Mahatma Gandhi and Rotary

As we remember Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday, I remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who wrote: "Gandhi was inevitable. 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 Gandhi at our own risk."

Indeed, 'we may ignore Gandhi at our own risk'. His message of non-violence, ethics, peace, and service are well known and these are some of the issues that are so close to our heart in Rotary.

Gandhi knew Rotary, and had met many Rotarians and also spoken at some of the Rotary programs. Gandhi wrote an article, "My 7 points for a new world order", which appeared in the February 1942 issue of The Rotarian magazine. That article was included in The Rotarian Reader, published in 1986, which contains the most precious articles published in Rotarian magazines during the first 75 years of its publication (1911-1986). Gandhi's picture appeared on the Cover Page of the book.

And there is a remarkable similarity in the ways that Rotary's 4 Way Test and Gandhi's Satyagraha were conceived and applied; as well as between Rotary's Motto of Service Above Self and Gandhi's Mission in life of Helping the Helpless.

Let's continue to 'Make Dreams Real' for the humanity at large, for the world we live in, and for our children...in true Gandhian way...in true Rotary way.