What’s common between philanthropist Azim Premji, the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Yasser Arafat and Nelson Mandela? It’s Mahatma Gandhi – a man whose virtuous principles of non-violence and truth continue to inspire and motivate people all around the world even today.
Even 150 years after his birth, the world continues to struggle to find peace and harmony. World leaders, in turbulent times, turn to the Mahatma’s teachings to find ways and means to establish, and sustain peace.
Our war-plagued world could take humanity to hell. But, by abstaining from violence, Mahatma Gandhi had unleashed an indomitable moral force which not only helped India to attain independence from British imperialism and colonial oppression, but also inspired millions of people all over the world. The Gandhian method of Ahimsa became the guiding light that influenced several 20th century leaders to drive civil and political rights movements across the world.
As Azim Premji puts it, “From Gandhiji, I learnt that life is a moral journey of living one’s
values everyday. To me, Ahimsa is a call for action. It is the peaceful struggle against all
forms of violence including poverty and injustice. Gandhiji showed us that the right
response to violence is not more violence, but a steadfast commitment to the truth, a
belief in the goodness of others. Only the path of Ahimsa can help us build a society…”