Early Times Report
DARHAL, Oct 3: Government Degree College Darhal celebrated Gandhi Jayanti with great enthusiasm and solemnity to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the foremost leaders of India's freedom struggle and a globally recognized advocate of truth, non-violence, peace and human dignity. The programme was organized by the College Cultural and Literary Committee under the able patronage and guidance of the Principal, Prof. Zamir Ahmed Mirza.
The programme aimed to acquaint students with the life, philosophy and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and to encourage them to reflect upon the enduring values of truth, non-violence, peace, tolerance, communal harmony, social justice and responsible citizenship.
The intellectual highlight of the programme was an extended and thought-provoking lecture delivered by Dr. Atta Ul Rehman Malik, HOD, Department of Political Science, GDC Darhal, who explored the life, ideas and enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and their relevance in contemporary society.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Atta Ul Rehman Malik elaborated upon Gandhi's remarkable journey from a young lawyer to one of the most influential leaders of India's freedom struggle. He discussed Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa, truth, self-discipline, simplicity and moral courage explaining how these principles became powerful instruments of political and social transformation.
Dr. Atta Ul Rehman Malik emphasized that Gandhi's contribution to India's freedom struggle cannot be understood merely in terms of political leadership. He presented Gandhi as a leader who sought to connect the struggle for political freedom with social reform, ethical conduct, communal harmony, dignity of labour and the upliftment of marginalized sections of society. He explained how Gandhi transformed the freedom movement into a mass movement by bringing ordinary people, including peasants, workers and women, into the mainstream of the national struggle.
While discussing the concept of Satyagraha, Dr. Malik explained that it was not merely a method of political protest but a broader philosophy rooted in truth, moral courage and non-violent resistance. He highlighted the significance of major movements associated with Gandhi, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement, and placed them within the wider context of India's struggle for independence.
He also elaborated upon Gandhi's philosophy of Ahimsa, emphasizing that non-violence, in Gandhi's understanding, represented moral courage, self-restraint and respect for human dignity rather than weakness. He encouraged students to understand non-violence as a broader social principle capable of promoting dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and constructive resolution of conflicts.
Dr. Malik further highlighted Gandhi's commitment to communal harmony and social equality. He discussed Gandhi's efforts towards Hindu-Muslim unity and his campaigns against untouchability and social discrimination. He also touched upon Gandhi's ideas concerning education, village development, Swadeshi, self-reliance, dignity of labour and ethical public life, explaining their significance in understanding Gandhi as a social and political thinker. |
