Gandhiji led India to the dawn of Indian independence through a long struggle against the colonial powers. He inspired, guided, challenged and led millions of Indians to join the struggle for freedom, not with weapons of mass destruction and a gun-wielding army, but with the weapons of truth, non-violence and peace. Even when the conditions were oppressive and the challenges insurmountable, Gandhiji remained steadfastly committed to the weapon of non-violence for his struggle for freedom.

Gandhiji believed that it is irrational and self-contradictory to use violence to achieve the goal of a peaceful society. He therefore encouraged massive civil disobedience movements like the Salt March of 1930 and the Quit India Movement of 1942 which, according to him, were a just means to achieve just ends. He strongly believed that violence and hatred were not just a means for winning freedom.

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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

He can be termed, without doubt, as Gujarat’s best ambassador of tourism. Donning a Gandhi topi, a khadi kurta and carrying the Mahatma’s message: “Be the change” on his autorickshaw, Udaysinh Ramanlal Jadav believes in the principle of ‘atithi devo bhav’ and goes that extra mile to treat his customers as God. Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, with a family of 10: parents, three kids, wife, brother, sister and her son, Udaybhai comes from a very middle class family with a load of responsibilities. It takes a lot of guts to jump into something like this for a person with this kind of a family background. But his conviction of belief, determination to add love to his work, and pleasant experiences when customers hear about his idea, drives him to accomplish his mission.

Udaybhai, as he is known, was like any other rickshaw driver for 10 years. But one day, on one of his regular trips to the Gandhi Ashram, he saw volunteers of the NGO Manav Sadhna rendering selfless service to the needy. Inspired by them, he decided to follow the principles of the Father of the Nation in word and deed. Udaybhai started “Ahmedabad no Rickshawalo” on 21 October 2010, the auspicious day of Dassera, with the concept of gift-economy in mind. The idea behind gift-economy is that someone before you has paid for your travel; now you have to pay-it-forward for subsequent passengers. However, the most impressive thing about Udaybhai is that he doesn’t charge his customers according to the meter, because the meter always reads ZERO! After every trip, he provides the passenger with a self-written greeting card-cum-envelope, which reads ‘Pay from your heart’, in which the passenger places the amount of his/her choice.

When asked if it doesn’t pinch him, he says, “I have no complaints. Whatever I earn at the end of the day, I use it to run my household. I will continue to treat my guests with respect and make them feel at home.”

To make his customers’ journey comfortable, Udaybhai has a mini library in the auto with books on heritage, tourist places and pilgrimage sites to visit in the city, besides English and Gujarati newspapers. An MP3 player provides his passengers with a choice of songs to listen to and there’s a small fan for the summer months. Hungry? There are two boxes containing snacks and drinking water! A dustbin to throw the remains has also been provided. If the journey at night is long, he has installed a portable light for your reading pleasure.

The exterior of the auto also attracts attention. On the front is painted, ‘Love all’, while the mudguard displays the religious symbols of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities, which Udaybhai says “is to convey the message of secularism”. On the side he has hung a board that says in Hindi and English, “Namaste and welcome to Ahmedabad. I am Uday, at your service. I will take you on a journey of Ahmedabad’s streets and across its bustling bridges to experience Gandhi’s legacy and architectural masterpieces…” The message ends with his mobile number and the website www.movedbylove.org.

When asked why he does this, his response is always, “I just want to help people and give them a good experience. If people don’t help each other, then who will?”

The Good Samaritan has a donation box, Akshay Patra, in his auto in which passengers can deposit money; he puts a number of coins daily in the box which he uses to help needy people. He refuses money from disabled, poor, and elderly people.

