Challenges of 21st Century: Gandhian Alternatives

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This book is an outcome of the collective endeavour of the scholars of Gandhian thought and action who have examined the challenges of 21st Century from different angles and provided the Gandhian alternative by re-interpreting Gandhism. Rediscovering Gandhi becomes global necessity for peace, prosperity, freedom, harmony and survival of the whole human race.

Both capitalism and socialism miserably failed. The whole world is in search of alternatives. Gandhism provides an answer to the problems arising out of alternative in high tech.-world. Gandhism is new hope, new force and above all a new challenge in the contemporary world.

The present volume contains thought provoking research papers on Gandhian alternatives. Efforts have been made to make it comprehensive and reader oriented. The book will be useful to Researchers, Futuristic Studies, students of Gandhian Thought/Peace Studies/Human Rights, Policy Makers and Activists.

DR. ANIL DUTTA MISHRA (b. 1965) did his M.A. and M.Phil. in Political Science from University of Delhi and Ph.D from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Started his career as Assistant Professor in the Department of Non- violence and Peace Studies, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute (Deemed University). Ladnun, Rajasthan. Dr. Mishra's areas of specialization include Indian Government and Politics, Grass-root Politics, Women's Studies, Ecology and Human Rights.

A rare combination of intellectualism and activism, he has distinguished himself as a young Gandhian scholar. He has been connected with a number of national and international organisations in various capacities like-Associate Secretary of Indian Society of Gandhian Studies, Secretary of Alliance for Sarvodaya and Secretary General of Delhi School of Non-violence.

A widely travelled man, he has authored/edited 10 books and published a number of research papers in leading professional journals. His earlier books Problems and Prospects of Working Women in Urban India (1994); Fundamentals of Gandhism (1995); Gandhian Approach to Contemporary Problems (1996): Decentralised Planning in India: A Study of Objectives and Operational Framework (1998): Gandhism after Gandhi (1999); Gender Perspective: Participation, Empo- werment and Development (1999); Perspectives on Human Rights (2002). Panchayati Raj-Gandhian Perspective (2002) and Rediscovering Gandhi (2002) were well received and widely acclaimed. Presently he is working on Gandhian experiments in India. He is currently Assistant Director of National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi.

We have entered in the new millennium with great hope and celebrations. But man finds himself under severe strain and feels compelled to sit up and reassess his environment, nature, culture and future. Humanity is truly at the crossroads. Even the most powerful nations on the earth are living under constant shadow of terrorism. Both capitalism and socialism miserably failed in solving the problems of the masses, down-troden and deprived section of the society. The whole word is in search of an alternative. Gandhism provides an answer. Gandhism is new hope, new force and above all a new challenge in the modern world. Infact, Gandhism becomes global necessity for peace, prosperity, freedom, harmony and survival of the whole human race. Mahatma's ideas about the dangers of western civilization and materialistic culture have assumed significance in the context evolution of a just and viable world order. Gandhi saw clearly the moral degradation and cultural decay long back. The Hind Swaraj of Mahatma Gandhi published in 1908, long before the negative consequences of industrial civilization were exposed to the common experience, must have appeared to the generation of his times, a book of reaction and retreat from modernity and civilization. The fact is that long before the people in the new millennium will be awakened to the peril and limits of unrestrained economic growth and technological innovations, Gandhiji pointed out the pitfalls of industrialism and the damage to nature and man, and he strongly criticised the emerging trends of consumer culture in future in all spheres of life and emphasized austerity and the moral principle in development, which is essential for new millennium.

**Contents and Sample Pages**