Gandhian principles and their relevance for world peace

Gandhi was a contemplative man of action seeking truth for the eradication of evil, injustice and exploitation in human relationships and public affairs. He wanted to devise ways and means which would be consistent with the principles he had laid down for himself as being the best. He was as heroic in fighting the evil and injustice in the world outside as in conquering the evil and weakness in his own mind. The means he adopted satisfied the double demand, namely, that they should be truthful and that they should be pure, moral and constructive. Thus, in a world where science and technology have put into the hand of those in possession of wealth, power and authority weapons of coercion and destruction beyond ordinary conception, Gandhi's weapons of satyagraha and non-violence were a boon. Though its use in an international conflict has yet to be tried, one can hazard the statement that non-alignment, moral pressure by non-aligned powers, and the economic and other sanctions which the international institutions often think of are along the line of nonviolent resistance to evil and injustice. The important aspect of Gandhi's teachings which can be taken note of here is his insistence on ‘Sarvodaya’ or welfare of all and resolution of all conflicts by peaceful means. It is clear that Gandhi's life, thought, teaching and action are ever relevant for all pacifist and practitioners involved in struggle for achieving world peace.