Who after Mahatma Gandhi?

So, what is on October 2^nd? Pose this question to anyone, be it a kid or an adult, and pat comes the answer. It's a national holiday!!! And if it is probed any further then one might even hear 'dry day' for an answer. Sadly, neither of these answers is right. Well, the correct answer will be 'Gandhi Jayanthi.'

The answers like 'national holiday' and 'dry day', no matter how right they are, stand proof of how much the thinking of an Indian and his value system have deteriorated.

Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday. Gandhi Jayanthi marks the struggle and hard work that was put in by the Father of the Nation and ironically, it has reduced to just a 'holiday' today.

Mahatma Gandhi was a renowned world leader and people all around the globe still remember and respect him. Yet he always maintained a low profile and preferred a simple lifestyle. He always stood for equality and unity. His 'Satyagrah' says how very powerful the so-called common man is.

Cutting short the story to today, the common man is still the same, all powerful. The democracy in India reflects this fact. The common man in India is still strong, determined, confident and courageous. If there is anything he lacks, it is initiation.

The world always believed truth and non-violence were Gandhi's biggest weapons. Even today Indians are very non-violent and peace loving [If Indians were any aggressive, we would not need 13 long years to punish those behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts!!]. If Mahatma really had a weapon then it was his capacity to initiate. How else could he lead a whole nation to freedom?

Today our country is enjoying independence. But gaining this independence was not easy. Yet, someone dared, bothered to take the initiative to start a movement.

Today our country is fast developing. But we all know there is a long way to go. A lot many things have to be done and the end is not near. A lot many things have to be achieved. Nothing is impossible but the road ahead can be travelled only if we step ahead.

India is still 59 years young. India is vibrant, energetic, educated and all rearing to go. If anything India needs, it is a leader who can initiate a movement.

Can you be the one to take THAT first step forward?