Media Release
Udupi, Oct 2: Gandhian philosophy was not merely about achieving political freedom but also about enabling individuals to understand themselves, said Dr Prasad Rao.
He was delivering a special lecture on ‘Gandhiji in the thoughts of Shivaram Karanth’, organised as part of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at Dr G Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College and Postgraduate Study Centre, Ajjarkadu, in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture and the Dr Shivaram Karanth Trust.
Dr Rao, professor at S R S M N Government First Grade College, Barkur, said the essence of Gandhiji’s philosophy was that one should not be ruled by others and, at the same time, should strive to understand oneself.
He said Gandhi used even basic commodities such as salt to convey the idea of freedom and mobilised farmers and the poor by bringing their hardships into the larger public movement. Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj, written in 1909, could be regarded as a personal constitution that provided important insights into his philosophy, he said.
While Shivaram Karanth shared certain views with Gandhi on industrialisation, he differed with Gandhi on concepts such as celibacy, renunciation and extreme simplicity, Dr Rao said.
Presiding over the programme, Dr Gananatha Shetty Ekkaru, president of the Dr Shivaram Karanth Trust, said several contemporary initiatives, including the Swadeshi movement and cleanliness campaigns, drew inspiration from Gandhian thought.
He also recalled former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, describing him as a disciple of Gandhi who incorporated Gandhian values into his life.
Inaugurating the programme, college principal Prof Nikethana said Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence continued to remain relevant. She urged students to imbibe his simple lifestyle and values in their daily lives.
Students rendered Raghupati Raghava Rajaram and Vaishnava Jana To.
The programme was organised by the college’s National Service Scheme (NSS) and Youth Red Cross units. Youth Red Cross coordinator Kavitha welcomed the gathering, Dr Safiya proposed the vote of thanks, and NSS programme officer Rakesh compered the programme.