Summary of "And Then Gandhi Came"
After World War I ended, India faced a dark period. Instead of peace and progress, the country got repressive laws and martial law in Punjab. People felt humiliated, angry, and helpless. Fear dominated every aspect of Indian life - fear of the police, army, officials, landlords, unemployment, and starvation. India had become like a derelict nation with no hope.
Then Gandhi arrived and everything changed. Nehru describes Gandhi's arrival using three beautiful comparisons - like fresh air that made people breathe freely, like a beam of light that removed darkness, and like a whirlwind that changed people's thinking. Gandhi emerged from among the common people and spoke their language.
Gandhi's main teaching had three pillars: fearlessness (abhaya), truth, and action for the welfare of the masses. He told people to stop exploiting peasants and workers and to get rid of the system creating poverty. His message was simple but powerful: "Be not afraid."
Gandhi brought about a psychological revolution. He lifted the black pall of fear from people's shoulders. When fear decreased, truthfulness increased. People felt shame at their long submission to foreign rule and decided to submit no longer.
Gandhi had a two-fold call to action. First, resist British rule peacefully. Second, fight social evils like untouchability and inequality. He attacked the foundations of British rule by asking people to give up titles, reject British pomp and splendour, and adopt simpler ways of living.
Gandhi sent his followers to villages. This made peasants emerge from their shells and made leaders understand the real poverty in India. Gandhi dreamed of an India where the poorest would feel it was their country, where there would be no high or low classes, where all communities would live in harmony, where untouchability would end, and where women would have equal rights.
Gandhi believed Indian culture was a fusion of all cultures - Hindu, Islamic, and others. He wanted to welcome ideas from all lands but remain rooted in Indian values. This vital and confident man fascinated millions and linked India's past with its future of hope.
"And Then Gandhi Came" സംഗ്രഹം
ഒന്നാം ലോകമഹായുദ്ധം അവസാനിച്ചതിനു ശേഷം ഇന്ത്യ ഇരുണ്ട കാലഘട്ടം നേരിട്ടു. സമാധാനത്തിനും പുരോഗതിക്കും പകരം രാജ്യത്തിന് ലഭിച്ചത് അടിച്ചമർത്തൽ നിയമങ്ങളും പഞ്ചാബിലെ സൈനിക ഭരണവുമായിരുന്നു. ജനങ്ങൾക്ക് അപമാനവും കോപവും നിസ്സഹായതയും തോന്നി. ഭയം ഇന്ത്യൻ ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ മേഖലകളെയും ആധിപത്യം സ്ഥാപിച്ചു - പോലീസ്, സൈന്യം, ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥർ, ഭൂവുടമകൾ, തൊഴിലില്ലായ്മ, പട്ടിണി എന്നിവയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ഭയം. പ്രതീക്ഷയില്ലാത്ത ഉപേക്ഷിക്കപ്പെട്ട രാഷ്ട്രമായി ഇന്ത്യ മാറിയിരുന്നു.
അപ്പോഴാണ് ഗാന്ധിജി വന്നത്, എല്ലാം മാറി. നെഹ്റു ഗാന്ധിജിയുടെ വരവിനെ മൂന്ന് സുന്ദര ഉപമകളിലൂടെ വിവരിക്കുന്നു - ആളുകളെ സ്വതന്ത്രമായി ശ്വസിക്കാൻ പ്രാപ്തരാക്കിയ ശുദ്ധവായു പോലെ, ഇരുട്ട് നീക്കം ചെയ്ത പ്രകാശകിരണം പോലെ, ആളുകളുടെ ചിന്തകളെ മാറ്റിയ ചുഴലിക്കാറ്റ് പോലെ. ഗാന്ധിജി സാധാരണ ജനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന് ഉയർന്നുവന്ന് അവരുടെ ഭാഷ സംസാരിച്ചു.
ഗാന്ധിജിയുടെ പ്രധാന പഠിപ്പിക്കലിന് മൂന്ന് സ്തംഭങ്ങളുണ്ടായിരുന്നു: നിർഭയത്വം (അഭയ), സത്യം, ജനകീയ ക്ഷേമത്തിനുവേണ്ടിയുള്ള പ്രവർത്തനം. കർഷകരെയും തൊഴിലാളികളെയും ചൂഷണം ചെയ്യുന്നത് നിർത്താനും ദാരിദ്ര്യം സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്ന വ്യവസ്ഥിതിയെ ഇല്ലാതാക്കാനും അദ്ദേഹം ആളുകളോട് പറഞ്ഞു. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ സന്ദേശം ലളിതവും ശക്തവുമായിരുന്നു: "ഭയപ്പെടരുത്."
