Gandhian Thought And Communication

Gandhian Thought and Communication: Rethinking the Mahatma in the Media Age looks at Gandhian thought and contributions from an interdisciplinary communication perspective. It explores the Mahatma as a public intellectual and communicator. It studies Gandhi's unique communication techniques to connect with the masses and the way he used and appropriated myth, metaphors and symbols to communicate his ideas related to modernity and nationalism. The book examines how Gandhian ideas have been tested and the implications derived. This book also studies the contemporary relevance of Gandhian thought by looking at various popular media representations to open up the possibilities of rethinking and recasting Gandhi in the present context.

1. EARLY LIFE ……………………………………………………………… 1-27 Education Life as an English Gentleman Birth of a Leader Gandhi’s Arrival in India Transvaal Condition Influence of John Ruskin Writing Gandhi’s vows to Brahmacharaya Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance The First Satyagraha and its Success Gokhale’s visit and Withdrawal of Black Act 2. GANDHI’S ARRIVAL IN INDIA ………………………………… 28-4 Satyagraha Ashram, Ahmedabad First Satyagraha experiment in India War Conference Jallianwalla Bagh Calling Civil Disobedience a Himalayan Blunder Boycott of Hunter Committee Gandhi’s Leadership Gandhi’s Fast 3. VARIOUS MOVEMENTS ………………………………………… 43-54 Gandhi as a Mass Leader Diminishing Popularity of Gandhiji All Parties Conference Nehru Report Civil Disobedience Eleven Points 4. SECOND PHASE OF MOVEMENTS ……………………… 55-73 Dandi March The Gandhi-Irwin Pact Poona Pact Retirement From Congress Difference over World War-II {iii} 5. GANDHI’S LEADERSHIP ……………………………………….. 74-90 ‘Do or Die’ Mantra The Cabinet Mission Rajaji Formula Simla Conference Interim Government Formula Politician to Saint Partition Plan 6. TOWARDS FREEDOM ……………………………………………. 91-94 Independence Gandhi’s Helplessness 7. GANDHI’S SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY ………………………. 95-111 Love for Truth What is Truth? Non-Violence means Love Travesty of Non-Violence Critique of Violence The Ends and the Means Faith in Moksha Gandhi’s Sarvodaya Concept of Trusteeship Varna Dharma Concept 8. GANDHI’S IDEAS OF A PLANNED SOCIETY …………………………………………… 112-117 Village Reconstruction Eradication of Untouchability Gandhi’s Moral Philosophy Swadeshi and Swarajya Sarvodaya 9. NON-VIOLENCE …………………………………………………. 118-125 Non-Violence in Economic, Political and Social Fields Gandhi and Force {iv} 10. GANDHI AND SOCIALISM …………………………………. 126-130 Gandhian Socialism Sarvodaya Samaj Gandhi the Utopian Gandhian Socialism Vs World Socialism 11. GANDHIAN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION …….. 131-139 Gandhi’s Ideas on Education Craft- Centred Education Gandhi’s Aims of Education Message to Students Gandhi’s Programme of Education 12. GANDHI’S PHILOSOPHY OF SATYAGRAHA ……. 140-152 Gandhi’s Experiments: The Salt Satyagraha Faith in Truth Qualities of A Satyagrahi Satyagraha: A Weapon to Counter Evil Satyagraha is not Cowardice Strength of Satyagraha Satyagraha Principle Dictates of God 13. RELIGION AND POLITICS…………………………………. 153-157 No Religious Movements without Politics Purity in Politics is Essential Politics is for the liberation of the Country Moral Courage is essential in Politics Secrecy has no Place in Politics 14. THE ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY OF GANDHI …… 158-161 Background of Gandhian Economic Thought The Economic Structure of Gandhian State 15. THEORY OF TRUSTEESHIP ………………………………. 162-164 Non-Possession and Non-Stealing Bread Labour Gandhi on Decentralisation of Industries {v} 16. GANDHI ON FAMILY PLANNING ……………………… 165-167 Late Marriages Brahmacharya Ashram Vyavastha 17. GANDHI AND MARX AS POLITICAL PHILOSPHERS ……………………………….. 168-173 Gandhi was a Philosohical Anarchist Gandhi as a Moralist 18. ENDS AND MEANS ……………………………………………… 174-180 Inner Values Strength Did Gandhi fail Gandhi as a Law-abiding Citizen Truth and Non-Violence Second Best State Gandhian Swaraj 19. IDEAL STATE ………………………………………………………. 181-184 Supporter of Universal Franchise Emphasis on Duties Gandhi and Hinduism Right and Duty Gandhi’s Love for Hinduism Gandhi’s Doctrine of Self-Reliance 20. SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY…… 185-191 Importance of Religion Voluntary Suffering Inner Voice God both Law and Law Giver God is Perfection God and Evil Uncontrollable Optimision MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS………………192-20

The book explores the evolution of Gandhi's ideas, his attitudes toward religion, the racial problem, the caste system, his conflict with the British, his approach to Muslim separatism and the division of India, his attitude toward social and economic change, his doctrine of nonviolence, and other key issues.

