GandhianValues:Need of the hour to combat social pollution

                                                            

Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi said, "Let the winds come from all sides but let us not be blown away by winds". He was indicating towards 'cultural imperialism'. It is true that we are today in the trap of western culture.Gandhi condemned western culture because it was materialistic and exploitative. He said, ‘the predominant character of modern civilizationis to dethroneGod and enthrone materialism.I have not hesitated to call this system of government under which we are labeling 'satanic'’.

The basic problem we are facing today is that the technological advancement and cultural globalization has changed the face of our country. Everything is valuable for society when we recognize its constructive face as energy is used for both cooling and heating. Our cultural heritage support that type of development which has its connectivity to sustain spirituality, humanitarianism, value, ethics and above all universal brotherhood and that is the true meaning of sustainable development.

In the globalised world of open economy open culture has somehowdeeply rotten our social and cultural health. The technological revolution on the one hand opens the wide horizon of knowledge giving society and on the other hand, social pollution and vulgarity shown through internet and other social mediais also diverting many youth. There should be censorship on vulgar advertisements and other polluted presentations on cinema, TV, internet or any other media.

Gandhi was never against developmentbut he supported Indian model of development. This is the demand of time also. Unless and until we do not connect ethics, value, spirituality and morality with development we will always find ourselves on the wrong path of development. That is why Gandhi said, “If we provide food for the body which is perishable then surely it is our primary dutyto provide food for the soul which is imperishable..........”.

The demand of time is to rejuvenate our cultural heritage, which can guide the whole world throughspirituality. This has got the capacity to solve the problems, the world is facing today. Gandhi was an ardent supporter of cultural heritage of our country. With the growing influence of western culture and in the name of modernity, we are accepting negative facets of western culture. So this is the right time to prevent the bad flowof global culture and to focus on our spiritual values, which is the foundation of our cultural heritage. This will be the right tribute to Gandhism.

                                                                                                           Dr.Purnima Singh