Both Gandhi and Mao were revolutionary giants. They led their countries from despair to hope. But after their death, both India and China are facing catastrophe in ideological front; in spite of the fact that their ideas stand relevant to the present world. The process of implementation of their thought may vary, but their objectives were same in respect of their concern for the poor and the oppressed. Mao’s concept of dialectics that thrived upon conflict and violence has reached a point of saturation in the shape of nuclear weapons. At this stage, the application of such methods as instruments of revolution may lead to total annihilation. At the other end, the forces of non-violence and non-cooperation which are given to us by Gandhi, are lying dormant. It needs to be organized and activated. Mao’s ideal to eliminate hunger and poverty have to be inducted into the Gandhian technique of revolution. Then only a new strategy of social change may emerge, which can be able to fight out the rampant exploitation and inequalities among human beings that exist all over the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ratan Das
Dr. Ratan Das, eminent Sarvodaya leader, Gandhian scholar and social activist was born in Bangalore in Orissa on 25/05/1929. Completed L.L.B. in 1950 but did not join Bar. Moved away to Koraput in 1951. led the Bhoo-Satyagraha to liberate tribal lands in 1952. Joined Bhoodan Movement of Vinoba in 1953. Participated in Vinoba Padayatra in Orissa with Gopabandhu Chaudhuri. Worked as translator of Vinoba in his second Orissa Padayatra in 1963. Became Convenor of Utkal Shanti Sena Mandal and worked with Jayaprakash Narayan and Nabakrushna Chaudhiri in Shanti Sena Mission on Orissa. Worked as Secretary, Utkal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in 1972 and compiled ten volumes of Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi in Oriya. Became President, Orissa Sarvodaya Parishad in 1976. He has following English Publications to his credit. (1) Cry Within (2) Thirsty Vision (3) Dusts in Heaven (4) Floating life of 21st Century. His biographical publications are: (5) Gandhi in 21st Century (6) Vinoba – The Revolutionary Saint. Awards: (1) International Award for Peace and Temperance for Asia by IOGT, LONDON, 1997. (2) Obtained Ph.D. from International University of Contemporary Studies, Washington. (3) Dadabhai Naroji New Millennium International Award in 2000. (4) Lifetime Achievement Award by United Writers Association in 2000.
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