The out-going Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh advised the youth to adopt Mahatma Gandhi's teachings in their life.
Speaking on the occasion of completion of 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa, the VC gave a message of “liberalism” which he said was the need of the hour in today's scenario.
“Whenever Gandhiji's ally Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan would visit him, he was served non-vegetarian food because of which people questioned him saying would he let this happen while he was a strict vegetarian himself. Gandhiji would calmly say that it's Khan's choice to eat it and mine not to. This was liberalism,” Mr. Singh said while addressing students at Gandhi Bhawan in DU's North Campus.
He was speaking at a lecture “Gandhiji and Satya” which was organised by Gandhi Bhawan, the centre at the university dedicated to the study of the words and works of Gandhi.
“Let noble thoughts come in from all directions to take this country ahead. I want that the young people should follow Mahatma's teachings,” he added.
“I believe, students read about him now and then but in order to be able to make the journey of his life a motivation, not many know about him in detail. Youth must ponder that there must be something extraordinary that he is called Father of the Nation. Gandhi is looked up to by the people across the world. There is a lot to learn from him,” he said.
The talk that started with topics like “liberalism” soon turned into topics like communalism given the charged-up atmosphere in currently in the country. Responding to a question in the audience over growing incidents of communal intolerance in the country, Mr. Singh said Gandhiji is the best example for our country to follow.
