In a World of Uncertainty, Gandhi’s Ideals Remain India’s Moral Compass: LG Manoj Sinha We are remembering Bapu at a time when the entire world is going through a period of uncertainty, remarked the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. Some major realignments are being made, while new relationships are being formed and redefined. There is tension somewhere and realignment is taking place elsewhere. The fire of war is burning at some place in the world. Climate change is threatening the future of humanity. So somewhere, the breakdown of normal trade is trying to divide the global society from within. Looking at many issues these days, it seems as if the whole world is waiting for a spark and whatever relationships we have can be reduced to ashes at any time. In such challenging times, I find the calm and powerful voice of Mahatma Gandhi gives us both strength and solace, LG stated. And that is why, today, I want to say that Pujya Bapu is not only a great personality of the world, but is also a living guide for today’s complicated world. His philosophy of non-violence, truth and self-reliance is as relevant to the entire world today as it was during India’s freedom struggle, LG said. Bapu had a very clear view that by protecting human dignity, equality, social justice, welfare of all religions, lower classes of society, rights of women and youth, and by protecting all these, with the spirit of unity, we can create a rock-like stability within the society even in the most difficult circumstances. With this determination and extraordinary courage, Gandhiji chose the path of Satyagraha. Gandhiji, through his actions and the discharge of all his responsibilities, proved that change requires not only strength but also character and diligence. Gandhiji’s greatest strength lay in morality, and he proved that moral values are a person’s strength and invaluable asset, and that they can unite society and face even the greatest challenges. And especially to the young generation, I would like to say that the meaning of non-violence of revered Gandhiji was not a weak ideal because I consider non-violence to be the pinnacle of courage. Whenever challenges arose in the freedom struggle, Gandhiji taught the entire nation through Satyagraha that individual sacrifice can inspire collective action. And non-violence is a practical philosophy, not just idealism. I believe that there is no greater example of mantra and inspiration in history than the Dandi March. Today, I am fully confident that when we all embrace Gandhiji’s principles, we can realise the dream of a peaceful, just and humane Jammu and Kashmir and the world, LG said. Be it the programme of 2nd October or the month-long Pad Yatra, Bapu ji’s birth anniversary programmes are being celebrated with great pomp in schools, colleges and universities for the last six years. And it has had an impact on society as well. And the proof of this is that whether it is Tiranga Yatra, a large number of students and youth of Jammu Kashmir participate in it and now when the Indian Government started Vande Mataram campaign, in the first phase, Jammu Kashmir got the first position in the entire country. If we have to pay true tribute to Bapu, then I think we will have to take a resolution. Bapu repeatedly said that the change we want to see must begin with ourselves, said the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha.
