Be The Change

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a name that defines Indian history, a person who changed the very meaning of the word revolution in the world by his non-violent movement for independence, a person who succeeded in his aim following his ideology and principles when the world believed otherwise. The greatest thing about Gandhi was his belief and fearlessness, belief that his ideologies were good and fearlessness to follow them against all the odds. He faced criticism for his approach, for his way of doing things, for his views on other revolutionaries using violent means for revolution, but he stood firm on his ideologies and the rest is history. But the man Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is not the ‘father of the nation’ merely because he won freedom but because he tried to lay foundation for a better world and fought for it till his last breath.

‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’

These words of Gandhi were not merely based on his freedom struggle but also for the future India he saw, for which he was ready to die for. He wanted non-violence, he wanted truth, he wanted unity and throughout his life he stood up for his principles because he knew that the India which he wanted to see would depend on how he acts and how people would look upto him. Trying to put himself as a role model for the future generations he tried to be what he wanted the world to be like.
We all criticise the fact that certain things never change, that certain things are always hindering us but then the question is what we have done to change it. We criticise that there is corruption but we don’t fall back in giving bribes to get our work done, we say that the government is bad but many of us don’t even cast our votes and so many other instances. It is often said and truly said that if you want to change the world, first change yourself.

‘There is enough good in this world which is worth fighting for.’

No one is perfect, neither Gandhi nor Lincoln, but what they did was that they stood up for their ideologies, their beliefs in the pursuit of making a better world for future generations. Everyone has ideologies, they may not be the same, and they may differ but if it’s for the benefit of all it’s worth following it. The ideologies do not strictly mean the political way but in your attitude, in your style, in your faith. If you want respect give respect, if you want to be treated politely be polite. Only when you change yourself, can YOU make the difference. And making a change does not mean changing the mass, but by following your ideology even if you can change one person, make him believe that what you are doing is right and for the good and eventually making him follow you, you have done more than your share of job.

This world is a beautiful place and just because someone is not like you or does not think like you does not make him bad. In following our path we would face many difficulties. Even if you are good, even if you are polite, the world may not be so kind to you, but then who said it will be. People will fight for their purposes irrespective whether you hinder them or not, but its upon us to show that no matter how bad it gets, the principles that we have built over years for ourself are far more important. It’s like the old saying

‘Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good guy is like expecting the lion not to eat you because you are vegetarian.’

Choose your role models wisely, the people you look up to. They make up your mind, your attitude in life and your whole way of living. Always remember that if you don’t like being suppressed, don’t try suppressing others for they might feel the same. Try to be the person who can make this world a better place and irrespective of hurdles, follow your ideologies, for if you change one heart it just makes one less person to change in this world, which is after all as much as one can do.