Is Gandhism Dead?

Today we celebrate the Birthday of a man- a common man who established his own empire agianst the british empire and defeated them. But more importantly, today there will be a national holiday!!

And if you have some extra time in your hands you can even go to your local Khadi stores and get 25% discount on this special occasion. And if you are lucky they will even throw in a pair of goodies with foreign labels which Gandhi would have burned in streets.

Today, politicians will garland Gandhi’s ubiquitous golden framed photos and will give speeches on non-violence to the contract audience , but more importantly , will distribute sweets !!... and if we are lucky we might even get specials in our lunch !

So, Gandhi was a good man…fine. Gandhism established itself as a form of revolt…fine. Gandhism is one of the most ethical and strong form of non-violent protests…very fine. Will you practice it..? Ahem…

Or the question is …Will anyone listen to you if you adopt Gandhian methods?
So the question is -Is Gandhism relevant today? …or even if feasible?


I don’t want to discuss much….i just want everyone to make their own view…I just want to give some food for thought-

Narmada Aandolan protesters adopted the non-violent route and they haven’t got a success yet after 2 decades.

AIIMS doctors and thousands of students adopted a non-violent route to protest against the reservation regime proposed by Arjun Singh. Protests went for weeks including hunger strikes and included lathi-charge and use of water cannon against the students. Final Result?- OBC reservation was implemented.

Gujjars turned violent asking for OBC status. They went on rampage damaging railway tracks and nearly isolated a whole state from rest of the country. Final Result? Within few days Indian Government bowed to Gujjars and gave them the backward status.

My questions to the elite think-tank (or so they say abt IIT-IIM guys) are:

Is Gandhism (or Gandhigiri for romantics) irrelevant today? Would Gandhi himself succeeded in the current world? Gandhi’s principles assume that oppressor will feel guilty at some point of time…is this assumption valid in today’s world?

Go Ahead...your views will be published as a post in my blog for discussion.

Ret Par Likha Hua Naam

Before you start reading my first kavita i need you to read the disclaimers :D

Disclaimer
1. This poem has nothing to do with my personal status ( I'm happily engaged :-) )
2. Being the first time i didn't bother much about hindi/urdu consistency. Purists may forgive me.
3. Constructive criticism is very much invited (including "Don't bother with poetry again" !!)

Pata tha ishq main mar mit na payenge hum,

Par fir bhi aashiqui ka shauq rakhne lage

Ab woh hume chahe ya na chahe

Par ret ke gharondo main hum hi apne khwab sanjone lage

Pata tha un aankhon ka pyala nasib nahi mujhe,

Use dosh na dena duniya walon

Jab uski ek nazar ko apne hisse ka pyar maan,

Hum hi apni khushfehmi main madhosh hone lage

Sagaron ki baat kahan karte usse,

Hum to lehron se bhi anjaan chale

Jo Ret pe kured ke uska naam,

Hum bhi apna prem amar karne lage

Par thokar to lagna hi thi jo,

Ek sapne par hum apna haq samajhne lage

Jin raaston ko taakti thi nigahain humesha,

Ab to we raaste bhi hume anmane se karne lage

Par

Itna zulm seh kar bhi koi gila nahi usse,

Kyunki,

Aakhirkar hum ab,

Pyar ka matlab samajhne lage

The Bullet Point

'So you want admission here' - He asked

'Yes Sir, i feel i am well qualified for this place. I did many good things in my life which you can see on my resume'

'Hmmmmmm i see that, but is there anything which you don't have on your Resume, for which i can reward you by admitting you into this place'

'No...this is everything i have. This is my life's work' I said nervously

'Are you pretty sure?' He pushed again

'Sir, i thought i will be one of the most eligible candidates because all the good work i have done in my life'

'Ya you have done good work but you have already received your returns on those by writing it in your resume and getting good jobs. And we have strict laws here. We can only provide a pass for your deeds for which you have not got anything in your life. You flashed these bullet points at every opportunity you got and reaped its benefits.But not here.

Sorry. Your application for entering into heaven is rejected'