Two Myths Today

   By – Pamarty Venkataramana

The first myth is the anointing of a ‘Father of Nation’ that was still-born.

The second myth is that it is #OneNation in absence of an uniform civil code even after seventy plus years.

The other myth of course being that we are a ‘Gandhian Government’.

Falling prey to foreign buccaneers and evil middlemen’s baits to go crazy on wild shopping sprees for weapons and ammunitions in the name of ‘national defence’ is the biggest act of ‘anti-peace’. Most un-Gandhian! Leaking vital information from space research to defence secrets to diet of cabinet ministers stands testimony to this short-sighted chest-beating Gandhian-ism.

When even today over seventy five percent of India’s population lives in the villages and budgetary allocation for agricultural sector is negligible in comparison to defence budget, it is a definite sacrilege on Gandhian philosophy.

Even more so when agricultural income remains outside the ambit of taxation:farmhouses in borders of urban agglomerations owned by successful politicians and business owners appear to be farmlands worthy of tax exemption to Honourable MPs in 2021 as it seemed to then MPs under late Indira Priyadarshini’s rule. Gandhi is a refuge (but which Gandhi, as some would say to themselves)!

‘Public Trusteeship’ concept is the most romantic as well as egalitarian of Gandhian teachings. This is apparently being reversed when the current establishment goes on a disinvestment or a selling spree,handing over almost every key entity to a couple of private corporate groups. Corporate cronyism exposes Public Trusteeship as being an anachronism!

Gandhiji wore a white dhoti and a cotton white cap to symbolise frugality, simplicity and magnanimity of compassion: today,it is all about designer suits and flashing rich couturier labels to remind the world at large that India is a ‘soney ki chidiya’.

The list is endless.

Haters of Gandhiji have their justification. Supporters of Gandhi are conspicuous by their absence and non-adherence to his principles (at least in the public realm).

But, where is the Soul of the departed leader?

One surely can announce that it has not rested in peace yet: currency notes, political party manifestos ,old street corners still boasting of a mini-statue of Gandhiji with his walking-stick are all stark reminders that not long ago,here walked a giant figure who succeeded in become a larger-than-life personality,hailed across the globe as being an eternal apostle of non-violence and peace.

In year 2021 when you go by social media analyses,there are no greater myths than ‘Peace’ and ‘Non-violence’.

To the humble Indian citizen who has no political ambitions nor possesses ability to express anguish at ballooning prices of essential commodities including cooking gas and fuel,’LIFE’ is by itself a myth.

Rest in peace Bapuji.
Modi ji has chiselled a newer version of Gandhian India. Not Italian S.Gandhi’s beta-neta.