At every Gandhi Jayanthi we ask: How relevant is Gandhi today? Not only in India, but the world over thinking people are raising this question.

   Our times are very different from Gandhi’s. The world and India have entered a new era. We hear the loud din of unprecedented advance in science and technology as well as the spread of information technology. New philosophies have taken root in our life both in the private and the public spheres. Our thoughts, attitudes and life-styles have undergone a dramatic change.

  New definitions and interpretations are being given to concepts, such as development, growth, progress, etc. In these circumstances, what is the relevance of Gandhi? How relevant are the solutions to our problems Gandhi suggested from his background?

Unpleasant truths

  The following observations, made by Amartya Sen, in his work On Ethics and Economics, should be read in this....