O P Sharma
Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, left us 65 years ago on January 30, 1948. He was the  soul of the Indian freedom struggle on whose magic touch of non-violence, thousands followed  him on the path of sacrifices and sufferings. By his unique Satyagrah Gandhiji was able to set  the unarmed and non-violent Indian masses against the all powerful British rulers of the  country and ultimately successfully led the nation to Independence in 1947.
For him the service of humanity was, in fact, service to  God at the same time  firmly believing in truth and universal brotherhood considering whole world like a family.  ‘Bapu’ as he was affectionately called, did not preach only but he did live up to his teachings  and gave spiritual as well as moral re-orientation to the politics. He had a vision of a new  India with prosperity and justice: social, economic and political for all the citizens.
Gandhi’s Ideals
Gandhiji’s greatest concern was the rural masses and the disadvantaged sections of  society and stood for casteless and classless society. His faith in non-violence and truth was  unshakable. In fact, his political and social life is like a beacon-light shining star. He was  the greatest son of India who throughout his life experimented with truth and subsequently made  the supreme sacrifice after an assassin’s bullet struck him.
Born on October 2, 1869 in Rajkot region of Gujarat State where his father, Karan Chand  Gandhi, was a Dewan. He was devoted to his parents, truth and God from early childhood. After  passing the matriculation examination, Gandhiji qualified as a Barrister-at-law in England.
Model of Dedication
Subsequently in connection with a case he visited South Africa in 1893 and could not  put up with injustice and discrimination of the resident Indians by the British rulers. He  launched his struggle against discrimination in South Africa and thus got initiated into public  life. In 1915 he returned to India and gave a new turn to political atmosphere.
His life from 1919 to 1947 is an open book of struggle and sacrifices for achievement  of freedom. He infused a new spirit and direction by mobilizing the rural masses. His method  was unique: non-violence and non-cooperation against the British rule in India. Under his  inspiring leadership the entire nation stood as one man against the foreign exploitation.
Experiments with Truth
Gandhiji advocated use of Swadeshi goods and promotion of Khadi and Gram Udyog and  pleaded that the villages must be made self-sufficient as the real India lives in her rural  units. The economic Swarajya for the villages was his dream.
Gandhiji wanted to reform man and society through truth and non-violence. He was for  change of heart by service, sacrifice and sufferings to bring about reforms. For him means were  more important than the ends. Purity of means was a cardinal principal of his teachings. The  Mahatma Gandhi had a vision of Indian in which there is no distinction between men and women,  touchable and untouchables and also bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
All Time Relevance
Mahatma Gandhi’s message is still relevant and has been acknowledged fully now across  the globe. After the departure of Mahatmaji, the moral fabric has gone down considerably and he  is “almost forgotten” and remembered only on very few occasions. How can the nation be  galvanized now to hasten socio-economic transformation through Gandhian ways? A redeeming  feature is that in the recent gang-rape case in New Delhi, the young boys and girls carried on  protests peacefully across the country in true Gandhian spirit. This clearly shows that  Gandhiji’s teachings are still relevant and are being followed by the people, especially the  youth.
It is noteworthy that during Mahatma Gandhi’s historic visit to Jammu and Kashmir on  August 1-4, 1947, Bapu had “seen a ray of light” for peace and communal harmony in this  sensitive and strategic State. The people are still highly influenced by Gandhiji’s life and  message.
Clean Politics Only
Gandhi’s philosophy is mainly focused on points like: “Wealth without work”, “Knowledge  without character”, “Politics without morality” “Commerce without ethics”, “Science without  humanity”, “Religion without sacrifice”. Can any nation survive and surge forward without  having consideration to these important factors?
The vigilant public opinion has to assert and spread Gandhi’s teachings for ushering in  socio-economic justice, harmony, gender sensitivity, peace and rapid progress in all spheres of  life. It is time that  the people rededicate themselves to the cause of the common masses for  whom our great leaders suffered numerous hardships and made supreme sacrifices.
Total Commitment
Had Gandhiji been alive today he would have certainly wondered about the doings of our  leadership. The crisis of character and confidence has set in and needs to be effectively dealt  with the truth in politics and purity of means as insisted by Gandhiji.
On January 30, the nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi at Rajghat, New  Delhi. At numerous places in India, the people particularly the young generation pledge to  dedicate themselves for building a New India of Gandhiji’s dreams and ideals.
