AHMEDABAD, FEB 29
Gandhians are often perceived to be grey-haired people who are in their 60s, wearing khadi clothes, and carrying shoulder bags. This notion was proved wrong by 15 unsung Gandhians, who were awarded at a programme held at Gujarat Vidyapith, founded by M.K. Gandhi, on Saturday in Ahmedabad, The Week reports.
These Gandhians, belonging to different age groups—from the early 30s to 60s—have been working for people from different sections of the society in various parts of India. They were felicitated by Gandhian Society, the USA, headed by Bhadra Bhutala, and Gujarat Vidyapith. The awardees were given citations and Rs 51,000 each.
Among the awardees were Bharti Odedara, working in the conflict zone in Chhattisgarh, Anand Malligavad of Bengaluru also known as ‘Lake Man’, Jaldeep Thaker who has been working in North Gujarat, and Sailesh Singhal of West Bengal.
Awardees also included those who have left lucrative professions or quit government jobs to work for the poor and marginalised.
Hasmukh Patel, one of the organisers, observed that there are one crore active Gandhians across the country and added that this is more than the number of people who are consumed by communal hatred.
Butala said such programmes would encourage youngsters to come forward. “We might not be able to do it overnight, but the change would happen. It may take 1,000 years,” he added.
Patel felt that there is an urgent need for the Gandhians to unite.
The Gandhian Society plans to organise similar felicitation programmes in the future to propagate the ideology of M.K. Gandhi.
