Gandhi Jayanti..

Its Mahatama Gandhi's Birthday.. What it means to most of us is just another national holiday.. But seems the entire world is obsessed with Gandhi.. The Father of the NATION is the most charismatic man in history it seems.. The entire newspaper is filled with articles about the man or at least carries a picture of the khadi clad man on every page.. The teachings, I didn't use the word preachings because he practiced what he preached, so teachings seems more appropriate.. He has suddenly becoming an icon again..

Youngsters love to flaunt him on their T-shirts.. The children have been dressing up like him since ages for the fancy dress competitions and the old always liked him.. I don't know what to say about him but he was definitely a great force to reckon with in the pre-independence India.. I think I can call him a great leader because he could channelise the masses for a common cause.. Of course the sacrifices and contributions of all the revolutionaries is sometimes righty weighed over Gandhi's effort but he was successful in making the masses a part of his struggle.. As we enjoy this democracy, we should never forget these men who contributed in thier own ways to ensure we live the way we live now..

We can watch any of the various Gandhi inspired movies on television today.. Some on his life, some on the movements he started and some on his teachings.. So while we laugh at the most silly teaching that says, 'Present your other cheek when someone slaps you'.. We can surely look up to him for being successful in binding the people of different faiths and cultures for a common cause that makes us feel secure today..

[Photos courtesy - gandhifoundation.org and t-shirts.cafepress]