is a cherished memory. Happy Birthday Bapu. And Happy Birthday to another great leader of India, the second Prime Minister of independent India, Lal Bahadur Shastriji.
18
As a young man I remember reading about Ghandi. I have read biographies and books of his teachings. I'm just a regular Jersey boy, but even as such I could see that there was something special about this man that shone through. It was not simply his message was 'peace' when we were experiencing so much violence. He embodied what Christians call the holy spirit - and all religions recognize by various other names. Long live his spirit and memory.
16
Those who seek wealth and power will never have enough. Happiness lies within the human spirit. To be content with what one has is to know perfect peace.
8
Gandhi is pinnacle of us Indians on tolerance. With around 1000 years of foreign rule (800 years of Muslim + 200 years of British), still a nation supports non violance methods of Gandhi to get freedom is remarkable.
Gandhi is the core voice of India that sends message to the whole world is that tolerance, non violance and peace is something which can keep humanity alive.
Gandhi also shows to the world how can a common man with no resources, no system can become a world leader. That can be achievable through your personal growth and true values...And Gandhi was master of that.
Happy 150th birthday to him!!
20
Mr. Gandhi’s simple way of life with high ideals is more relevant today than perhaps it was in his times. His views transcended geographic boundaries, religion, sex, wealth, religion etc. He tried to unite people with love and did not sow hatred like today’s leaders and a strong proponent of non-violence. He practiced what he preached and had unabiding faith in non-violence. It’s hard to imagine how Mr. Gandhi would have reacted to the proliferation of guns and nuclear arms and day-to-day violence. Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Martin Luther King, President Mr. Obama and Mr. Narendra Modi are truly leaders with a vision to change the world for better. Mr. Gandhi insisted on stating truth and do no evil to others. Unfortunately some of today’s leaders get tangled in lies after lies
Very proud of Mr. Modi and wish him all the success to lead India and possythe world on his footsteps
9
Great tribute to the father of the nation “bapu” and a good message for our generation. Thank you Modi Ji !
11
I have studied and taught Ghandi. The world does need a spiritual leader to remind us of what God wants for his children. And, we are ALL God's children. The rich and powerful abuse their good fortune, thinking they are God's chosen few. This was not the message that neither Ghandi or Jesus brought to the world. Unfortunately, the powerful always execute those who speak God's words. They fear a loss of importance. On the other hand, money is their god, so nothing is forbidden in their world.
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well Gandhi was very sceptic about western philosophy of economic growth. He always stressed upon sustainable growth (which in indian villages was present for thousands of years unfortunately we also became victims of so called "crony capitalism")
2
@Dr Russell Carter - stop using the word GOD , it’s been abused a lot.
There is “creation” & the source of creation.
3
@Dr Russell Carter For someone who has studied and taught the Mahatma, at least do yourself and your students a favor by spelling the great soul's name right. It is "Gandhi" and not "Ghandi" (which has a different meaning and connotation in the great man's language). And Gandhi would be appalled that his student is trying to bring in Christ into this discussion, suggests you have not understood the man.
2