Once Gandhiji said that ‘non-violence’ means
‘absolute purity’– the ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ purity. He said that our villages
have become penniless. The cities are a bit better. But the people living in
the villages are pushed in the marsh of illiteracy and are left there to
rot. They don’t even get drinking water there. The education of the
villagers was neglected and they were pushed into darkness. The villages are
infested with diseases, which can be prevented. Every village has a number
of quacks and ‘bhagats’ who victimise the poor villagers. We must start
rescuing them by helping them change the habits, which deteriorate the
condition of their mind and body. There is no dearth of people in this
country. But we need effective community efforts. Only then will the
environment not let the undeserving people thrive. The community efforts
would eradicate illiteracy and poverty, which would lead to the development
of a feeling of togetherness.
Thus Gandhiji would advice the villagers
regarding their everyday experiences and would try to convince them about
the power of non-violence. He never thought that any work was important or
ordinary. He emphasised that whatever work a ‘satyagrahi’ performs, whether
personal or of public interest, should be done honestly; and that any of his
jobs, big or small, should reflect truthfulness. Gandhiji used to say that
the small, ordinary things only shaped his life; and that is why he always
emphasised, “Whatever I did can be done by everyone.”