2. The Gandhi I Know

Countrywide Gandhi was called Bapu . Yet I feel that he was more a 'mother' than a 'father'. Whenever he is remembered, his affection for all comes to the fore, rather than his other virtues. We witness an affectionate motherly nobleman within Bapu, which is the outcome of age-old traditions and the seedling of new ones. I have observed Bapu practicing 'Karmayoga' from Gita. So indifferent a human being, can rarely be found. But I have seen the embodiment of such saintly virtues in this great man. I had the privilege of staying with him. Every person who could live in his company has experienced that his vices have vanished; the pettiness has been replaced by open-heartedness. He helped a lot of people gain self-importance.

People dislike some of Gandhi's thoughts. Some of them would say, "You would better go to the Himalaya." Smiling, Bapu would reply, "If you would go to Himalaya I would definitely follow you. But if you stay here, then this humble man would stay here to serve you. The servant follows the master!" Continuing he would say, "Whenever poverty and exploitation are to be eliminated and help to be offered, there exists my Himalaya."

Presently, there seems to be no institution or a person who can morally command the countrymen to follow him. Leaders from different parties disgrace each other. This does not generate creativity among public. A kind of passivity, emptiness and disorientation has encompassed the country. The people are confused and unable to find a way out.