To improve his service, Udaybhai has a suggestion book for his passengers. Here’s what some passengers wrote in the book:

“This day I have found something new, which I have never seen before. An auto that has newspapers, magazines, MP3 player, reading light and other impressive facilities. The driver is well-mannered and polite, in contrast to the other auto drivers in our city.” —Pravin Jhankat, Rajkot

“The slogans were really inspiring. The driver was very polite. Udaybhai, you are a real Indian! Let every Indian keep an akshay patra like you.” —Dr Girish Panchal, Ahmedabad

Quoting a pleasant and memorable experience, Udaybhai said: “Once, while I was returning after dropping off a passenger, I saw a blind man trying to cross the road. But he wasn’t able to do so due to heavy traffic. So I went to him and asked to hop into the auto. After taking him to the other side of the street, I asked him where he wanted to go. He said, “No thanks, I will reach on my own.”

He was probably hesitant since he thought that I would charge him. After insisting, he said that he wanted to reach his blind men’s hostel. He told me his entire life story and I shared mine with him. Talking about all this, we reached his hostel. The hostel warden came out running, worried since it was unusual for students to come in a private auto till the hostel gates. However, he was pleasantly surprised once he came to know about the concept and invited me for a cup of tea.” These are the kind of experiences that keep Udaybhai’s spirits alive in spite of all the financial hiccups.

Udaybhai’s beliefs and principles are contagious. His wife now prepares dhoklas and lassi for passengers. Other auto drivers, motivated by him, have transformed their autos for a friendlier experience.

His compassion and generosity have seen him make it into the news several times and he has received awards such as Red FM’s Bade Dilwale, the Rotary Club of Ahmedabad Award, and Baroda Management Award. Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Chetan Bhagat have flown to Ahmedabad just to meet him. He gets invited to schools and to entrepreneur meets to talk about his efforts and motivate them.

Udaybhai now has a van to address the growing needs of “comfort travel”, calling it ‘Sabarmati no Saarthi’. This too is run on the concept of gift economy, and has the same facilities as his auto, including clothes for people who need them.

Udaybhai believes that, at the end of the day, it is the absolute peace of mind and not money that will bring him a good night’s sleep.

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Mahatma Gandhi is fortunately among those few great men in the human history whose individual life, works and views, not only proved to be great and exemplary during his lifetime but their relevance and significance remained intact after his passing away. In my opinion the concept of “non-violence” is worth mentioning. In a world of corruption and injustice, how far his concept of non-violence is helpful in maintaining peace and harmony? Challenge to the principle of ahimsa is, Can we keep quiet and let the others kill innocent people just because we believe in ahimsa? We have to understand the current times, and act the way Gandhiji would.
Sarah Chaudhary (13)
Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Kalina

Gandhi’s principle of non-violence played an important role in the freedom movement. The great thought given by Gandhi during the time of freedom movement is also relevant today’s life. Our courts get many cases of crimes because we do not practise the principle of non-violence. Gandhi’s principle of non-violence is the need of the hour. In the history, we can see that people who held the principle of non-violence as the law of their life had brought victory in their life. Hence we need to practise non-violence to make a peaceful nation.
John Thazhappillil (22)

When I read this topic, all the inhuman massacres and violence flash through my mind. Gandhiji propounded peace, tolerance, self-control and communal harmony. His satya, ahimsa and satyagraha paved way to people’s heart. Are Gandhian values followed by the people today? I will say no. This world is filled with disgusting terrorism, violence, discrimination, etc. The politicians ignite religion-based war among the people for money and power. Everyone got tired and bored of being patient and tolerant. According to me, Gandhian principles are slowly dying from the human heart.
M. Rahema Thasneem (20)
Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women, Namakal

The Gandhian principles of non-violence were never irrelevant because non-violence is a very fundamental belief. We cannot imagine this world without non-violence, because if everyone will become violent and cruel like terrorists then they will fight against each other and will end up leaving no one alive, and yes, they might even destroy the earth. So, the Gandhian principle of non-violence has to become the most important thought which everyone should believe and practise to have a peaceful world.
Vrutti Adhyaru M. (20)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The meaning of Gandhian non-violence is non-injury to beings. Yes, it is relevant even today. We have seen two world wars and what was the result? Only love conquers all. “An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth will leave the whole nation blind and toothless.” Even though this world is advanced in technology and loaded with destructive weapons, it still deep within has goodness. Like the primitive people we need not have to kill or destroy. If all start killing each other who will survive?
Infancio Pires
Don Bosco Divyadaan, Nashik

