Thursday, March 05, 2009

Much ado about nothing!

A lot is being talked about in the media about auction of Gandhi's belongings!

I respect Gandhi as father of Nation and as an individual. I respect him because he has led India by example, professed a way of living, and unified India.

But it is ridiculous to deify him. By deifying, we are defying the very message that he sought to convey; message that it is possible to have ideals which for a good cause and live by those ideals, and that it is the right way to live. It does not require a superhuman to be that. Unfortunately, we seem to be comfortable making him a superhuman idol to be worship on suitable occasions.

He has expressed himself in a talisman to be used occasions when one doubts as to what is the right choice; it centered around helping the poor.

As things stand, we have slums even now, and we have poor in India who hardly get a proper meal every day. I fail to understand the hue and cry behind his personal belonging conveniently forgetting the spiritual message. What difference this auction would make to that poor in the country?

I understand that legally his belongings are due to Navajivan Trust. But what purpose are we trying to achieve by bringing his possessions to India while India seems to have long forgotten him, except during special occassions