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`Scientists have realised value of Gandhiji's ideas'

By Our Staff Correspondent

R.L.M. Patil, former Professor, Department of History, Bangalore University, inaugurating the Gandhi Study Centre at Mangalore University on Wednesday by placing a flower on the photo of Gandhiji. B. Hanumaiah (left), Vice-Chancellor, Mangalore Unive rsity, and K. Sundar Naik, its Registrar, are seen.

MANGALORE, MARCH 23. Thoughts of Gandhiji are still relevant. Some multinational companies too have realised that the philosophy of Gandhiji is still applicable, said M. Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister, here on Wednesday.

He was addressing a gathering at the inaugural function of the Gandhi Study Centre at Mangalagangotri, Mangalore University.

Mr. Moily said Gandhiji's thoughts were applicable in the universal context. "Hence, he is inevitable to the world,'' he said

Likening Gandhiji to an encyclopaedia, Mr. Moily said Gandhian thoughts had become more relevant today than earlier.

New perspective

The former Chief Minister said there was a need to study Gandhian thoughts from a new angle. "Gandhiji gave freedom and dignity to the oppressed class,'' he said.

Mr. Moily said Gandhiji had spoken on organic farming and the need to adopt it during his period. Now, after many years, agriculture scientists in the world have realised the importance of organic farming.

Organic farming

Hence, many countries have embraced organic farming. Some countries are even considering imposing a ban on the use of chemicals and chemical fertilizers in farming.

Describing the country's fight for Independence as "a secular freedom struggle'', he said the people could come together to fight for Independence because of the leadership of Gandhiji.

R.L.M. Patil, former professor, Department of Political Science, Bangalore University, who inaugurated the centre, said Gandhiji believed that "truth is substance of substance''. And it (truth) could be reached through non-violence.

Gandhiji loved to win over violence and hatred. According to Gandhiji, politics is something "making the impossible possible''.

The Mahatma believed that any Satyagraha should have public interest and not selfish motive. One who breaks the law should be prepared to face its consequences also.

Mr. Patil said Gandhiji believed that the government should have the minimum role in administration. Instead, people should rule themselves. He pioneered the concept of non-governmental organisations.

He said there are 220 centres on Gandhian studies in the world.

Seminars

P.L. Dharma, director of the centre, said it had drawn up plans to implement social outreach programmes besides arranging seminars on Gandhian thoughts and activities to promote communal harmony. There was a plan to introduce a training programme for gram panchayats members.

B. Hanumaiah, Vice-Chancellor, Mangalore University, presided over the function. K. Sundar Naik, Registrar, welcomed the gathering.

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