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What does Gandhi'giri' mean to you?

DNA asks people about Mahatma Gandhi's depiction in movies and whether his ideology is relevant today.

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Today Gandhi Jayanti will be celebrated to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation’. DNA asks people about his depiction in movies and whether his ideology is relevant today.

Not many believe in his ideals now

I believe that Gandhian ideals do not work in practical life. It only works in reel life. In today’s world, money matters and people must have street-savvy, these things work. Honestly, I have learnt and read about Gandhi and his teachings only in history books, during my schooling. I heard about his thoughts in television programmes and I have occasionally read about it in newspapers. But on a day-to-day basis, I have never come across anyone who follows his ideology seriously or even knows it accurately. I have never witnessed a group discussion or debate on the ideology of Gandhiji. 
Malay Shah

More acceptance in the West than home

Gandhi’s depiction in movies overshadows his real life image. Today more facts and important details have emerged about him, which most were not aware. Despite movies promoting Gandhian philosophy, not many in India look up to him as their icon. It’s ironical to note that in the West, there is more appreciation about his work. Obama too mentioned that he has always looked up to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration. No other freedom fighter is revered as much as as Gandhi is.
Chandrika Sanghvi

Following Gandhigiri is a trend today

He has always been depicted as a revolutionary who abjured weapons. However, some commercial movies have brought out hitherto unknown facets of the icon. He has been made to look more like a human – with all flaws. The truth should be depicted, even if it is not accepted by the masses. To some extent people remember his ideology and it has slowly become a trend among the youth. For example, the word ‘Gandhigiri’ has entered the popular lexicon among the youngsters.                                            
Pawan Kookani

Gandhiji’s presence is omnipotent 

He is the father of the nation and our foremost national icon. It will be unjust to say that he is appreciated more in the West as people even today look up to him. He is so omnipotent that you actually don’t recollect how you heard about him first. The fact that we are a civilised society is because there is a Gandhi in each one of us. I also admire Pandit Nehru as he had a vision to build India from zero. Some of the institutions he setup have stood like a rock even after 60 years of Independence. 
Ramji Rajamani

Expert view

Govt too has failed to abide by ideals

It will be unfair to say that Gen Y has forgotten the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi. The onus lies on the present generation, which is so busy in their day-to-day routine, that they have forgotten to impart knowledge about our history to the youngsters. Therefore, they have to depend on history books or commercial movies to get their facts. His values about non-violence are ignored. Today hate has become a part of our culture, we see several forms of violence from domestic battery to communal riots. Even the government has failed to abide by his non-violent ideals. I still believe that the Mahatma has many followers - one has to visit museums dedicated to the icon to witness that. He is an inspiration not only in India but is admired worldover. Any public figure faces the danger of being caricatured, but I’m sure Gandhi’s persona is huge enough to survive
that. People might tweak his character to extend his appeal to a larger section of society, but one can never forget the real Gandhi.
Teesta Setalvad, social activist

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