காந்திஜியின் சிந்தனைகள்.

காந்திஜியின் சிந்தனைகள்.

ஸ்ரீராமநவமி, ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ண ஜயந்தி இவற்றிற்குப் பிறகு ஒருவருடைய பிறந்த நாளை பாரதத் திருநாட்டில் சிறப்பாக எல்லோரும் கொண்டாடுகிறோம் என்றால் அது மகாத்மா காந்திஜியின் பிறந்த நாளான அக்டோபர் 2. இன்னும் ஒரு வார காலத்தில் அவருடைய ஜயந்தி வருகிறது. இன்று முதல் நாள்தோறும் காந்தி ஜயந்தி வரை ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் ஒரு தலைப்பில் அவருடைய பொன் மொழிகள் இடம்பெறும். அவர் பேசிய அல்லது எழுதிய அதே ஆங்கிலத்தில் அப்படியே படியுங்கள். பாபுஜியின் கருத்துக்களுக்கு உங்களுடைய அபிப்பிராயங்களையும் தெரிவியுங்கள். நன்றி.

1. INDIA - A TEACHER

A Nation with a constitution like this is fitter to teach others than to learn from others. This Nation had Courts, Lawyers and Doctors, but they were all within bounds. Everybody knew that these professions were not particularly superior; moreover, the Vakils and Vaids did not rob people; they were considered Peoples' dependants, not their masters. Justice was tolerably fair. The ordinary rule was to avoid courts. There were no touts to lure people into them. This evil, too was noticeable only in and around capitals. The common people lived independently and followed their agricultural occupation. They enjoyed true Home Rule. The Indian civilization, as described by me, has been so described by its votaries. In no part of the world, and under no civilization, have all men attained perfection. The tendency of the Indian Civilisation is to elevate the moral being, that of the Western civilization is to propagate immorality. The latter is godless, the former is based on a belief in GOD. So understanding and so believing, it behoves every lover of India to cling to the old Indian Civilisation even as a child clings to the mother's breast.
“Indian Home Rule” by Mahatma

2. TO THE WOMEN

Woman has been suppressed under custom and law, for which man was responsible and in the shaping of which she had no hand. In a plan of life based on non-violence, woman has as much right to shape her own destiny as man has to shape his. But as every right in a non-violent society proceeds from the previous performance of a duty, it follows that rules of social conduct must be framed by mutual co-operation and consultation. They can never be imposed from outside. Men have not realized this truth in its fullness in their behavior towards women. They have considered themselves to be lords and masters of women instead of considering them as their friends and co-workers. It is the privilege of men to give the women of India a lifting hand. Women are in the position somewhat of the slave of old and who did not know that he could or ever had to be free. And when freedom came, for the moment he felt helpless. Women have been taught to regard themselves as slaves of men. It is up to men to see that they enable them to realize their full status and play their part as equals of men.

Wives should not be Dolls.

This revolution is easy, if the mind is made up. Let us begin with our own homes. Wives should not be dolls and objects of indulgence, but should be treated as honoured comrades in common service. To this end, those who have not received a liberal education should receive such instruction as is possible from their husbands. The same observation applies, with the necessary changes, to mothers and daughters.
It is hardly necessary to point out that I have given a one-sided picture of the helpless state of India's women. I am quite conscious of the fact that in the villages generally they hold their own with their menfolk and, in some respects, even rule them. But, to the impartial outsider, the legal and customary status of woman is bad enough throughout and demands radical alteration.
“The Constructive Programme (1945)