Gandhian Artifacts - Mind Over Matter

Last time we had a frenzy surrounding Mahatma Gandhi was when the movie “Lage Raho Munnabhai” released a few years ago. In the movie, Munnabhai, a local hoodlum changes tack from “goondagiri” or “Gandhigiri” to win his personal battles. He resorted to methods of non-violence, peace, and love as he overcame one hurdle after another in his life. The movie made such an impact on the public that we saw similar methods of protest in various parts of the country. “Lage Raho Munnabhai” became a big hit, and “Gandhigiri” became cool.

Now, we have a different kind of frenzy surrounding the Father of the Nation. This time, though, it isn’t anything to do with “Gandhigiri.” A person came across some artifacts belonging to the Mahatma and saw green, without realizing that it might possibly from the olive branch around it. Anyway, this person decided to put them up for auction. That started all the problems. All of a sudden, people remembered the Mahatma as something more than a face that appears in the currency notes or a dusty photo adorning the government offices. Newspapers ran it in the front pages, talk shows found something new to debate on, and it was almost as if the country’s pride was at stake. Everyone who was a someone was talking about how we should try to stop the auction, and if we cannot, then try our level best to bid the highest and acquire all the items that belonged to Gandhiji.

The initial attempt of trying to stop the auction didn’t succeed. The person in possession of the items refused it and told that he wanted the money to carry on with his philanthropic activities. Now, everyone’s trying to see how we could ensure that the country and no one else gets to keep these items. It sure will be a proud moment if India does manage to finally win these items in the auction. It would be yet another example of a triumphant India emerging against all odds over the various billionaires in the world. We could then probably see various articles on how the younger generation is no longer shackled by the colonial hangover and how the country is ready to tackle any challenge, anywhere in the world, against anyone regardless of the race, region, etc., and is still able to come on top. Truly magnificent, I say.

Well, we have ascertained that it would be magnificent, but is it necessary? In these troubled times, with economic doom spread all over the world, I don’t think one can afford pride over necessity. Here is a country, where half the population still struggle to have one proper meal a day, getting ready to spend a few hundred thousands of Rupees so that we could get back a few personal belongings of one person, albeit that person being the Father of the Nation. Will India’s position in the world change one bit by this acquisition? I don’t think so. Will this eradicate poverty in the country? I don’t think so. Will this improve our safety or defense? I don’t think so. Will it improve the power or water situation in the country? I don’t think so. Will it inflate my ego? It might. So, for inflating my ego, I am ready to compromise the entire tax-paying public’s money. Gandhiji is not alive today, but I’m sure he would have preferred that money going to any of these earlier categories than the last one. Would it diminish Gandhiji’s greatness or India’s standing if these items were to actually go to someone else? If so, why? Gandhiji isn’t just India’s property; he is great enough to be the world’s property.

I would be glad if an Indian manages to outbid others in the auction and manages to win Gandhiji’s personal items. That said, I won’t be feeling sad if it were to go to someone else as well. What would make me really happy is if they were to show the proper respect to those items, considering the greatness of the person who donned them. As long as that is done, why should it really matter whether they are in India or outside? I only hope that a decision is taken with the mind in this matter and not with the heart, because at times, mind makes a better decision than the heart.