Gandhian perspective of socialism (Relevance in contemporary India)

There is need to re-assess the value of Gandhi's social and economic ideas in the context of contemporary problems of not only India but also world. India will be really independent if it becomes independent in terms of economic self-dependence and basic facilities are provided to all. Similarly, in the reckless world of Capitalism, Free trade, Liberalisation, Globalization and Privatisation, Gandhian philosophy teaches us not to forget the welfare of whole humanity. Gandhi was primarily a social reformer. He called himself a ‘social revolutionist’. He had to enter politics because political handicaps stood in the way of the realization of his ideals of social change. He was the first Indian politician to give a social dimension to the Indians struggle for freedom from British rule. The Congress in its earlier days, had repeatedly turned down the suggestion to devote its attention to the social problems under the fear that this would divide the national political front. Gandhi removed the distinction between social and political activities. In today's political scene, only the political objectives have become prime concern whereas Gandhi felt that socio-economic issues should be of primary importance as compared to political goals of a party. Gandhian ideas on socialism need to be studied in today's competitive world of profit-making and lop-sided development.