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would strengthen the foundations of durable progress and peace for all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, ethnicity or economic status.
During India's freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi had raised the slogan of self-reliance through Swadeshi movement along with Satyagraha for freedom from colonial bondage. The Salt Satyagraha, the giving up of the use of foreign goods, the movement against untouchability, the promotion of Khadi and emancipation of were all integral part of Gandhiji's strategy for socio-economic upliftment of the masses. Gandhiji's nonviolent movement both against the British as well as against economic backwardness was at all times positively oriented and had no negative undertones. The same attitude of equanimity is reflected in the Ahimsa Yatra of Mahapragyaji. The avowed objective is to build an India in which the benefits of progress reach all sections of the society. Only then would the country be able to proceed towards all-round development and progress with assured confidence and hope.
A generational change is sweeping India today. Over 54 percent of the population is under 25 years of age. For this emerging young India, we need to bid farewell to outdated and hollow concepts and practices which breathe economic exploitation and discrimination, mutual hatred and intolerance and stubborn resistance to peaceful and cooperative co-existence.
Ahimsa Yatra is spreading the message of grasping the essence of insa and translating into improved ethical behaviour towards at large. Mahapragyaji does not subscribe to the recipe of lecturing. He is endeavouring to build an environment, which would help the deprived sections of the community to get adequate opportunities for their socioeconomic betterment. Spiritual renaissance cannot come on empty stomachs and ill-clad bodies. Hence, there is this emphasis on creating appropriate employment opportunities for the poor in rural as well as urban areas.
The call of Ahimsa Yatra is change of mindset, change of attitude and change of heart. It provides a wide-open perspective for the
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner ★ (248)
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