Gandhi provided the world with his timeless philosophy and principles. Gandhi’s non-violence was one of them. But today there is violence everywhere. We see children fighting, families fighting, states fighting (as far as India is concerned, yes the states are in a condition of cold war) and countries fighting. In every second we hear of one or the other terrorist attacks. The principle of non-violence is dying day by day. Now it’s time for us to unite and fight against the rising violence for our peaceful survival.
Palak Singh (13)
Jeevan Marg Sophia Sr. School, Deoria

Gandhian principle of non-violence is very relevant in our times. When social and personal stability of the global scenario is at stake due to various threats, this powerful principle taught by Gandhi can be of inestimable value. We need to adapt it so as to effectively respond to the present violence-crisis. Gandhiji introduced the non-violent movement in the context of the Indian Freedom Movement. What kind of shackles are to be set free today? Our society, family and other sectors need freedom. Violence today has taken various forms. We should be able to adapt the principle of non-violence in our own wanting contexts, without changing its essential nature.
Fantino Pereira
St Joseph’s Monastery, Mangalore

Gandhian philosophy describes the inspiration and vision of Mahatma Gandhi. It is includes his contributions to the principles of non-violent resistance, also known as civil resistance. The two pillars of Gandhian teachings are truth and non-violence.
Hence in today’s context, we can say that the same sets of principles are very much relevant, though they need to be adapted to the present times. One doesn’t have to be in politics to follow his footsteps. We need to accept and understand the current times, and act the way Gandhiji would do today.
Adya Singh (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra

Today the world is burning with communal violence, terrorism, hatred and corruption, and the ONLY way to extinguish this fire is through the principle of ahimsa preached and practised by Mahatma Gandhi.  We are becoming an endangered species because we have become so intolerant and short-tempered that we don’t even think twice before hurting or even killing our fellow beings. Thus, before we become an endangered species, it is imperative that we follow the ideals set by the father of our nation. Pursuit for love, peace and harmony should never become old-fashioned rather more desired and practised.
Chakshu Gururani (16)
St Mary’s Convent College, Nainital

When I read this topic, all the massacres and violence of the past flash through my mind. Gandhiji taught the message of truth and non-violence (ahimsa) at a time when the force of aggression and violence reigned supreme. Mahatma Gandhi who hailed from a middle class orthodox Hindu family of Gujarat, at Rajkot, having received his early education in India, and later qualified as a barrister, taught us what Christ and Buddha had taught long ago. He became immortal in our memory by his teachings and life of peace and non-violence. He believed that there is no god higher than truth.
Divyanshi Jadon (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra

My views on the importance of Gandhian principle of non-violence today are based on the idea that non-violence was at the core of Mahatma Gandhi’s political thought. But he confesses that non-violence or ahimsa was not his inborn virtue. Non-violence was gradually integrated with his philosophy of life. According to Gandhi, non-violence implies utmost selflessness and the one who practises it is called a ‘Satyagrahi’. He believed that ahimsa lies within truth and truth in ahimsa. If we all follow non-violence there would be no fights and corruption.
Diya Bajaj (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra

The Gandhian principle can never be outdated no matter what people say and believe. In this world of violence and corruption, Gandhi’s philosophy is the only hope that keeps the human race keep going. The teachings of Gandhi may be confined to textbooks today, but still its relevance has not vanished. Violence has never resolved any issue, but only created further conflicts. It’s only the path of ahimsa that can survive all the upheavals and yet emerge strong. War is sometimes justified and sometimes not but the relevance of the Gandhian principle of non-violence has always prevailed.
Kashish Rana (13)
Convent of Jesus and Mary, Shimla

