After all, Gandhi was human..

I read a fascinating article on Gandhi in a recent edition of Outlook. It talked about a fling Gandhi had with Tagore's niece Saraladevi. Gandhi was staying in her Lahore home in 1919 while her husband Rambhuj Dutt Chaudhary was in jail. She was 47 at that time and well past her beautiful youth but her intellect attracted Gandhi immensely.
Later, Gandhi would say that he was prevented from "rushing into hellfire" by the thought of Kasturba and because of interventions by his son Devdas, Mahadev Desai and another young relative, Mathuradas Trikamji.
So what does it all mean for the embodiment of sacrifice and self discipline which Gandhi was? Did he lose it once or there are more ghosts in the closet? Should we respect him less in light of this disclosure?

I think there are two important aspects to this story. One, it proves that Gandhi was human( and fallible) and it is still possible to reach his level of accomplishment. His act, though it seems superhuman, can be emulated by anyone who is ready to embrace his values and who has the sense of purpose he had. So rather than feeling disappointed, we should all celebrate a "Human Gandhi" who rose to such heights.

Second, Saraladevi probably was the first person who provided company to a person who was so lonely in his position as a giver. Gandhi, in her, probably saw a companion of equal intellect with whom he could share his thoughts as an equal( and even draw inspiration!!). She was probably someone with whom he could share his sorrows and his needs. Even people of Gandhi's stature need their retreats!!!

Someone rightly said" Ivory tower of scholarship is a lonely place"...

Brand Gandhi Goes Global

I came across this wonderful ad which Telecom Italia has just come up with...it has been the surprise of the year for me. Please click on the link http://www.epica-awards.com/assets/epica/2004/winners/film/flv/11071.htm

A good time to also remember a letter Albert Einstein once wrote to Gandhiji:

Respected Mr. Gandhi !I use the presence of your friend in our home to send you these lines. You have shown through your works, that it is possible to succeed without violence even with those who have not discarded the method of violence. We may hope that your example will spread beyond the borders of your country, and will help to establish an international authority, respected by all, that will take decisions and replace war conflicts.With sincere admiration,Yours A. Einstein.I hope that I will be able to meet you face to face some day.

Gandhi's Talisman..

Gandhi's talisman is one of the last notes which father of the Indian nation wrote in 1948 expressing his deep social thought. The strength of this note lies in its relevance at all times and all ages. Following is the talisman:

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."