ഗാന്ധിജി ഒരു മാനസിക വിപ്ലവം കൊണ്ടുവന്നു. അദ്ദേഹം ജനങ്ങളുടെ തോളിൽ നിന്ന് ഭയത്തിന്റെ കറുത്ത മൂടുപടം നീക്കി. ഭയം കുറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ സത്യസന്ധത വർദ്ധിച്ചു. വിദേശ ഭരണത്തോടുള്ള ദീർഘകാല കീഴടങ്ങലിൽ ലജ്ജ തോന്നിയ ജനങ്ങൾ ഇനി കീഴടങ്ങില്ലെന്ന് തീരുമാനിച്ചു.
ഗാന്ധിജിക്ക് ഇരട്ട പ്രവർത്തന ആഹ്വാനമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഒന്ന്, സമാധാനപരമായി ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ഭരണത്തെ എതിർക്കുക. രണ്ട്, അസ്പൃശ്യത, അസമത്വം തുടങ്ങിയ സാമൂഹിക തിന്മകളോട് പോരാടുക. സ്ഥാനപ്പേരുകൾ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കാനും ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ആഡംബരം നിരസിക്കാനും ലളിതമായ ജീവിതരീതി സ്വീകരിക്കാനും അദ്ദേഹം ആളുകളോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടുകൊണ്ട് ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ഭരണത്തിന്റെ അടിത്തറയെ ആക്രമിച്ചു.
ഗാന്ധിജി തന്റെ അനുയായികളെ ഗ്രാമങ്ങളിലേക്ക് അയച്ചു. ഇത് കർഷകരെ അവരുടെ പുറ്റിൽനിന്ന് പുറത്തേക്ക് വരാൻ പ്രേരിപ്പിക്കുകയും നേതാക്കന്മാരെ ഇന്ത്യയിലെ യഥാർത്ഥ ദാരിദ്ര്യം മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ സഹായിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു. ദരിദ്രർക്ക് ഇത് അവരുടെ രാജ്യമാണെന്ന് തോന്നുന്ന, ഉയർന്നതോ താഴ്ന്നതോ ആയ വർഗ്ഗങ്ങളില്ലാത്ത, എല്ലാ സമുദായങ്ങളും യോജിപ്പോടെ ജീവിക്കുന്ന, അസ്പൃശ്യത അവസാനിക്കുന്ന, സ്ത്രീകൾക്ക് തുല്യാവകാശമുള്ള ഇന്ത്യയെക്കുറിച്ച് ഗാന്ധിജി സ്വപ്നം കണ്ടു.
ഇന്ത്യൻ സംസ്കാരം എല്ലാ സംസ്കാരങ്ങളുടെയും - ഹിന്ദു, ഇസ്ലാമിക്, മറ്റുള്ളവയുടെയും - സംയോജനമാണെന്ന് ഗാന്ധിജി വിശ്വസിച്ചു. എല്ലാ രാജ്യങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നുമുള്ള ആശയങ്ങളെ സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്യാനും എന്നാൽ ഇന്ത്യൻ മൂല്യങ്ങളിൽ വേരൂന്നിനിൽക്കാനും അദ്ദേഹം ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു. ഈ ചൈതന്യവും ആത്മവിശ്വാസവുമുള്ള മനുഷ്യൻ ദശലക്ഷക്കണക്കിന് ആളുകളെ ആകർഷിക്കുകയും ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഭൂതകാലത്തെ പ്രതീക്ഷയുടെ ഭാവിയുമായി ബന്ധിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.
About the Author
Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first Prime Minister who served from 1947 to 1964. Born on November 14, 1889, he died on May 27, 1964. He was a great leader who promoted democracy, socialism, secularism, and unity in India. Nehru was also a prolific writer in English and wrote several important books including "The Discovery of India," "Glimpses of World History," and "An Autobiography." In 1955, he was honored with the Bharat Ratna, which is India's highest civilian award. He adapted modern values to suit Indian conditions and played a crucial role in shaping independent India.
Questions and Answers
What is referred to as the 'all powerful monster'?
The 'all powerful monster' refers to British rule in India. Just like a monster is scary and powerful, British rule had paralyzed India's limbs and deadened the minds of its people. The people felt helpless in its grip and couldn't free themselves from its control.
What was the impact of the First World War?
Instead of bringing relief and progress after the war ended, India faced repressive legislation and martial law in Punjab. This created a bitter sense of humiliation and passionate anger among the people. The war increased poverty, unemployment grew rapidly, and people lost all hope for the future.
What does Nehru mean by 'And then Gandhi came'?
