Where is India headed?

Every Indian is disenchanted with our politicians due to many goings going wrong in the country today. Growing indiscipline everywhere at all levels, complete erosion of all cultural, ethical, moral and religious values, ever rising tide of communalism, regionalism, casteism, parochialism besides rampant corruption have entered every portal of society only witnessing mounting violence at the drop of the hat in the absence of a honest, dedicated, inspiring and enlightened leadership is disturbing because it has raised question in many quarters of the country as to how long can we continue in this manner even after seven decades of freedom.

As Gandhiji's memory of late has been limited to Gandhigiri and Gandhism forgetting totally about Mahatma's message and polity founded on the edifice of truth, non-violence, fraternal brotherhood, equity and natural justice for one and all, the cult of hatred and violence fanned by selfish and corrupt politicians have become the order of the day. This has resulted in the nation treading a wrong path where education is in a depressing state, quality health-care to the poor is non-existent, growing child labour and malnourished children receiving least attention and endless list of things which Bapu advocated to be removed from the society have been thrown at the back-burner thus systematically violated Gandhian values and principles.

As we mark the beginning of the 150th birth anniversary of our beloved father of the nation in the 21st century, it is correctly said that Mahatma's thoughts remain as essential and more relevant today as they were in his time because it offers tangible solutions to several problems faced by people not only in India but throughout the world. In a world where nations and societies are torn apart by terrorists and radicalisation, real values of life like peace and ahimsa set out and practiced by Mahatma never get lost even if the country had undergone changes in every sphere of life because it has the power to unite humanity.

Thus the notion of returning love for hatred and good for evil which Gandhiji professed is the panacea to end violence, in this context, Albert Einstein's quote "Gandhiji's life's work is unique in political history because he has devised a quite new and humane method for fostering the struggle for liberation of his suppressed people and has implemented it with greatest energy and devotion" sums up that Gandhiji's philosophy and ideals remain ever relevant for sustainable development by nurturing nature and the downtrodden.