PM Modi Travels the World with Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept Gandhi--the father of non-violence-- faithfully by his side during his world travels. This time he landed at Brisbane to unveil a statue of Gandhi as non resident Indian’s gathered to chant “Namo, Namo” and give him a rock star reception.

Gandhi, shot dead by Nathuram Godse over six decades ago, has been given more prominence by PM Modi than any other Prime Minister in his recent memory. As he said while unveiling the statue at Roma Park, “after becoming Prime Minister, I have spoken about Gandhiji often.” And went on to add, “on 2nd October, it was not just a person that was not born in Porbandar, but an era was born. Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime.”

Just last month PM Modi stopped by at Gandhi’s statue in Washington to pay floral tributes, head bowed and a picture of humility.

And there is every likelihood that next year during an official visit to the UK---it it takes place of course---he could be asked to unveil yet another statue of Gandhi outside the British Parliament. The statue is to mark the centennial of Gandhi's return to India from South Africa.

"As the father of the largest democracy in the world, it’s time for Gandhi to take his place in front of the mother of Parliament,"Britain's chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne was quoted as saying. "He is a figure of inspiration, not just in Britain and India, but around the world," he added. According to PM Modi Gandhi was relevant for as he had said at home, cleanliness, and as he now said at Brisbane, for respect for environment and against terrorism. As he explained, “at the heart of global warming is the philosophy of exploitation.Mahatma Gandhi always loved nature. He was against the exploitation of nature."

Citing an example, he said when Mahatma Gandhi stayed at the Sabarmati Ashram, the river was full of water. "Yet even at that time, he scolded people for wasting water,” he said.

Gandhi's belief in non-violence, PM Modi said, was relevant to address the issue of terrorism today. He said, “if we look at the problems world is facing, Gandhi's teachings seem to be the only solution.”

The Congress has little to say on the issue, except for a comment by senior leader Digivijay Singh to PM Modi to focus on the RSS and not on the Congress icons. Gandhi remained buried in the textbooks of history while the Congress was in power for ten years, with no effort being made by either then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his many visits abroad or Congress president Sonia Gandhi to make the little extra effort necessary to revive Gandhi and his thoughts.