Oct 2, 2012
Sri Vishnu Mohan Foundation:
Seminar on
Relevance of Ahimsa & Gandhian Ethics In the contemporary times
Growing Relevance of Gandhian ideals
in new age economy
V Balasubramanian,
Asst Resident Editor,
The Economic Times
I sincerely appreciate the initiative by the foundation to inspire children, youths and senior citizens on the growing relevance of Gandhian principles and values.
Having imbibed Mahatma’s name, the Foundation can really take pride in celebrating and spearheading the immortal and universal values and principles of Gandhiji.
In critical times like what we are facing today, it is all the more important for imbibing Gandhian principles, ideals and values among children and youths. They had relevance in the past, have more relevance at present and will continue to have in many more years to come.
It is time for all of us to always fondly remember Mahatma and refer and reflect Gandhian principles such as non-violence, courage, truth, selfless service, honesty, integrity and Grama Swarajya.
His religion was tolerance
We all know how Gandhiji won a great non-violent battle against the mighty British Empire and in the process evolved a moral force so powerful that it attracted the attention and admiration of the world. Mahatma said,” I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills”.
In an age of mutually assured destruction, we need to remember Gandhiji’s warning about an eye for an eye making the whole world blind. We are all craving to live in a world of peace. Whereas, we are living in such a horror world that looks like we need to observe an international day of non-violence every day not just on Jan 30, when Gandhiji became a Martyr.
Gandhiji’s strengths came from his faith but his religion was tolerance. We need to teach our children that compassion is above justice.
You all would have read US President, Barack Obama’s reaction to the violent reactions in the US that erupted in the aftermath of an anti-Islam film. He said, “It is time to head the words of Gandhi, “Intolernce is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit”.
Gandhi as brand ambassador
No wonder, with increasing penetration of internet and Google, he has turned the best Role model for today’s generation across the world. And also an inspiration and a brand ambassador for leading organisations.
In one of its famous advt campaign on Oct 2, Mont Blanc recalled his famous quote that “the way to truth lies through Ahimsa (non-violence)” it pays tribute to the man whose words had the power to move the masses and the soul.
To commemorate Gandhi’s historic Salt March in 1930, it unveiled an 18 carat gold nib plated with rhodium pen at a cost of Rs 14 lakh.
In the 1990s, Apple, which has now turned a giant in the Iphone age, used Gandhi’s meditating image to launch its Machintosh range of computers. That is now a collector’s item.
At the height of global financial crisis in 2008-09 when several banks collapsed, AIG in its advt relied on Mahatma Life to win the confidence of investors. Its advt said, “some times all it takes to change the world is not be changed by it”.
Further, AIG, which had a JV with Tatas said, “one man who believed he could stand by his convictions and seize the future. His determination, courage and undying resolve to change the world continue to inspire us. We saluate his resilient spirit to overcome every challenge. Let us unleash the power of one. And continue for ever the legacy of Mahatma”.
We all know the success of movies like Gandhi in early 80s starred by Attenborough and Sanjay Dutt moved Munnabhai in 2006.
Customer service is the buzz word in the liberal era. On entering any bank branch, we find only Gandhi said about customer service. “A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependant on us. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so”.
The most important quote I admire the most is “ We must be the change we wish to see”. If Bhagavat Gita tought us the importance of accepting change in our life, Gandhiji wanted all of us to embrace it and set an example before expecting others to do it. In times of change, there is no incentive so great and no medicine so powerful as hope for a better tomorrow.
Gram Swaraj was his dream
Gandhiji said, “I have believed and repeated times without number that India is to be found not in its few cities but in its villages”. Even after 65 years of our Independence and economic liberalisation since 1991, 70% of our population still dependent on rural economy. It remains the Real Bharat.
Despite being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, a missing link or disconnect is being felt with a large section of our people, especially in rural India.
Our growth benefits are not trickling down or percolating down thereby widening the rich- poor divide.
That is why; we are seeing more himsa and crimes in the form of violence, terrorism and killings. The policy makers are seeking to resolve the problem through inclusive growth with economic empowerment of the masses by way of education, employment and economic activities.
Gandhiji on Greed.
Gandhian thoughts on Ethical practices have become critical in the context of the madness for wealth creation, both by individuals and organisations. They are also important for overall governance and building an organisational culture.
Let us recall the dialogue in the movie Wall Street which became a hit in 1987. “Greed is good, greed is right, greed works... it will save not only the company but the malfunctioning corporation called the USA,” boomed actor Michael Douglas, portraying the rich fictious character Gordon Gekko, to Teldar Paper stock holders in the 1987 movie Wall Street that won him an academy award.
When this clipping was played in one of the B Schools two years ago and when MBA students were asked “Which is the underlying problem behind the global financial meltdown?” Greed shot back the MBA students in chorus. The students were then reminded of Mahathma Gandhi’s message, “Earth provides everything to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed.”
When asked to choose between Gekko and Gandhiji, the budding managers all replied Mahatma in unison.
Complete erosion in ethical values and loss of moral values are responsible for the failure of banks in the US (25 banks in 2008) and 120 in 2009 so far) as well as the latest scam involving the hedge fund player, Rajrathinam of Galleon Corporation which caused the collapse of so many banks”.
The “hurricane victims” are not only from the financial sector but in the past it had companies like power major, Enron, Worldcom, Tyco Corporation etc., Ethical collapse often precedes financial collapse. If there are ethical problems, financial demise is certain.
Our Motherland is rocked by mega scams like commonwealth games, 2G, Coalgate. Greed and failure of ethical practices are the underlying problem behind the scandals.
Again, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics are two sides of the same coin. The high visibility an organisation gets due to its CRS activities and many awards do not guarantee their following ethical practices”. The best example is the fraud in Satyam Computers involving its founder and promoter, B Ramalinga Raju, who got Asian CSR award.
We see now a days a craze for wealth creation and also buying Yellow metals, all at the cost of our health. Let us rembember what Bapuji said, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”.
Mahatma on Seven Social sins
Politics without principle, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity and worship without Sacrifice.
Pandit Nehru on Mahatma
This light that shone in the country was no ordinary light. And a thousand years later that light will still be seen and the world will see it.
Jai Hind.
