Mahatma’s birthday has always been a day of reflection for most of my generation. Bapu was part of the nation in the making narrative, defeat of colonialism, and emergence of an empowered moral and spiritual self. It has been both personal and political.
Starting with school textbooks to university research on his view on technology that shapes polity and society, my relationship with Gandhi continues to evolve.
Today I am drawn to his focus on forgiveness.
Like most of his deliberations on values and moral framework for individuals, society, and nations, this is a recurring theme in his writings and correspondences.
Forgiveness is not just an external action for someone or something that you feel wronged by; it is an internal process of healing and continuing.
He identified it as an attribute of strength and not weakness, as the hyper-competitive and the revenge-stricken world today would have you believe.
It is also linked with starting afresh and moving on, as forgiveness is closure and a moment to free oneself from emotional baggage and setbacks.
Politically and professionally, it would mean a continuum beyond setbacks. Personally, a more evolved self with genuine compassion towards oneself and others.