One of Gandhiji’s teachings is Satyagraha. Satya means ‘truth’ and agraha means ‘firmness’. Racial discrimination in South Africa awakened Gandhiji’s social conscience and this led him to coin this word. He not only preached the tenets of Satyagraha, but also acted on them. He showed how these noble principles could be used to transform the world into a better place. As Gandhiji wrote, “Satyagraha is the vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one’s self.” This principle reverses the ‘eye-for-an-eye’ policy which, he says is blind and destructive. It returns good for evil until the evildoer tires of evil.
Satwik Mohan

Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of a peaceful, stable and violence free India. Gandhian principles are still relevant and much of the problems can be tackled by following them. But in this era of supersonic missiles and bombs these principles cannot be blindly pursued. No one will take an insult especially when it comes to national sovereignty. And it’s right because fighting terrorism by non-violence will be an impractical idea. However non-violence can be used to remove the root cause of terrorism. Thus, we need a balanced view of Gandhian principles and follow them in our lives in the best possible way.
Alina Ali
St Anthony’s Jr College, Agra

The Gandhian strategy is a combination of truth, sacrifice, non-violence, selfless service and cooperation. In today’s world very few people walk on the path of Gandhian principles. Today many of us being selfish we try to solve our problems by fighting each other and other wrong ways. According to Gandhiji, we should walk on his way of satyagraha based on non-violence, cooperation, truth and honesty. It may be difficult for us but not impossible.
Samridhi Sharma (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra

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Little did the Gandhi family know that the last baby of Putlibai, born in a dark, windowless, ground floor room of the Gandhi residence in Porbandar, Gujrat, would one day become the strong ray of light that would lead the nation suffering at the hands of the British Rule to its independence.

The man who people adoringly called ‘Bapu’, fought endless legal battles, challenged the British taxes and opposed the mighty British rule was a man who in his childhood was considered as a quiet, shy and nervous child. Mohandas was an avid reader of the stories of Shraavana and Harishchandra. The values of these legendary characters left lasting impressions in the fragile mind of this little boy. His early self-connect to stories based on truth and the spread of love as supreme values can also be seen as the virtues he followed even in his adult years, and throughout his fight for freedom. He led the nation to its independence using philosophies like non-violence, peaceful protests, and self-sacrifice as major weapons in his combat for independence.

Before becoming the legendary hero whose ideologies were followed by a nation of millions, and before being bestowed with the title of the ‘Mahatma’, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a simpleton born to a middle class family. He always reckoned that he was an average man with average abilities.

How did this modest man, born in humble circumstances, with seemingly ordinary abilities portray extraordinary virtues and have millions as followers to his ideologies and philosophies? Perhaps there is something in them that the present generation can learn from even today.

Let’s learn from some of Gandhiji’s famous quotes and understand their relevance and usefulness even in today’s times.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.”
Gandhiji strongly advocated spreading love. His beliefs influenced his thoughts. He unwaveringly encouraged peace and harmony. He taught his followers to follow the path of non-violence, and peaceful negotiations against the very hostile British. He practised the path of Satyagraha and influenced millions to practise it with him, ultimately leading to the defeat of British rule, and bringing in the dawn of independent India.

It is important to not only learn the right values but also to inculcate them in your beliefs. Your thoughts form your habits. Many complain that they do not have much time to accommodate all of their daily activities. Many students turn up late for class; submit their projects, assignments or any other tasks assigned to them late. They are haphazard and disorganized in their daily activities. This occurs because a lot of youngsters are not effective managers of time and they end up wasting too much time with friends, using Facebook, WhatsApp, or on other trivial and insignificant things. They become too focused on a particular activity that leaves them with no time to follow their timetable, or complete a particular task on time.

If you believe you can achieve the right balance between leisure and work. That would make the first step to making your beliefs turn into actions. What you could do is plan your time and day ahead. Make it a habit to always be punctual for every appointment, submission, etc. Being punctual, being disciplined and learning to balance social, college and work life will eventually become a habit, finally leading you to being more productive and making it easier for you to reach any of your life goals.

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