Media Release
Udupi, Oct 4: ‘Hind Swaraj’, the little book authored by Mahatma Gandhi, is a text which proposes a moral basis for a civilization as an alternative to crass materialist-consumerist basis of modern civilization, said prof ChandanGowda from Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru.
He was talking about ‘Hind Swaraj in our Times’ on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi in a webinar organised by the Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal here on Monday Ocytober 4. Prof Chandan holds Ramakrishna Hegde Chair for Decentralisation in ISEC, Bengaluru.
The little book, authored in 1909 by Gandhiji, was not taken seriously in between, but today, it has once again assumed a lot of significance, as increasing materialism/consumerism of certain kind has led civilization on the path of disaster as manifest in problems such as climate change, global warming and violence of different kinds, he said.
Gandhiji was thinking about how ‘Swaraj’, a kind of self-rule – both within and outside – could be the moral basis which could save civilization from disaster. Achieving something ‘desirable’ through non-violent means, was a matter of utmost significance for Gandhiji, prof Chandan said.
He also felt that another little text, authored by Gandhiji, to be read along with ‘Hind Swaraj’ was, ‘Constructive Programmes’ which gives an overview of Gandhian method of reconstruction along the lines of ‘Hind Swaraj’. Responding to a query, he said, farmers’ protest (going on in the country) would hold its moral strength so long as its means remain non-violent. Passive resistance is a poor equivalent of the word ‘satyagraha’, he felt.
Speaking earlier, GCPAS director prof Varadesh Hiregange said Sarvodaya was Gandhiji’s final ideal which included welfare of everyone and everything – men, women, marginalised of all castes, classes, region, religion, country and continents, nature, culture, flora, fauna, rivers and mountains. Prof Phaniraj, Prof Tugesh, Ms Benita Fernandes and many others participated in the discussion.Ms Judy Faber compered the programme. ShravyaBasri sang – both the original and Kannada version of VaishnavaJanato. Mariam Roy proposed the vote of thanks.