Taking The Gandhian Doctrine of Non-violence To Masses: Ahimsa Rath Continues Its Journey Across Odisha

Bhubaneswar: “If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought, and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk”, Martin Luther King Jr. once said. This statement holds more relevant for the contemporary world. The Gandhian philosophy of Ahimsa or Non-violence is the solution to all problems that the society is facing today. Progress cannot be achieved without peace and progress requires the defeat of those who divide the society on basis of class, caste and religion.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, one of the biggest proponents of Gandhian doctrine of Non-violence and philosophy has been resonantly demanding the incorporation of the word “Ahimsa” in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution at various forums. On the occasion of the 75 years of India’s independence, Naveen flagged off the ‘Ahimsa Rath’ which has been spreading the Gandhian doctrine of non-violence among the cross-sections of the people and commemorating Gandhiji’s special relations with Odisha.

The Ahimsa Rath has become a medium of resurrecting the gandhian values in every nook and corner of the Odisha. In just 19 days of its beginning, the Ahimsa Rat has reached out to more than half of the population of Odisha and has visited 16 districts. Wherever it is going, it is getting a rousing welcome by the local people. Large number of people, particularly the Women Self Help Group Members under the aegis of Mission Shakti, are welcoming the Ahimsa Rath in the villages. The school and college students are also showing exemplary interest in visiting the Ahimsa Rath and learning the Gandhian doctrine through the specially designed audio visual presentations. The four specially designed Ahimsa Raths by the Information and Public Relations Department have brought among the people enthusiasm. The Ahimsa Raths will be on the roads of the state till 2nd October 2022. The keenness of the people to be a part of the historic moment is visible in their active participation with all the programs associated with the visit of the Ahimsa Rath. In many places, the members of Mission Shakti have welcomed the Rath by presenting it with large National Flags. In some places, the members of the Women Self Help Groups have welcomed the Ahimsa Rath by drawing the traditional Jhoti Chita and art. School Children are vehemently participating in the Tiranga Yatra being organized during the visit.

The Ahimsa Rath has recollected the memories of Mahatma Gandhi’s days in Odisha.

Carrying Gandhian philosophy through audio-visuals on wheels, the Ahimsa Rath has so far toured more than half of the State spreading awareness on Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violence and his contribution towards country’s freedom movement.

The Ahimsa Rath has received grand welcome in Puri, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Boudh, Subarnapur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh.

To commemorate the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s first visit to Odisha, the Legislative Assembly on 23 March 2021 had unanimously passed a resolution seeking incorporation of the word “Ahimsa” (non-violence) in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“Ahimsa is the most powerful message given by India to the world. Ahimsa had made our freedom struggle a unique freedom struggle in the entire world. Ahimsa’ is the only path of peace, development and equality”, the Chief Minister had said.

Odisha had a special place in the heart of the Father of the Nation. Mahatma had set foot in Odisha for the first time on 23 March 1921. On 26th March 1921, Gandhiji visited Satyabadi VanaVidyalaya at Sakhigopal, founded by Pandit Gopabandhu. He lauded the open air teaching system of the school and expressed that some of the students of the school were extraordinarily talented. On 27th March, 1921, Gandhiji had visited some of the famine affected areas in Puri district and addressed a women’s meeting in the afternoon.

Gandhiji visited Odisha for the second time on 19th August, 1925 on Utkal Gaurav Madhusudan Das’s invitation and stayed at latter’s house. He visited Utkal Tannery at Chauliaganj, Cuttack, founded by Madhu Babu and discussed on the improvement of its management. Gandhiji had visited Odisha for the third time on December 4-21, 1927 to promote Khadi. He went to several Khadi production centres at different places, including Brahmapur. He also met people of flood-affected areas in Bhadrak district. Creating nationalistic fervour & raising voice against the British rule in India, Gandhiji toured Jharsuguda and Sambalpur during his fourth visit to Odisha on December 22, 1928. He addressed public meetings and listened to the issues that people were facing. He had visited Odisha eight times between 1921 and 1946.

During his visits to Odisha, Mahatma Gandhi had extensively travelled in different parts of the State and interacted with cross sections of the people. He took many Padayatras through which he became very close to the hearts of people of Odisha. His visits created greater awareness about various social issues apart from energizing the Freedom Movement. Inspired by Gandhiji during his visits to Odisha, many women from State including Rama Devi and Sarala Devi took part in freedom struggle and political movements.