IndiaPost.com - Gandhigiri goes global

India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Not dadagiri, but Gandhigiri. Apparently inspired by the hit Bollywood movie Lage Raho Munnabhai Indians are rooting for Gandhi’s philosophies of truth and non-violence. Gandhian ideals, although masala maar ke, are in vogue these days. The virtues that the father of the nation imparted, are considered kewl...People have actually started reacting to situations in the Gandhigiri style. You are in a theatre watching a movie, or trying to watch it, rather. For, the person sitting next to you is having a loud conversation with someone or on his cell phone.

Its ringer is on too, and you are about to just grab the damned phone from his hands and smash it... "There is nothing hypothetical about this situation. I have suffered it many times", said Harish Dinkar, a theatre actor. "In the middle of a play, when I am acting out the most difficult scene on stage, some phone would ring loudly, and then a ‘hello’ would resound in the hall. Nothing irritates me more! The next time this happens, I think I will stand up, pull out a piece of paper from my pocket and in a loud voice, read out mobile etiquettes.

And then, I shall look around me, and ask in an even louder voice, ‘don’t you all agree?’ I am sure the rest of the audience would agree, and then I’d politely embarrass the guy to hell by saying, ‘So, please don’t do it again’." You’re back after a backbreaking day at work. And nothing’s going to help but some good, relaxed sleep.

As soon as you hit the bed there is this loud music shattering the peace of your bedroom. You’re ready to scream murder and even pick up the phone to call the cops and complain. But then, a voice requests you to stay calm... "A lot of people are often faced with such situations. Being a part of the print media, I’ve the luxury of taking them to ‘task’ in write up.

But, having resolved to follow Gandhian values, if faced with a situation of my neighbour playing loud music, I’d first call him up and respectfully request him to lower the volume saying he’s disturbing me, and how the neighbours must think of each other. If he doesn’t listen, I’d go over to his house and check out whether he’s having a rocking party.

If he is, I’d insist he invite me over for a drink. If that too doesn’t work, I’d go back and on my own wonderful music system, play some real loud music — the choicest of bad music that I have", said Ashwamegh Banerjee, a media student from Delhi. Gandhigiri is not only getting stronger in India but it is also spreading its roots in other countries. Gandhigiri is visible on Pakistan’s streets. In a protest to show solidarity for the deposed judges and opposing the politician who had backed emergency in Pakistan, protesters waved roses and sang patriotic songs. A large number of students had rolled out to the streets to show their solidarity for the judges.

The students had sent bouquets to Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chowdhury as they were not allowed to visit him. Gandhi’s re-invented doctrine could clearly be seen in the protest and marches carried by the young citizens of Pakistan who had seen enough of violence and wanted to change things for their country. If Gandhigiri spreads at this pace we’ll be soon living in a world which has no place for society curbs like corruption, bribery, riots and truth, love and compassion will prevail.