Some Reflections on Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday

© 2014 Prof. Farok J. Contractor, Rutgers University

I used to have some doubts about the suitability of Mohandas (“Mahatma”) Gandhi (1869–1948) to participate actively in the governance of post-independence India. Some of his ideas would have been antithetical to the development of large-scale industries, where scale is needed for efficiency. Often portrayed spinning his own yarn on a rudimentary village spinning wheel, Gandhi was mocked by some as a Luddite. But I have revised my opinion based on two considerations. … CONTINUED ON ARCHIVE