Other Articles

GANDHI'S OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP by Pascal Alan Nazareth (SYNOPSIS AND CRITICAL APPRECIATIONS OF THE BOOK)

The last two centuries have been the most blood stained in human history. In the 20th century alone almost a hundred million people have been killed in two world wars, Hitler's gas chambers, the Spanish, Greek and Chinese civil wars, Arab Israeli and India Pakistan wars and the Korean, Vietnamese, Afgan, Angolan and innumerable inter tribal and secessionist wars in various parts of the world. In all these cases war and violence were met with more war and greater violence as if one fire could put out another or a flood by a greater flood ! The first modern leader to challenge this approach and succeed in bringing about major changes in the global political, social and intellectual scenarios without resort to war, violence and the hatreds that gestate them was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely revered as the "Mahatma" (Great Soul). His only weapons for confronting war, violence and hatred were Truth, justice, non violence and love.

Even a cursory survey of the contemporary situation reveals that the most serious problems the world and many nations and corporations face today are related to the simple fact that their leaders departed from the path of Truth and justice adopted that of untruth and inequity. The consequences have been disastrous. War in Iraq, terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Dar esalam, Aden, New York, Washington, Bali, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Rabat and London, and bankruptcies of corporations such as Enron, World Com, Marconi and Parmalat. Even reputed firms like Arthur Andersen and KPMG have been buffeted. It is these developments that have created the present widespread aspiration for truthful, trustworthy and enlightened leaders. 

Innumerable books have been written about Gandhi's Truth and non violence 'Satyagraha' strategy for national liberation and societal change, his "fads", foibles, ascetism and achievements but hardly any about his leadership, its quality and stature, how it was acquired and has impacted on peoples, societies, movements, institutions, academic disciplines and history, and whether it is applicable to the present war, violence and terrorism plagued scenario. It is these aspects of Gandhi's leadership that retired Ambassador of India Pascal Alan Nazareth presents in his extensively researched book 'Gandhi's Outstanding Leadership' which is packed not only with insightful information on all aspects of this topic but also interspersed with rare photographs and depictions of Gandhi's impactful quotations by India's leading artists. Former Prime Minister I.K.Gujral, who released it in New Delhi on March 21st, 2006 described it as "remarkable and enlightening" 

The book was released in Bangalore on March 14th , at Raj Bhavan, by Karnataka Governor T. N. Chaturvedi. Among those who spoke on this occasion were Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India, (who has written the 'Forword' to the book), and Dr. B.V.Srikantan of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. 

In New Delhi the book was released on March 21st, by former Prime Minister of India Dr. I.K.Gujral who described the book as "remarkable and enlightening" and handed over the first book in the release package to Mrs Tara Bhattacharya, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Chairman of the National Gandhi Memorial and Exhibition Trust.

The book was released in Chennai on April 3rd, 2006 by the eminent agricultural scientist Dr. M.S.Swaminathan. 

Raj Mohan Gandhi has commended the book as a "fine and much needed book"; Dr. Glenn Paige, Director, Centre for Global Non Violence, Honolulu has extolled it as a "marvelously instructive contribution to understanding the principles, practices, and significance of Gandhi's leadership for India and the world - past, present and future." 

The book is priced at Rs 200 (plus Rs 50 as forwarding charge id ordered by mail) within India and US$ 10 (which includes the forwarding charge) for overseas orders. All enquiries/orders for this book might be made by email to panazareth@yahoo.com  or by letter/ telephone/Fax to : 

P.A.Nazareth,
Managing Trustee, 
Sarvodaya International Trust, 
Regency Alandon # 3A, 
2 Ware Road, Fraser Town,
Bangalore 560 005, India.
Tel/Fax :91-80-41253517
Mobile : 98458 00056