– Dr Sameena Kausar
I treasure the nostalgic school days, especially every 2nd October when excitement filled the air. During those times, we prepared speeches about Bapu, sketched his image, and vowed to follow his path in life. Those moments marked the start of my connection with Bapu’s life. I often pondered what grants a man such resilience and conviction that he stands firm like an unshakeable force in front of mountains.
Bapu, affectionately embraced by thousands, was more than just a leader – he was a guiding light illuminating the path of paternal love for the nation. His boundless compassion and heartfelt concern painted a portrait of nurturing kindness that transcended words. When a father’s voice falls silent, what echoes remain for his children? The virtues Bapu imparted – non-violence, ahimsa, love, and compassion – continue to resound. These timeless values lay the resilient foundation upon which a family can blossom and thrive. Any institution built on such principles becomes a bastion, resilient against the storms of internal doubt or external adversity.
I imagine Bapu wandering through the bustling streets of modern India, his cane tapping softly against the pavement. A shadow of sorrow clouds his face, like a hidden storm. Stepping closer with reverence, I whisper, “Bapu, is there something I can do to help you?” His eyes well up with tears, glistening like tiny stars, as he gently dabs at them with his pristine white cloth. The contrast between his timeless serenity and the vibrant chaos around him amplifies the depth of his silent pain.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission, was launched on October 2, 2014, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant milestone on the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. This initiative isn’t just a programme; it’s a call for change – a passionate movement beckoning India to become a land where every breath is pure and every space is healthy. To truly transform into a nation of health and hygiene, such efforts must become the heartbeat of everyday life, painting a new image of India – one that is clean, vibrant, and full of promise.
As the days pass, I notice Bapu’s image gradually fading from the nation’s memory, replaced by images of children more absorbed in sweeping with Jhadu than in honouring their beloved leader. Meanwhile, some authorities have shifted their focus from remembrance to capturing moments of cleaning – snapshots of trash being gathered, streets being scrubbed – and sharing them as symbols of change.
Cleaning is indeed a noble act, but on a day when we honour a man known worldwide as an icon of peace, wouldn’t it be more meaningful to dedicate October 2nd to Peace, Love, and Non-Violence? Perhaps all other days could then be celebrated as dedicated to Swachhta – a continuous journey of cleanliness and harmony. India needs more of the same moments, but not just people posing and sweeping with a broom, rather people talking about peace, harmony, and ahimsa. We do need awareness, but not as much as the vision Bapu shared. Why limit the opportunities of this special day? When Bapu himself didn’t restrict his devotion to the country’s freedom, why should we limit the lessons to be learned today? Why should only one virtue of Bapu make it to Instagram stories and political banners? Why not embrace the entire lesson of Ahimsa and Shanti, which includes cleanliness and Swachhta as well?
On this important day – the birth anniversary of our Father of the Nation, who dedicated his life to the country’s freedom and imparted endless values – what do we owe him?
Today must be the day we pause and tremble at the memory of Bapu – silent, tears brimming in his eyes as he clutches newspapers bearing news of violence and hatred that stain our beloved land. His heart, a bleeding wound, mourns the India dulled by blood and bitterness. Today, we are called to remember how hatred has seeped into our very doors and souls, so overpowering that a child’s innocent faith becomes a death sentence. Let’s raise banners and symbols of tolerance and brotherhood – these are not mere emblems but lifelines that safeguard our rights and, more importantly, have the power to heal the wounds in our hearts, to gently sweep away the dust of hatred, and to ignite the light of compassion within us all.
[The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Arabic, MANUU, Hyderabad. Email: drsamtabish@gmail.com]
