SoCultures October 2018
spent in South Africa as profound, spiritual and filled with lots of political
experiences.
S Bapu, you have created many movements, you were a leading figure in the
negotiations, resorted to fasts to raise voice against injustices, visited many a
troubled areas and advocated many persuasive methods of civil disobedience,
civil rights movements which influenced leaders of civil rights movements around
the world, What do you think are your achievements?
M I think that I walk every day for 18 kms for the last forty years. Ha! Ha! (Starts
laughing).
S Oh, that’s indeed discipline; after all you need tremendous stamina, good health
and will power to change the course of history.
But let me just tell you a few of your achievements that tweaked the history of the
world.
Your civil disobedience movement which inspired thousands across the globe was
itself a big inspiration. You were responsible for the Civil Rights movement in
twelve countries across four continents. You fought against racial discrimination
in South Africa, your Satyagraha campaign in SA led to the 1914 Indian Relief Act.
You won the first battle of civil disobedience in India at Champaran where your
organized protests and strikes to get farmers compensation and control against the
landlords made the British landlords signed an agreement granting more rights to
the farmers..Also you successfully led a non-violent tax revolt in Kheda in Gujarat.
Then there was the popular Non-cooperation movement in early 1920s.
(Interviewer looks in amazement) How could you do so mach Mahatma?
M (shrugs) It was just the outcomes of my beliefs. I think. I find all the religions
as equal and I also believe in trying to pursue and express the same eternal truths
and wisdom. Well, I fiercely advocate non-violence and compassion also.
S I am not done yet. In South Africa, you promoted football as the non-violent
campaigns and helped establish three football clubs in Durban, Pretoria and
Johannesburg..
M (closes eyes and smiles) Dhanyawad! Thanks!
S Why you always wore Dhoti or Loincloth? Bapu?
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