Respectful Salute to The Father of Our Nation - Mahatma Gandhiji on Martyrs' Day/Shaheed Diwas

Mahatma Gandhiji - The Father of Our Nation

                                                 

Sabarmati Ashram

My answer to a question asked on Quora:

Does "what one does" determine "what "one's style" is labeled", which, if the answer is yes, means "one's style" is as ever-changing as "one's doings"? Or does "one's style" determine "what kind of "doings that one will be doing""?

 My wife Priya, an award-winning author says, “If the second option is true, we could consider the example of Mahatma Gandhi, our beloved and world-renowned leader. He had given up wearing western attire and adopted our ‘desi’ that is, local attire (a khadi dhoti or loin cloth) with aplomb, wearing it everywhere without any fuss. That became his trademark style, along with his watch which hung from a chain around his waist; and his extra-long walking stick. His keen and observant eyes always watched from behind round-rimmed spectacles. A concession would be a piece of cloth around his shoulders. His attire screamed local without being vocal!

He wore the same outfit when he met kings and peasants alike. His simplicity exuded from his attire just as his confident and quick gait meant business! Having a watch meant that he valued time and was particular about it. His no-nonsense attire also spelt his no-nonsense approach towards life.

Probably, his way of minimalism gave him more time to concentrate on other important things, not the least being achieving freedom for India. So total focus, punctuality, speed, shunning of materialistic trappings, wearing handspun (His own craftsmanship) khadi signaled his need to stick to his roots and be one among his countrymen. He always said that India is predominantly one that is 80% agrarian. So what better way to project one’s identity than to wear locally produced attire, spectacles, sandals, et al? Thus he was the earliest example of the currently touted “Vocal for local” tagline.

He was fastidious about cleanliness and even took his wife, the venerable Kasturbaji to task for not cleaning the toilet!

Even his diet included local produce and was spartan, just like his abode. We had the opportunity to visit Sabarmati Ashram and were awe-struck by its simplicity.

Thus the Mahatma is a shining example of how true leaders aid people’s perceptions about them and stick to their goals and ideals, come what may! Similarly, speaking your mind and calling a spade, a spade, as he always did, with firmness and compassion, courage and conviction; rallying everyone around him to follow his principles of Satyagraha (urge for truth), Uposhan (fasting) and non-violence; made him a role model for many.

His oratory was unparalleled as was his commitment to his cause.

His is an example of 360 degree communication! Everything he said, did, wrote and wore sent great and unforgettable messages to humanity. ‘No preaching, just doing’ seemed to be his motto. He lived his life and owned it too! No wonder, he was a fashion icon in his own right!”

The copyright of this write-up is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Do follow Ramesh Swaminathan's space on Quora.

Also look up my blog-post on Sabarmati Ashram here:

Satyameva Jayate - Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram Stands Tall and Proud 

(Dated 2nd October, 2023)

Today is Mahatma Gandhiji's Smriti Din. Martyrs' Day/Shaheed Diwas. We pray that we get more genuine leaders like him who will stand the test of time. Carry his invaluable legacy forward....

Our respectful salute to Mahatma Gandhiji!

On our part, we try to emulate his values as much as we can! Imbibe it in our lives!

Not everyone can be a Mahatma, but the least that we could do; is strive to be one!

                                            SATYAMEVA JAYATE!