Nehru means that Gandhi's arrival was a turning point for India. When the country was in complete darkness and despair, Gandhi came like a ray of hope. His arrival brought fresh energy, new thinking, and courage to fight against injustice. It marked the beginning of a new era in India's freedom struggle.
What did Gandhiji exhort the people to do?
Gandhi exhorted people to stop exploiting peasants and workers. He asked them to get rid of the system that produced poverty and misery. He urged people to be fearless and truthful. He also called for two types of action - resisting foreign rule peacefully and fighting against social evils like untouchability.
What did Gandhiji do to remove fear from the minds of the people?
Gandhi raised his quiet and determined voice against fear saying "Be not afraid." He made people realize that fear creates phantoms that are more frightening than reality itself. When reality is calmly analyzed and its consequences willingly accepted, it loses much of its terror. Through his own example of fearlessness, he showed people that they didn't need to be afraid of British rule.
What was the essence of Gandhiji's teaching?
The essence of Gandhi's teaching had three main elements: Fearlessness (abhaya) which means complete absence of fear from the mind, not just bodily courage. Truth in all thoughts and actions. Action that was always aimed at the welfare of the masses. These three principles formed the foundation of his entire philosophy.
Why was Gandhiji compared to a psychologist?
Gandhi was compared to a psychologist because he brought about a psychological change in people, just like a psycho-analyst does with patients. He probed deep into the people's past, found out the origins of their fears and complexes, exposed them, and thus freed them from that burden. He healed the mental wounds of the nation.
What does the word 'abhaya' mean?
'Abhaya' means fearlessness. According to ancient Indian texts, it is the greatest gift for an individual or a nation. It doesn't just mean bodily courage but the complete absence of fear from the mind. It means mental freedom from all kinds of fears.
How did Gandhiji influence the people of India?
Gandhi influenced millions of Indians in different ways. Some people completely changed their lives after meeting him. Others were only partly affected. Some people's initial enthusiasm wore off over time, but even they couldn't completely shake off his influence. Different people reacted differently to his message, but everyone was touched by him in some way. His influence was so deep that it changed the entire nation's psychology.
What was the two-fold action involved in Gandhiji's exhortation?
The two-fold action was: First, challenging and resisting foreign British rule through peaceful means. Second, fighting against India's own social evils like untouchability, caste discrimination, and the oppression of depressed classes. Gandhi believed freedom wasn't just political but also social.
What was the visible change in the value system of the country?
Many visible changes occurred in India's value system. People stopped respecting British-given titles and honors. The pomp and splendor of the Viceroy's court and princes suddenly appeared ridiculous. Rich people stopped flaunting their wealth and adopted simpler lifestyles. In their dress, they became almost indistinguishable from common people. New standards based on truth, simplicity, and dignity replaced old values based on British approval and material display.
What, according to Gandhiji, was truth?
According to Gandhi, truth is what an individual himself feels and knows to be true. Different people may have different views of truth based on their background, training, and impulses. Absolute truth may be beyond us, but individual truth is what each person genuinely believes and knows in their heart. Gandhi held to truth more firmly than anyone else, even though this was a dangerous quality for a politician.
What was the India of Gandhiji's dream?
Gandhi dreamed of an India where the poorest people would feel it was their country and they had an effective voice in making it. There would be no division between high and low classes. All communities would live in perfect harmony. There would be no untouchability or addiction to intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women would enjoy the same rights as men. It would be a country based on equality, freedom, and dignity for everyone.
What was the influence of Gandhiji in the villages?
Gandhi sent his followers to villages, and the countryside became active with messengers of his new philosophy. Peasants were shaken out of their passive state and began emerging from their shells. The urban leaders who went to villages saw for the first time the real poverty of India - the mud huts and the constant shadow of hunger. They learned more about Indian economics from these village visits than from books. This experience changed them forever, and they could never return to their old comfortable lives.
What, according to Gandhiji, was the essential culture of India?
Gandhi believed that Indian culture was neither purely Hindu, Islamic, nor any other single tradition. It was a fusion of all cultures. He wanted the cultures of all lands to blow freely around his house, but he refused to be blown off his feet by any of them. He didn't want to live in other people's houses as an interloper, beggar, or slave. While being influenced by modern thought, he remained firmly rooted in Indian traditions.
What was the psychological revolution that Gandhiji brought about?
Gandhi effected a vast psychological revolution among his followers, opponents, and even neutral people. The black pall of fear was lifted from people's shoulders. As fear decreased, truthfulness increased. People felt shame at their long submission to foreign rule and decided not to submit anymore. They gained new confidence and courage. This mental transformation affected not just individuals but the entire nation, changing how people thought about themselves and their country.