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dated October 6, 1954: Gandhiji's philosophy

The concept that the human soul was something beyond purchase and beyond value and, therefore, worthy of preservation was at the root of Gandhiji's philosophy, said Sardar K.M. Panikkar, speaking on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Mylapore Academy and the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, organised on October 5 by the Academy at the P.S. High School in Madras. Mr. Sri Prakasa, Governor of Madras, presided. Sardar Panikkar referred to the work of the Academy in the field of social service and, in particular, to the services rendered by its members during festivals and said these fairs and festivals were part of India's life. He could not conceive of a life in India which was based merely on intellectualism, devoid of all festivals and without crowds, temples, processions and so on. It was only in relation to that life, that they could exist individually. Despite the fact that Gandhiji lived amongst them and worked for them and created that spirit in them which led them to Independence, he was a universal figure who worked for humanity and understood the needs of humanity. The world had seen many other great men, but they worked within their geographical or communal limits. It was the universality of Gandhiji's message that gave him a unique position. Gandhiji had nothing to offer to his followers except jail life; yet he commanded the allegiance of millions of people. Therefore, there must have been something in him, which held people to him and which made it possible for him to lead a party through many decades of suffering. This, Mr. Panikkar thought, was the single principle to which he attached the greatest importance, namely, the worth of the individual.

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