Relevance of Gandhian Communication in modern society

In this article, Dr. Challa Krishnaveer Abhishek, professor at Andhra University explains how Gandhi ji has redefined the boundaries of communication. Gandhian Communication is essential and is eternally relevant in order to establish a humane and just society.

New Delhi:The language of hatred and violence divides people, creates fear and its chaotic attribute subsequently engulfs the entire society. Though people were fascinated by violent measures by idolizing extremists, they slowly retorted back to Gandhian rhetoric owing to its supremacy. Conflict might win at the beginning but peace always triumphs at the end. Thus, Gandhian Communication is essential and is eternally relevant in order to establish a humane and a just society.

The Mahatma of the masses, Gandhi has not only inspired India’s freedom struggle but also has redefined the boundaries of communication. May it be spoken or unspoken; his language of communication didn’t always need words to express. He advocated persuasive communication as a tool for unity in diversity which is evident in his quote - “I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.”

Gandhi was a true orator, a genuine speaker and an honest writer whose striking simplicity, scenic sincerity, streaking serenity elevated the verbatim to the heights of his vision. Gandhi had always taken the first steps, may it be through his journalistic writings or through his morality-induced speeches; he let his words guide his people towards the constitution of independence. In a quest to lead his people who were ahead in different paths of non-violence, Gandhi proved that his non-violent pen was mightier than the violent sword that stabbed not just people but the struggle of independence.

His words were the ball bearers of his vision, for they inflicted the urge towards ahimsa, the messiah of mankind. Though he was a shy speaker, he believed that it was his asset as he said – “My hesitancy in speech, which was once an annoyance, is now a pleasure. Its greatest benefit has been that it has taught me the economy of words”.

He wanted to upraise the cry of the unreachable, and his instinct of leadership led him to the boundaries uncrossed through the effective communication that he established through not just his writings of Satyagraha but by spreading the outrage of Swaraj marked by non-violence by word of mouth that he dwindled through his followers.

A listener of his conscience, a listener of the virtues, a listener of his followers, Gandhi was that prism that outshone a diamond through his communiqué radiance. Gandhi was a man of propelling entreaties, which created a sense of peace in his followers whenever they approached his circle of morality.He was a transforming catalyst who sublimed the sufferings of his people directly into their mission.

Spinning yarn, wearing Khadi, marching against the salt law, Gandhi stunned the world by planting his vision into his simplicity through his non-verbal body lingo. It is said that one has to practice before he preaches, but Gandhi didn’t have to preach his doings for his actions echoed to the people and to their sufferings.

His journey as a leader of the struggle for independence had neither the multi-tone speeches nor the mesmerizing words to elite his followers to his vision, what he had was the engraving silence, unruffled fasts, charioting charisma that turned his struggle into a victory, that turned him from being a truth seeker to the truth itself. One might feel that Gandhi who portrayed himself in Khadi is not complimenting to the visualization of a leader, but by observing the insights of the mahatma, one can clearly witness the greatness of his simplicity because Gandhi was always tied and tucked in his vision and was also armed with the weapons of truth and non-violence.

Gandhi believed in firmness of thoughts over outer facade, rather it is to the contrary in the sense he waged a war through this clothing, a war that had no bloodshed but was surely blemished with his rooted thoughts which were weaving the wind for waving the flag of an independent India.

His allure spoke louder than his words in places where his verbatim was not comprehensible. People gathered in thousands to witness his vigor and be part of his vision. His toothless truthful smile had the infinite perseverance of hope which he showered in his vicinity.

It was during the time when light of hope was shattered in the agony of violence, when the Mahatma ceased the destroying smolder of Himsa with his restoring flames of Ahimsa. Silence values every articulated word, for it knows that the resonance of each statement never ends just by completing it.

Gandhi always fought for truth through his well acclaimed Satyagraha without the coveted utterance.I would like to conclude by excerpting Mahatma Gandhi’s imperative outlook on non-verbal communication - “Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”