“Gandhian thought true GDP of India”, The Pioneer, 25 September 2018

This article was published on The Pioneer, here.

During the ‘Sadbhavana Conclave’ held at Gandhi Ashram–the Harijan Sevak Sangh headquarters-in Delhi, Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan said that Gandhian thought was the real GDP of India today.

The meeting commemorated the anniversary of the historic Poona Pact which was firmed up following joint consultation between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar which was followed by the formation of Harijan Sevak Sangh on September 24, 1932.

Presiding over the conclave as the chief guest, Swami Chidanand said, “The real GDP of India is the Gandhian thought. “Gandhiji was of the view that the real change in the world can be brought about if those who champion change truly live the change. This is the culture that we need today, something that blends self-abnegation with social action.

Gandhian thought gives us the true direction and this is all the more relevant today,” he said.

On the occasion, he invited Harijan Sevak Sangh to partner with the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, Ganga Action Parivar and Parmarth Niketan for the Allahabad Kumbh Mela and the celebration of the 150 anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. “Over 150 million people are expected to gather for the mammoth summit which would propagate three core principles espoused by Gandhiji: Safai(cleanliness), Sacchai (truthfulness) and Unchai (high thinking),” he said.