Ramchandra Gandhi, famous for his rich and varied interests, left behind a large corpus of writings, both philosophical and non-philosophical. Introducing the readers to the creative Indian philosopher, this volume highlights the principal thrust of his works, critically locates them within the larger political, philosophical, literary and socio-cultural context, and accounts for his lasting influence. For the first time, essays on Ramchandra Gandhi’s earlier works and later writings have been brought together to take stock of his contribution to contemporary Indian thought as a whole. Written by philosophers as well as those belonging to literature and the social sciences, the essays record his experimental ventures both in form and content, and shed light on key themes in language, communication, religion, aesthetics, spirituality, consciousness, self, knowledge, politics, ethics, and non-violence. The book will appeal to those in philosophy, political science, history, sociology, literature, and Gandhian studies.

On the fundamental ideas of Gandhi's socio-political philosophy.

Gandhian Thought Can Be Evaluated In Two Perspectives. One Is What Gandhi Basically Stands For. He Distrusted Industrialism And Had The Courage To Decry Industrialization With Mass Production Even When It Was At Its Peak. In That Spirit Gandhian View Of Human Society Is An Alternative To Modern Industrial Society.In The Other Perspective, Gandhian Thought Is Evaluated In Terms Of The Needs And Requirements Of The Existing Society And An Attempt Is Made To Reinterpret It To Suit Those Requirements. In This Endeavour, The Basic Spirit Of Gandhian Ideals, Very Often, Is Sacrificed Or Compromised.The Present Book Gandhian Theory Of Social Reconstruction Analyses Gandhian Thought In The First Perspective And Thereby Provides A Rational And Viable Framework Of Post-Industrial Human Society After Gandhian Ideals.It First Establishes That There Is The Need To Find An Alternative To Industrial Society And That The Alternative Could Be Based On Spirituality. The Concept Of Spirituality Is Discussed Here In Secular And Sociological Terms Avoiding All Jargons Of Various Religions And Philosophy.Further, The Book Propounds A New Unconventional Classification Of Human Motivation Encompassing The Entire Gamut Of Motivational Urge.It Also Introduces The Concept Of Soul Force As A New Dimension To The Realms Of Theory And Practice Of Social Reconstruction. This Is Based On The Awakening Of The Soul To Its Potential Or Force That Gives Strength To The Individual At Least To Uphold One S Dignity And Self-Respect Which Are Being Violated In The Present Society Whether Of The West Or Of The East. For Creating And Sustaining Soul Force, This Theory Provides Appropriate Instruments And Methods.The Book Also Outlines The Constitution Of A Non-Violent Society Incorporating Such Ingredients As May Lead To The Emergence Of A Non-Violent And Spiritual Social Order. The Book Then Goes On To Discuss The Method Of Non-Violent Action In The Manner Of A Process As A Gandhian Technique For Conflict Resolution, Fighting Against Social Injustice And Exploitation And Rebuilding The New Society.One May Ridicule The Theory As Utopian. But The Goals Should Always Be Set On The Highest Side Even Though They May Never Be Realized In Their Completeness. One Should Constantly Try To Reach Them As High As Possible To The Best Of One S Capacity. The Goals Should Never Be Set On The Lower Level.This Book Opens Up Many New Vistas For Research And Joins The Current Debate In Political And Economic Fields On Social Reconstruction Going On Since The Second World War And More So After The Collapse Of Communism In Soviet Russia And The 9/11 Events That Have Agitated The Human Conscience.

This book examines what Gandhian thought contributes to the conceptualisation of wisdom and its application in the 21st Century. It draws together leading international researchers and practitioners to combine an in-depth understanding of Gandhi’s philosophy with the latest research from psychology and allied social sciences. Beginning with an overview of wisdom in the domain of scientific research and as it is understood in our everyday life, the book’s editors further call attention to key cross cultural issues limiting its current scope. Amongst the topics explored are Gandhi’s silence, fasting, vows, self-efficacy, self-control, and more, illustrating what he offers not only to the study of wisdom within psychology, but across a broad range of disciplines and professional enterprises. It is invaluable to students and scholars of Gandhian studies, the psychology of wisdom, management and peace psychology; as well to readers with a general interest in the application of Gandhi’s wisdom today.

Comprising of 14 chapters, Gandhi, the Communicator deals with Gandhian ideals based on the author’s study of the Mahatma at the Gandhi Museum, Rajkot in Gujarat. The chapters are named after truth, celibacy, control of the palate, ahimsa, removal of untouchability, non-possession (aparigraha), abhay (fearlessness), asteya (non-stealing), zaat-mehnat (bread labour), equality of religions (sarva dharm sambhaav or tolerance) and swadeshi. Gandhiji was inspired by four main thinkers – Leo Tolstoy on whose name he even named one of his farms, John Ruskin, Henry David Thoreau and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

This Palgrave Pivot showcases new research on M.K. Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi, and the press, telegraphs, broadcasting and popular culture. Despite Gandhi being the subject of numerous books over the past century, there are few that put media centre stage. This edited collection explores both Gandhi’s own approach to the press, but also how different advocacy groups and the media, within India and overseas, engaged with Gandhi, his ideology and methodology, to further their own causes. The timeframe of the book extends from the late nineteenth century up to the present, and the case studies draw inspiration from a number of disciplinary approaches.