(Starline Syndicate Service)

Col J P Singh, Retd
Am Admi Party registered an impressive win in Delhi election denting NaMo wave in the national capital otherwise sweeping North India. It surfaced as an unprecedented phenomenon in Indian Politics and its anchoring in Delhi an unexpected miracle. The event, rare in Indian politics, upset Congress and BJP’s applecart for 2014 general election. Hithertofore yours and mine role finished after we had voted. The elected representatives assumed the role of feudal lords. They became self styled rulers. Overtime they became landlords, stinking rich, arrogant and almighty. They enforced mai-baap culture occasionally  opening charity shops for public. Growing middle class could not tolerate the humiliation from those whom they gave such position. This politics was to be given a befitting burial. Hence erupted what is known as Anna movement. And out of Anna movement was born what is today widely debated and discredited Am Admi Party. Nation was  seeking change since the days of Jayapraksh Narayan which was once again blowing across India. Kejriwal, an anti corruption crusader sensed that nation was fed up with feudalistic maai-baap  culture. During Anna and Nirbhay agitations, he sensed the mood of the nation which was looking for a messiah. He saw Delhi was ripe for plucking and jumped into the fray. He formed a political party and easily won the war. But the day to day battles are becoming difficult and embarrassing as seen in the two days botched up street protest led by him on an issue of vigilantism of his law minister.
On the pretext of busting of an unconfirmed ‘drug and sex racket’ in Khirki  locality, Somnath Bharti led an unruly mid-night mob to raid and humiliate women of foreign nationality. However a police officer defied his instructions to uphold their dignity despite being bullied in public. The fact that African women were to be raided, lends racist and controversial angle to the entire episode causing sustained criticism. Kejriwal demanded suspension of three SHOs. When that was not conceded, he  undertook a dharna falling on the heels of 65th Republic Day, few hundred meters away from the site of celebrations. This unconstitutional initiative stirred the conscious of the nation.  Chief minster’s ill considered utterances and law minister’s racist and bitchy comments came under severe criticism. When called anarchist; Kejriwal owned the compliment to the annoyance of every one. He resounded, ‘yes I am anarchist’. His justification was, when there is no way left for achieving political objectives through constitutional means, such unconstitutional methods are the only way out. His justification seems to be great deal right because none of the political parties follow constitutional methods when it comes to fighting elections and forming govts. Still being a chief minister, an anarchist and chief protester is not a tenable position in any democracy.
On the eve of Republic Day address, the President of India, without naming AAP warned that winning  election does not give one licence  to flirt with illusions. Populist anarchy he said, is no substitute to governance and added that govts are not charity shops and making false promises breed disillusionment which further breed rage targeted at those in power. He exhorted voters to vote with responsibility and elect a govt which can provide stability. He warned that a fractured mandate could be catastrophic. Most of the speech of the widely respected politician President was ‘rap on the knuckles’ of AAP and at the same time a wise counsel for all of us.
The flip side of the controversy is that none of the politician is known to have sacrificed his or her night sleeps for aam admi and none saw Delhi Police as corrupt. Had they followed such activism, deplorable crimes and corruption would have been lesser and Kejriwal unknown. We don’t blame them for ignoring civic activism. Then why discredit AAP for their vigilantism. Right or wrong, more wrong than right, they have spent sleepless nights to fulfil their promises.  They are now facing nightmarish criticism even from middle class  and intellectuals of their own party because they over did it. The entire episode probably was to grab the headlines. Hence self promotion was the motive and what happens to India was none of their concern.
Having formed the govt, there is no going back for Kejriwal from fulfilling his promises in the shortest possible time. Two of his minsters who pressurised the police officers to take action against alleged criminals, have been branded unruly chowkidars, law breakers and criminals. No matter what the compulsion is, a minister cannot behave like a rowdy chowkidar. Law and order is a serious issue in India. Mounting crimes, gang rapes and murders in national capital have shamed the nation. Women security is a cause of concern. The problem appears serious when Delhi govt  has no control over Delhi Police. Still such vigilantism better be avoided because it provokes public to unruly mobocracy creating more law and order problems consequences of which can be as serious as the rise of Naxalism in the national capital. This needs to be curbed by Kejriwal although there is a dilemma before him.  If he has to project himself as an icon of New India, he has to remain in the lime light and has to fulfil his promises. But do we need leaders like him? As of now AAP is basking in its limited success. Kejriwal is young. He has long way to go. In the hindsight, Delhi govt is crowd driven (mobocarcy). To be led by a crowd is certainly not a participative activism. The voice of might may not always be right.  Hope Kejriwal will be able to draw a balance. Even if he is sincere about changing the concept of representative democracy, he can’t pass laws and frame policies in the streets for the world to watch and mock at Indian democracy.
AAP survival depends upon large public support.  Both JP and VP movements spread country wide and attracted prominent opposition parties to make an impact at the national level. The AAP is alone and of course endemic but unlikely to make as much impact as JP and VP movements did country wide. In Delhi it is already in the reverse gear because of Binny and Bharti. It has no institutional party structure such as vice president, general secretary or treasurer to frame and follow AAP agenda. One man show in democracy is likely to flop. If AAP still enters national arena with same structure and agenda, it will certainly be biting more than it can swallow; not a palatable situation for 2014.