21/10/25

Remembering Mahatma

Each time I read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography, it sparks new reflections on his extraordinary life. He remains one of the most discussed figures in the modern world, and his philosophy of non-violence and service grows more relevant today than ever. I must admit that we Indians often know little about him and are ungrateful to this great son of our nation. Many pass judgments on him without reading his autobiography or understanding his life. There’s a tendency to belittle his achievements, and I can only sympathize with those unable to grasp the depth of a spiritually and morally elevated soul like the Mahatma. Gandhi’s Christ-like saintliness and purity of heart are widely admired. Yet, his autobiography reveals a strong-willed, curious man, deeply engaged with the world beyond his immediate sphere. His love for travel and his outreach are evident in his efforts to learn Tamil, Urdu, and other languages to connect with Indians in South Africa. His selfless nature won over even his adversaries, earning him countless friends. Though a practicing Hindu, his faith transcended rituals; he believed, “God can be realized only through service.” Gandhi acknowledged the influence of Christianity on his life, reading the Bhagavad Gita at the urging of Theosophist friends in England. His keen interest in studying religions, engaging in debates, and sincere tolerance toward all faiths defined his spiritual journey. God was the guiding force behind Gandhi’s actions and beliefs, marking him as a profoundly blessed soul. While deeply Indian at heart, he drew inspiration from global thinkers like John Ruskin, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau, transcending narrow nationalism. His commitment to sanitation and service led him to nurse those afflicted by contagious diseases, yet remarkably, he never contracted them. As a mass leader, Gandhi’s charisma inspired people to undertake even the most demanding tasks without him needing to ask. Steadfast in his ideals, he was nearly impossible to sway unless he chose to be. Gandhi’s autobiography is a must-read for all humanity. While it may not make us Mahatmas, it can undoubtedly make us better human beings. During a time when the world was at war, he wrote, “Soul-force is matchless,It is superior to the force of arms. Men who use physical force are strangers to the courage requisite in a passive resistence" (Satyagrahi). Through his life, he proved that ahimsa (non-violence) is the prerogative of the courageous, achieving greatness not through power or status, but by renouncing them. Gandhi’s teachings are more relevant than ever in a world consumed by mindless materialism and rampant consumerism, where wars are waged to assert dominance over the weak and to seize land and resources. Sadly, even in his homeland, Gandhi is often forgotten, reduced to a token figure as the Father of the Nation.

“Thum Allah ka Bachha Hain”



My first visit to Kashmir years back transformed my perception of the region. Upon landing at Srinagar airport, I was struck by its fortress-like atmosphere, surrounded by uniformed soldiers. The absence of civilians was stark, and I searched in vain for the person meant to receive me amidst the intense gazes of the army personnel. A phone call to my host yielded only his voice saying, “I’m here, come out.” I soon realized that, unlike other airports, visitors are not allowed near the premises. This gave me the initial impression that Kashmiris live under constant fear. However, as I left the airport with my host, my apprehension gave way to awe. The road to Srinagar was lined with lush greenery and misty mountains, a sight more verdant than any Indian city I’d visited. Towering chinar trees stood proudly, embodying Kashmiri heritage. Contrary to my expectations, life seemed to flow normally—people went about their daily routines, unbothered. The warmth of Kashmir’s people won my heart. Their hospitality made me feel at home, rivaled only by the kindness I’d experienced among Tibetans in Dharamsala. They served Kashmiri kahwa—a fragrant blend of cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, and green tea leaves—with the affection reserved for a dear friend. Everywhere I went, I saw hope in people’s eyes. Like anyone else, Kashmiris strive to make a living, nurturing ordinary dreams. Yet, many expressed frustration with the media’s portrayal of their land. “They never write anything good about Kashmir, only the bad,” a local businessman told me. It made me wonder if we, as a society, are too fixated on negativity. One of my most cherished memories is watching Dal Lake from a houseboat at dawn. As the mild sun rays kissed the foggy mountains, a cool breeze carried fresh air, and I longed to linger in that moment with a hot cup of kahwa. The sight of boats gliding across the lake, carrying everything from vegetables to handicrafts, was enchanting. Dal Lake felt like a bustling town of its own. I left Kashmir with a yearning to return, carrying wordless emotions in my heart. During my stay, I befriended an elderly caretaker at my host’s bungalow. He and his daughter warmly served me Kashmiri butter tea, a salty tea reminiscent of Tibetan tea. We spoke about his village, located far from Srinagar, and he kindly invited me to visit it on my next trip to Kashmir. His gentle and sincere demeanor was that of typical any villager, exuding warmth and innocence.While leaving Srinagar with a heavy heart,his words echoed in my mind: “Tum Allah ka bacha hai” (You are child of God). As he placed his hands on my head and murmured those words, I couldn’t hold back my tears.

Exploring Random thoughts

While flying from Mangalore to Delhi, I had a fascinating chat with a sailor seated next to me. He shared his experiences at sea, explaining how Indian captains are overly submissive to ship owners, leading to excessive workloads for sailors. In contrast, foreign captains boldly stand up to them. This rings true and exemplifies our deeply ingrained submissive nature. It reflects a broader trait in our national character: a pervasive fear of authority and the powerful, traceable back to our feudal era. Feudalism isn’t unique to India—many societies, including Europe, were once feudal—but the Industrial Revolution largely eradicated feudal mindsets in Europe, while India still grapples with them. Communal and class divisions remain deeply entrenched in our society as well. This fear of questioning authority makes our country fertile ground for high-level corruption, dragging us backward. Fear stifles free thinking and innovative ideas; nothing can flourish in an atmosphere of dread. Our parents instill this fear from childhood, as do our schools, where we end up rote-mugging whatever is taught. Education rarely encourages questioning or out-of-the-box thinking; instead, it produces an army of walking robots from our universities. Things are worsening today, as right-wing ideology seeks to capture educational institutions and instill hatred among students. They aim to erase the noble aspects of our history through xenophobia and propaganda.Thus, truth has become the biggest casualty—it’s increasingly hard to discern fact from fiction. Indians are constantly fed lies and propaganda: our media has been bought, the judiciary silenced or coerced into issuing government-favorable judgments, honest people jailed, bright young Muslim scholars imprisoned, elections rigged, elected representatives bought off, and scams an open secret. Yet we remain scared to question authority. This stems from an education system that silences the masses—one that chases money at the expense of conscience. As long as our families are safe, we hardly care about others. As the saying goes, “Catch them young.” For India to change and hold politicians accountable, our education system must transform. It should be value-based, fostering innovative thinking. It’s astonishing that a nation of over a billion produces only job seekers knocking on the doors of rich countries. We merely copy the West, with no original inventions or creations to claim. We must stop being blind devotees of politicians and religions; instead, embrace true spirituality and elect inclusive, kind leaders over divisive ones. Above all, we must teach our children to ask questions rather than blindly follow the herd.