Tribute to a Mahatma
Today is the birth anniversary of a man that goes by the title of "Mahatma" (Great Soul) in my country.
I have no secret methods. I know no diplomacy save that of truth. I have no weapon but non-violence. I may be unconsciously led astray for a while, but not for all time.
Mahatma Gandhi was not a strong man, but a powerful one. His was not a loud voice, but one that could be heard miles and miles away. He did not have an army at his disposal, but wielded the power of "non violence". If there were 10 people who could be given credit for the ousting of the British from colonial India, he would be on that list. If there was only one member on that list, it would still be him.
As for my leadership, if I have it, it has not come for any seeking, it is a fruit of faithful service. A man can as little discard such leadership as he can the color of his skin. And since I have become an integral part of the nation, it has to keep me with all my faults and shortcomings, of some of which I am painfully conscious and of many others of which candid critics, thanks be to them, never fail to remind me.
I do not claim to know the man in depth, and there are many who would disagree with his ‘greatness’. But, as little as I know of him, I am amazed that there can be any one who can even dream of the ideals he created for himself, and possess the courage to live by them.
I shall lose my usefulness the moment I stifle the still small voice within.
On a personal note, I thought I should take this opportunity to pay my gratitude to the man who was responsible for my being born in a free India.
Let me conclude with one of my favourite quotes of the Mahatma :
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony." — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
i’d be interested in a recommendation of an English language biography — i have a bit of appreciation of Indian history (chiefly colonial times) and would enjoy a biography that looks at Mahatma Gandhi’s life from a moral and philosophical as well as historic, perspective.
* Editor’s Reply *I would recommend his autobiography : The Story of My Experiments with TruthYou can also find other books on the subject of Gandhi and his influence, but I have not read enough to recommend for/against any of them.
Mahatma was a guru… the dispeller of darkness. Below are some quotes of Mahatma on customer service…”A customer is the most important visitor on our premises.””He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him.””He is not an interruption in our work – he is the purpose of it.” “We are not doing him a favour by serving him.””He is doing us a favour by giving us he opportunity to serve him.”