Lalit Garg
Special on International Non-Violence Day - 2nd October 2020
It is a matter of pride for us that the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, 2 October is now celebrated as non-violence day internationally. Not only Gandhi, the concept of non-violence from Lord Ram, Buddha, Mahavir, Nanak, Dayanand Saraswati and Acharya Tulsi has made India proud.The concept and principle of non-violence is omnipresent in Indian culture. The principle of non-violence reaches family, society and the whole nation. It cannot be limited. All the creatures of the world feel secure and peaceful under the whole concept or feelings of non-violence.
Gandhi gave independence to India on the power of nonviolent revolution that is why not only India, his birth anniversary is being celebrated on a large scale as non-violence day all over the world. This is a great proof of Bapu's international acceptance of non-violence. It is a humble tribute to Gandhiji in the world. It can also be called the acceptance of the whole world towards non-violence. Neighboring countries, Pakistan and China, should understand the relevance and strength of non-violence and stop promoting war, terrorism and violent incidents on the borders. Today science has conquered geographical distance. The whole world has become as small as a ball, but on the other hand, there is an occurrence of mental gap between siblings. Due to this contradiction; family, social, national and international life is getting scattered and misbalanced. If non-violence and equality are not widely respected, then human peace will not be able to find real satisfaction. The Gurus of spirituality have used psychological language to change the mindset of violence and war. They said, to fight is the ultimate religion, but the true warrior is the one who fights not with others but himself, conquering his vices and impulses. The one who assimilates this truth changes all directions in his life. He uses his powers for self-welfare. Violent thinking uses his intelligence and power for destruction. Neighboring countries should think about their own people. Perhaps they never want violence and war.
It is a matter of satisfaction for us that the use of non-violence started from the land of India, the highest institution of the world recognized it as a fundamental formula of life. It is a matter of great pleasure for our countrymen that Gandhi's relevance is increasing miraculously. The world is searching for them anew. To find them means to find solutions to their problems, to find solutions to the growing problem of violence, war and terrorism. Perhaps that is why his ideas are being taught in many universities, research is being done on them. Even today the people of India follow the footsteps of Gandhi and support non-violence. We have been constantly dealing with non-violence with the neighboring country, but they have made the mistake of considering our non-violence as cowardice.
Gandhiji has become the most popular Indian of the world today, someone who is watching with surprise and someone with prodigy. Despite these conditions, their opposition also continues. There have also been constant attempts to prove him to be degenerate, exposing many unknown and dark aspects of his personality, but each time he has grown sharper, his theories have increased even more. By the way, it is a matter of long research that today when the strength of violence and weapons is increasing, the big powers are bent on inciting violence, at that time the power of non-violence is also being accepted. It also seems a little strange that in this storm of capital-centric development, why do we find a person who advocated a self-sufficient economy talking about small capital or small scale production systems?
The question also arises as to what is the belief in the change of heart of man amidst the great tales of the fall of mankind? When arms have become the regulators of the systems then how much effect will the voice of non-violence have? People active in search of an alternative system and life are getting more help from Gandhism. The utility of a non-violent lifestyle has also been exposed in pandemic like Corona.
Today, while the conditions of conflict are prevailing all over the world, everyone is in a position to fight to involve themselves in the race of development, somewhere in the name of community, somewhere in the name of ethnicity, in the name of rights and language. In the name of Gandhi, Satyagraha seems to be the most suitable weapon for the struggling people even in such complex times. Whether environmentalists or people fighting against their displacement, everyone is getting the light from Gandhiji. Because non-violence is the only weapon in which solutions to all kinds of problems are contained.
From the land of India, there has been a constant voice that India has solutions to problems like the newly emerging corona of the world. This is also said to be because India has a rich heritage of great men like Mahavira, Buddha, Gandhi. The corona epidemic is a lesson in changing the lifestyle, being aware of the environment and nature. We have to be conscious of body, mind, soul and nature. Lord Mahavira says how simple but accurate,“happiness is dear to everyone, sorrow is unpleasant. Everyone wants to live, no one wants to die. Treat us the same way we want towards ourselves.” This is humanity and also the basis of humanity. Humanity is in saving, not killing. To kill, bite or torture any human, animal or bird is clearly inhuman, cruel. Violence-murder and blood-mule can never be related to human values. Values are related to simple superior expressions like 'live and let live'.
Non-violence is essential for coexistence. Efforts to preserve the existence of yourself by erasing the existence of others are futile and ultimately fatal. Acharya Shri Umaswati's famous saying - 'Parasapragraho jeevanam' means that all are partners of each other. Life keeps on moving only through mutual favor. Society and socialism also developed on the same concept of non-violence. In this way, non-violence brings lively, energetic and useful human values like cooperation, mutual support, equity and coordination. From the center to the periphery, the encompassing nonviolence brings joy and positivity from the person to the world.
In the world, human values, degradation of human rights or other problems are prevalent and the only reason for all these problems is ‘violence’ there is only one solution to all problems is ‘non-violence’. Non- violence communicates the great feeling of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' in a person. Mankind has endured the horrific effects of war, violence and terrorism, and is always afraid of any kind of danger. There is no better way to save man, humanity and the world than non-violence. From this point of view, Ahimsa Day is a powerful medium to make the whole world aware of the strength and relevance of non-violence.
It is clear that violence shakes the grand palace of humanity from the foundation. When a man kills another, he kills himself, ending his own superiority. Violence triggers an endless vicious cycle of violence. Ahimsa gives abbey to everyone and it is creative and prosperous. Humanity was born from the womb of non-violence. All human values flourish, develop and live in the climate of non-violence. In fact, non-violence is the oxygen of human life. It protects and flourishes the whole nature and environment.
Man has made astonishing progress in knowledge of science. But respect for the lives of others has decreased. There were many revolutions, but revolutionary changes were reduced at the level of ethics. There are a lot of discussions about peace, non-violence and human rights in the world, but lack of proper conduct is incomparable. Gandhiji understood these situations deeply and made non-violence the basic formula of his life. Today, if the world celebrates October 2 as Non-Violence Day, then it is not surprising. It is not respect for Gandhiji but it is the respect for his beautiful concept of non-violence.