I am still just about half way through this book... but Mr. M.K.Gandhi has already transformed into a Mahatama for me. Well, he is still not my ideal, as I do not believe in a lot of things that he preached... but yet he has risen to the level of a Mahatama for me.
I was expecting his autobiography to be a drab; but quite surprisingly I am finding it very interesting. Primarily because he has been brutually honest with the book - It reveals a lot of unknown facets of the man India hails as 'Father of the nation'. And reveals the world (not just India) during that century through the eyes of an Indian.
Also, I think he is a good story teller (though I am reading the English version)... He doesn't dwell on a particular topic for too long. It moves quickly from his personal life to social issues and back.
... More about the book (and why I disagree with Gandhiji) later once I finish reading this! For now, I will leave you with the images of Gandhiji's hut and room at the Ashram...
4 comments:
Really disappointed to know you were one of those folks who don't read up, don't get a complete picutre and yet form opinions. When you say you weren't a big fan of Mr. Gandhi .. you do yourself a huge disservice.
If you don't know enough about something, don't simply defer to point of views offered as hearsay. I've known quite a few people who would simply say " i hate gandhi ... he was an idiot ... or he is the cause of all of modern india's troubles" ... all this said based on not a single fact.
This is the kind of ignorance that really really turns me off.
I'm glad you've gone out and done something about your ignorance. It's sure to change your mind about things. But you must look at it from a different perspective ....
in the last 500 years ... the struggle for independence has been the shining moment of India's history. It was achieved with unbelievable success, against unbelievable odds and with an unprecedented philosophy.
How can it's unquestionable leader and ARCHITECT deserve anything but utmost respect and consideration.
I would need to be standing on a pile of achievements as high as Mount Everest before i would consider myself worthy of commenting on the good and bad of the Mahatma. Before such time, i find myself in NO position to question any of his actions or their consequences.
Oh wait wait pls... I was never one of those who 'hated Gandhi' or considered him a 'bad soul' or anything of that sorts..... For me, he was one of THE 'names' associated with our Freedom movement...
Its like if one always heards good things about Mr. ABC, so starts havign the same view; but till you fully understand Mr. ABC's thoughts, you always hold onto a 'borrowed' opinion till one day you find your own opinion.
When I said I was not a big fan, I meant my view about Gandhi was also a 'borrowed' one from our history books, nothing beyond.
I didn't really 'feel' for his philosphy etc... so the 'normal' respect was always there but nothing beyond that.... Now of course, the view has changed - his persona now 'inspires' me.
PS: I hardly have 'opinions' about people anyways, I normally just have 'views' about their actions etc; there is a slight difference you see....
All,
I guess there was a problem in the first sentence of the blog i.e. probably I didnt realise that there can be another very different meaning.... So, I have added the following sentence for clarification purposes... "(Not that I did'nt respect him, just that it was a 'borrowed' sense of respect i.e. not coming from within)"
That says something about my writing skills though! :(
well .. that's why you have readers. It's nigh impossible to write something with a thought and know all the other ways people would interpret stuff ..... glad to know your perspective though ...
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