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On Gandhiji

This refers to the editorial "More than a saint" (Oct. 4). Gandhiji is mourned as a saint while his teachings continue to be ignored. He is remembered officially a few times a year. But his principles of satyagraha, ahimsa, and truth are ignored.

Having said this, it is important to acknowledge that satyagraha as a weapon did not win freedom. Gandhiji himself never claimed all credit for India's emancipation.

To respect and relive his philosophy, one need not make him a saint but should emulate his principles.

T. Marx,
Karaikal, Puducherry

For close to a century, Gandhiji has been described as the epitome of sacrifice and more. He has become synonymous with Indian freedom. No nation can win over its enemies with a one-man army. Innumerable martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our freedom remain unrecognised.

I think it is time we gave credit to the unsung heroes of the nation rather than continuing to laud a man who has already been applauded worldwide.

Vidya Panicker,
Cherthala, Kerala

Non-violence did not work even during Gandhiji's lifetime. People of my generation who witnessed the creation of independent India and Pakistan still remember the horrendously violent communal riots associated with it.

We have been brainwashed into believing that India won independence by non-violent non-cooperation under Gandhiji's leadership. Had we really believed in non-violence, there would not have been so many communal riots in the 60 years of post-Independence .

C.V.K. Moorthy,
Bangalore

Gandhiji's weapon of satyagraha is sui generis. But it is not enough to provide lip service to his values. It is we the people who should make his ideals ubiquitous to build an India of his vision.

M. Mrinalini,
Ramagundam, A.P.

Thanks to the film Lage Raho Munnabhai, many young people flocked to the Raj Ghat, Sabarmati Ashram and khadi emporiums on October 2 this year. Die-hard Gandhians are clearly optimistic about the rediscovery of a forgotten hero. One hopes the trend continues and gathers enough momentum to change us from within. That a commercial venture can bring such a profound change in a generation is a pleasant surprise.

Raunaq Rathore,
Noida, U.P.

Do we need to invoke Gandhian ideals to respect fellow human beings in a restaurant? Gandhi was deeply influenced by his mother, Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, and the writings of Henry David Thoreau. From these influences he developed the philosophy of civil disobedience and non-violence. It is important to project the whole truth, and not half-truths that portray a mortal as god.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,
Hyderabad

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