When God blessed us with brains, he perhaps wanted a good laugh, for laugh he must when we, in full utilisation of our brainy assests, choose to make difficult even the most simple of things. Now look at the recent 'furore' over Mahatma Gandhi's possesions being auctioned. A multidollar question ''would the Mahatma have approved of the expenditure on his possesions?'' but of course not, he wouldn't have. He believed in ideals not possesions but then dear friends, there is a difference between a great man placing himself on a pedestal and we, his followers doing the same. While the former would be vanity the latter is inspiration.
Also it is important to remember that striking a balance between what we think is right, and what the world thinks is right is of upmost importance. We live in a society, in a world, and cannot ignore its expectations from us. To let go of the mahama's possesions would perhaps be right ideologically but is it not completely opposed to what is expected of us by this world which is, as it is, viewing India's rise with sceptisicm. Are we once again ready to let go of our heritage simpy because we are too confused with ideologies, only to start claiming that heritage back once the West starts patenting it as theirs? The money for the possesions did not go from funds allocated for some development initiative. They were a gift to the nation from somebody who could afford that gift. A better gift than being spent by politicians on their birthdays!!
I viewed the results of the auction with a deep sense of satisfaction. We did strike a balance after all. Balance between world expectations of us as a nation and righteousness. We were capable enough as a rising nation to claim something that was special to us. That one is for the World, 'duniyadaari' as we might say in India. To give it back to the nation without asking a price for it, thats for righteousness. Mahatma, I think would have approved after all.
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