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Gandhian philosophy relevant: Sonia

Special Correspondent

Gandhian way offered an answer to all challenges
Political liberty must go with economic progress

NEW DELHI: The Gandhian philosophy has not lost its relevance, and in fact, it has become more pertinent in today’s world as an effective tool in conflict resolution.

This was stated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in South Africa this week while urging the youth of the Rainbow Nation to “embrace Gandhian truth and action.”

“All around us we witness that violent means do not bring about a lasting change; that violence cannot bring about peace. Violence only begets violence and spirals on,” Ms. Gandhi said while delivering the inaugural lecture of the Gandhi Lecture Series in Cape Town University.

Speaking on the “‘Relevance of Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century,” Ms. Gandhi said: “The simple truth is that instead of diminishing in relevance, Mahatma Gandhi has actually become all the more pertinent in the 21st Century.”

Stating that the Gandhian way offered an answer to all challenges, she, said: “We would be doing him great injustice if we didn’t interpret, in contemporary terms, what he spelt out in the context of his times. He would have wanted us to experiment and find our own way without compromising our fundamental beliefs.”

War against terror

Referring to the global war against on terror, she said: “If democracies are going to wage a war against terrorism, the measures that are adopted should be consistent with and not contrary to the values of democracy. This is in keeping with the Gandhian consonance of ends and means.”

Also, according to her, political liberty must go hand in hand with economic progress. “But to be truly meaningful, this growth has to be equitable.”

Dwelling on the Gandhian perspective on economic growth, she said part of the wealth created should be used to better the quality of life of those whose voices remain unheard.

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