"Nationalism?", questioned Gandhi. "Do you mean to question the struggle, that are based on principles of human-freedom and man's basic rights and paint it with Nationalism?"
"If not nationalism, why are you silent on all the chaos?" enquired the reporter.
"I belong to this country, but that does not mean that I would accept oppression at the hands of my native ruler - be it Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Atheist. If it were to happen, I would struggle with same strength and intentions as I was against the English. Remember, questioning the rule does not necessarily mean being anti-national."
"So what would be your comments on the likes of 'Arundhati Roy', 'Noam Chomsky', and 'Rachel Corrie'?", came the question out of blue.
Gandhi was silent for a moment, he gazed into the saffron flames that were making a crakling noise the flames were as if dancing in a ritual ceremony around the dead wood and the wooden-stove was busy in the process of reducing the wood into ashes.Gandhi slowly proceeded to answer the last question.
"If not nationalism, why are you silent on all the chaos?" enquired the reporter.
"I belong to this country, but that does not mean that I would accept oppression at the hands of my native ruler - be it Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Atheist. If it were to happen, I would struggle with same strength and intentions as I was against the English. Remember, questioning the rule does not necessarily mean being anti-national."
"So what would be your comments on the likes of 'Arundhati Roy', 'Noam Chomsky', and 'Rachel Corrie'?", came the question out of blue.
Gandhi was silent for a moment, he gazed into the saffron flames that were making a crakling noise the flames were as if dancing in a ritual ceremony around the dead wood and the wooden-stove was busy in the process of reducing the wood into ashes.Gandhi slowly proceeded to answer the last question.
" Although there are various things that I do not agree or approve of their methods, but I do understand that they are trying to be the change that they want to see in the world.
To be honest, who does not want to see a happy and peaceful valley of Kashmir?, but the question that needs to be answered is 'What is Kashmir?', Is it just a piece of land or Is it the living spirit of : a child, a tree, a breeze, a snow-flake, that adds value and meaning to that piece of land. What is the meaning of the word 'Kashmir' without considering its people - It is people that make Kashmir and not the other way round."
As Gandhi was in the end of this conversation, there came a shout, "Bapu, Bapu ... Nandhini has given birth". Gandhi got up with the most beautiful smile a toothless face could sport, and said, "Excuse me Mr.Karan Thapar, It was nice speaking to you, let's end it here. I am in need of someone for help, the cow in our farm has given birth."
- A good person will resist an evil system with his whole soul. Disobedience of the laws of an evil state is therefore a duty. ~ Gandhi
P.S:
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It has been almost a century since India, Pakistan and China have been locked into conflict for the land of Kashmir, but the essential thing that all these three countries failed to understand is that 'The land of Kashmir', with its riches and beauty is not the real prize - instead it is the living souls and hearts that make Kashmir.
2 comments:
You are so right in many ways, according to my perspective. Can be real, have to blend or at least pretend. Doing as gandhi making peace with yourself and others. I have been looking around for interesting people. Glad I came across your blog. I love to see
the world through the eyes of other people. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Ms.Code and Its my pleasure to be considered as an "interesting" individual. :)
Thanks again for the appreciation, it was such an encouraging comment.
:)
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