Gandhiji's Padayatra and Gandhian Constructive Works in Orissa (1934-39)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

In Gandhiji's Padayatra and Gandhian Constructive Works in Orissa (1934-39). Acclaimed historian Soma Chand recollects the unique foot- march (Padayatra) of Gandhiji in Orissa and contextualizes the state-wide constructive works that followed the Master for the contemporary readers. Her distinctive approach, analysis and narrative make the account eminently accessible along with her grassroot illustrations in a lucid style.

In a world that seems contaminated with materialistic outrage, ambitious fulfilment and ego-centric outburst, the writer highlights how Gandhian balm of socialistic approach through constructive programme would act to promote social harmony and not to bring abrupt changes with violent consequences. Thus, it would be an admixture of continuity and innovation. In the sesquicentennial celebration of Gandhiji's Birth Centenary, the humankind must realize it with its intrinsic values.

A noted academician, erudite scholar Dr. Soma Chand has a flair for writing since long. She has authored 30 books on different aspects of Social Science and Literature. She has to her credit around 50 research publications and more than 500 articles in newspapers, periodicals and magazines. This book is a valued addition to the list of publications already available on Gandhiji and gets a useful tool for the appreciation of researchers and concerned stakeholders.

At present, she is the Head of the P.G. Dept. of History, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar.

Plato once told,

There always are in the world a few inspired men whose acquaintance is beyond price.

With the persisting threat of nuclear holocaust, growing terrorism, environmental degradation, problems of racism, exploitation, the issues of peace and sustainable development have assured paramount importance in the globalised world of 21st century. Under this backdrop, the need of the hour is to search for an alternative model of development. In this context automatically the Gandhian model seems to of greater relevant to the purpose and appropriate to the point.

The basic concept of Gandhian thought lies in non- violent social change. In 1996, Gandhi Peace Prize Winner Ahangmage Turo Ariyaratne from Srilanka commented in the following manner, People would eventually realise with Gandhi that they need to fight not only with material poverty, but also with spiritual poverty.

The name "Gandhiji" is almost synonymous with our national being. He is unique for his innovative approach in politics which he conceived as 'Freedom in its totality'. His new method and human technique for the struggle for liberation of a country was carried out with a kind of religious energy and devotion unheard of earlier. His concept of ahimsa, Satyagraha, discipline, equality and truthfulness in the political field with a socialistic approach has made him more a social scientist than a mere political statesman.

When Gandhiji appeared on the Indian stage, Indian National Movement had already secured a foothold among the educated and professional classes in the country.1 In the early years of his emergence (1915-1918) even though Gandhiji seemed to be ploughing a lonely furrow, his personality and politics had been firmly cast in moulds peculiarly his own.2

Gandhiji's ideas are well reflected in the following words of Natesan,

I could only join an organization to affect its policy and not to be affected by it. This does not mean that I would not now have an open mind to receive new light. I simply wish to emphasize the fact that the new light will have to be specially dazzling in order to entrance me.3

This new light of Satyagraha, new technique of non-violent action acted as effective instruments for rectifying injustices, righting the wrongs and settling the conflicts. Virtually this light of Satyagraha illuminated the course of developments during Gandhiji's leadership for the remaining years of freedom struggle till 1947.