ME and Ophelia

THE WORLD AFTER 9/11
Gandhi's hope for humanity

Below is a link to an essay entitled "The World After 9/11" that I found at M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. It is written by Arun Gandhi, the grandson of the late great Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Part of the message it conveys is that life is about giving and helping, not just about amassing and consuming; that it is essential we build community-to-community relationships and build a bond with a community while helping them in whatever way we can. And talks of a "Hope for Humanity Fund" - saving a coin every day to help a community in a Third World country.

Reminds me of a vicar who gave a £5 note to each of the children in his congregation. The children were delighted and couldn't believe their luck. The vicar challenged them to go forth and multiply the cash.

Given the challenge, each decided to spend their £5 note imaginatively. Many got involved making and selling products. Some bought seeds, soil and trays and grew crops. Others bought ingredients for making and selling cakes. One purchased a bucket and cloth and started a cleaning service. They felt motivated and encouraged to see the fruits of their labour. Each returned (bar a few failed ventures) £5 to the vicar and were thrilled at being told to keep their profits.

Arun Gandhi's essay "The World After 9/11" ends with the words:

"This is the only way we can save the world from a violent destruction."
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HOPE FOR HUMANITY

Another essay by Arun Gandhi is a reminder of Gandhi's hope for humanity and his famous words:

"The power of nonviolence lies in empowering the individual to become the change we wish to see in the world."

The essay is entitled "Hope for Humanity - A New Millennium Role For The U.S.?"