What did Mahatma Gandhi really mean by Non Violence?

To commit an injustice is a sin, 

         but to tolerate injustice is also a sin.

                - Guru Gobind Singh ji

Ahimsa or non violence does not mean 'to do nothing'. It means not to not actively cause harm to others and to creation.

What Mahatma Gandhi ji advised the First Soldier of India?

In early 1947, India was rushing towards its date with freedom from British rule. However there loomed on the horizon a very dangerous storm of the threat of partition of India because of the differences between the two main egoistic leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohamad Ali Jinnah.

Wiser counsel tried their best to prevent the partition. Amongst the sane, was the first soldier of India, Major General Cariappa, who suggested that Nehru and Jinnah  should sit down together and find an amicable solution to avoid partition.

Surprisingly, this suggestion was immediately condemned by Mahatma Gandhi in 'The Harijan', who frowned upon upon the expression of political views by a military man.

Gen Cariappa went to meet Gandhi ji. 

After some polite conversation the General came to the point. "Gandhi ji, I cannot do my duty well by my country If I concentrate only on telling my troops of non-violence all the time, subordinating their main task of preparing themselves efficiently to be good soldiers. So I ask you, please, to give me the child's guide to knowledge. Tell me please, how I can put this over, that is, the spirit of non-violence to the troops without endangering their sense of duty to protect themselves and the nation."

Gandhi ji, replied, "I myself am groping in the dark for the answer.  I will find it  someday and give you the answer."

The apostle of non-violence had no answer to give the first soldier of India. Gandhi ji, concluded that everyone must do their duty and to serve and to protect your country is the solemn duty of everyone, but more so that of the soldier.

Gandhi ji, was the first person to bless Brig. LP Sen before he left for Srinagar in Kashmir on his mission to repel the invading Pakistani forces.  

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Unfortunately India for long has been led mostly by small minded self serving leaders. Many leaders civilian and military lacking in spine and intelligence have conveniently twisted the words of Gurus, Mahatmas, and former military leaders to do precious little to protect the interests of India and her people.

If we have bad leaders, it is because we have voted them to be there. 

Let us imbibe the true spirit of liberty with dignity and prosperity. To become a great and responsible nation, who none other should fear unless they wish to deliberately cause India harm.

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The quotes of Mahatma Gandhi and Gen. Cariappa were taken from the book '**Mahatma Gandhi: The last phase**' written by Pyarelal Nayyar

Pyarelal Nayyar (1899–1982) was a ver active freedom fighter and the personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi in his later years.

As a teacher, I learnt from ....

I have learnt much from my teachers, still more from my colleagues, but from my pupils more than from all of them.

- Hillel

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Great institutions are founded by exceptional leaders. 

Coincidentally all exceptional leaders are not only exceptional students but also great teachers. Why is this so?

The reasons could be several, but the greatest is the learning that teaching facilitates. This happens in three stages. First when they are taught, secondly when its is practiced and thirdly when they teach it.

This is why genuine teachers are revered and held in esteem greater than those afforded to  rulers, governments and even parents. When teaching becomes just a job or a chore one takes up for subsistence or making money the spark and energy that knowledge provides is lost. It also becomes a drudgery for the student who have to simply endure the fake teacher. They therefore  absorb little nothing, grow angry and restless. Worse is that they begin to despise the teacher, the subject and the institution.

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Woodcutter, sage, religious leader and scholar Hillel (110 BC - 10 AD) is one of the most important figures in Jewish history. Associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud. 

Hillel the Elder teaching a man the meaning of the whole Torah 

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers

       - Alfred Tenyson

I visited the Universal Business School (UBS) in Karjat (near Mumbai, India) several times. An impressive and wonderful feature at UBS is called, 'The Wisdom School'. UBS is probably the only managerial and business school in India which seeks to amplify and stimulate human goodness.

In addition to producing some good potential business managers UBS also strives to evolve good human beings and leaders.

Usually students and parents too often are focussed only on facts and figures, tools and techniques seeking to get knowledge. The grades and mark sheets are all that matter to them and to potential employers. Alas if more of them also sought wisdom.

UBS have not yet got there but they believe that in addition to the knowledge they impart, they must help their students to become wise.

Mr. Gurdip Anand the main founder of UBS, sought my opinion on what I felt would help the students be wise. That really stumped me and I needed to think long and hard and search for an answer. 

No doubt many of our education institutions provide knowledge but that is wholly inadequate. Knowledge increases our ability to act. However mere actions without wisdom often causes suffering and degradation of individuals,  society and nature.  

The ability to apply knowledge, understanding experience, insight, and common sense for the benefit of oneself, for others and for creation, is called wisdom.

Good education should teach the person,

• To discover oneself and realise one's potential
• How to be in harmony with oneself?
• To enjoy life by being true to oneself.
• To be friends with the world.
• To continuously learn, un-learn and re-learn?
• Respect for oneself, others and creation in general.
• To be compassionate
• Tolerance
• To be healthy?
• Enjoy art, creativity and to be innovative?
• The true meaning of responsibilities and rights and their judicious application 

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"The more I see, the more I learn.

The more I learn, the more I know.

The more I know, the more I realise.

The more I realise, I learn how little I know."

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If you wish to know more about Universal Business school you may contact 

Brigadier GPS Cheema

Chief mentor of UBS Wisdom School 

email:      gpscheema@yahoo.com

Mobile:   +91 787 587 0837