"Mahatma’s vision of swadeshi and rural renaissance key to achieving the mission of Self -Reliant India- Atma Nirbhar Bharat.In order to create a self-reliant society, Government schemes like Make in India movement should be taken forward enthusiastically ", said Dr B. Subburaj, Vice Chancellor, The Gandhigram Rural University, Dindugal, during a webinar jointly organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Field Outreach Bureau, Vellore and Press Information Bureau, Chennai.

The webinar ‘Realising the dreams of Mahatma’was conducted as part of the celebration of Mahatma’s 151st Birth anniversary  . Recalling the situation prevailing in India before the arrival of British, Dr B. Subburaj said, "Until the 16th century, India was a self-reliant country and even in any epic works like Silappadhikaram or those written by Adishankara who had travelled the length and breadth of the country in 7^th century,  there is no mention of any famine, death or robbery anywhere in the country. People were self-reliant and happy until the British entered our country". He further stated that in order to suppress the native people elsewhere , the Britishers   used  the industrial revolution during the 18th century to their advantage by importing raw materials from colonies and selling finished goods there. From then onwards, the self-reliant society like India  became a heavily  dependant, especially on the British and the west.

The Vice Chancellor also added that, "The intention of the British to suppress the Indians angered Mahatma Gandhi and thus he started the swadeshi movement to propagate ’ Be Indian, buy Indian’. Supporting this movement, thousands of people burnt the dresses which were manufactured in London to disrupt their spinning industries"

He further said that with the intention to recreate a self-reliant society, integrating small scale industries and promoting their products, the Government of India has come up with various schemes and policies likeAtma nirbhar Bharat, Make in India movement, Swachh Bharat,  and green management.

Dr T. Ravichandran, Assistant Professor, The Gandhigram Rural University, in his address, recollected the various incidents that happened in the life of Mahatma Gandhi starting from his journey to South Africa in his 19th year, including his struggles to provide justice and dignity for the Indians living in and outside India, especially for the 13 thousand people living in South Africa.

"On the day of Indian Independence, Mahatma Gandhi did not hold the national flag. This does not mean that he was not happy with the freedom, but he felt that from this freedom only the political power has been achieved and we are yet to get the freedom and development  in important  fields that touch millions of lives  like education, agriculture ”, he said.Even though he struggled hard for Independence, Mahatma Gandhi was probably the only international leader of that stature  not to have claimed any official position , he further stated.

Citing one of the incidents in the life of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Madurai where he was moved by  the plight of the farmers, he switched over from his traditional Gujarati dress to wear just a dhoti, thus proving that he was a man of the masses who cared for the one ness of the word, thought and the deed. Even during his visit to the Buckingham palace to visit the king, Gandhi refused to change his clothes, Dr. Ravichandran added. This simplicity and unassuming nature of the Gandhiji inspired many world leaders like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and the like, he said.

 

He also stated that though Mussolini and Gandhi were against the British, Mussolini did not adopt the principle of Gandhi's non-violence movement. Similarly, Gandhi wrote letters to Hitler insisting that he follow the non-violence movement.

Dr. R. Seerangarajan, Director, Department of Rural Industries Management,  The Gandhigram Rural University in his address, insisted that changes should be made in the educational system and curriculumto  creating a self-reliant society. Due to the industrial revolution the discrimination between the rich and the poor arose and the confidence and livelihood of farmers and other people were drastically affected, he added.Stating that urbanisation and industrialization are against the principles of Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, he said that 70% of the population live in villages and their lives and economy matter the most to becoming a self-reliant nation.

"Rural industries require much of human labour and knowledge, less of machineries and equipment that cause pollution and harm the society.  In order to improve the rural economy and the toiling masses, it is essential to develop rural industries." He requested the people to support these industries and rural artisans by spending at least Rs. 10,000 per year by buying khadi dresses and products like soaps, medicines and oils from the local people.

In his introductory address, Shri Gurubabu Balaraman, Director, Press Information Bureau, Chennai said that Mahatma Gandhi had a simple living and high thinking. He also listed the various principles ofMahatma Gandhi like tolerance, non-violence, decentralization of power which he said are essential for the people and society irrespective of the modern times and scientific advancement.

Shri J. Kamaraj, Joint Director, Regional Outreach Bureau, Chennai, welcomed the participants and said that Gandhiji , a disciplinarian himself had the  courage and conviction to declare that his life is his  message for all times to come. Gandhiji’s concept of cleanliness or swachchta is  but the means to achieve the end , self - discipline or performing swadharma earnestly  , he added. 

Earlier, a two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Late Union Minister, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan.

Shri S. Murali, Field Publicity Officer, Field Outreach Bureau, Vellore, delivered the vote of thanks.

***

(Release ID: 1663294) Visitor Counter : 564