Gandhi was a wonderful economist, Is it true?’ Elaborate your views in reference to the Autobiography.

“Gandhi as a wonderful economist”

Q: - 3 Gandhi was a wonderful economist, Is it true?’ Elaborate your views in reference to the Autobiography. OR

What are Gandhi’s views on economics, agriculture in industry and industry over all? – Explain them.

          Gandhian philosophy is blended with economic views. It is surprising he is not a professional economist, yet his practice, thinking and own life-style is of spirituality, he found welfare of people through practice of truth and Ahimsha. Success of economic thoughts of Gandhi denied on it. Truth is social, political matter govern the life so they should be kept in mind. Gandhi moved to various places of Africa and India and was moved by ignorance and idleness. These are evils which spoil the lives of thousand of people. Add to this is problem of population. To solve these problems he gave many solutions. Living, home industry, rural industry, educated political awareness, sources-resources, following Brahmacharya were some other means remove the poverty and bring prosperity happiness.

Factories:-

          ‘Gandhi was against industry’ is common belief which isn’t true. Industry good but where hands are few. To remove the labour it was necessary but not few the removal of labourers. In idleness word is required. In largely populated country. India required work. Industries came and begun to ruin people. Industrialization became a source of exploitation of labourers and villagers. Raw material – coal, oil and metals were dug out. Wasting of these important sources would enhance our speed towards destruction. Industrialization also brought unemployment to many people. Hands that were working brought idleness and slavery. Cities grew. People left villager. Imbalance was created. The hands should be utilized but they met poverty. IF every individual is benefited, then it is favourable and should be advocated.

Capitalism and Labour:-

          These are extreme ends. Industrialization helped a few and pained many. Two groups came into existence. Gandhi was against capitalism. They earn a lot and spend a little which generates vicious circle of ‘Have & not Haves.’ To remove this idea of trusteeship and equal distribution came to him. Accumulation of wealth is a sin, according to him. The rich should utilize the wealth for wealth of society. If they don’t do this then Gandhi tells that the poor should use the weapon of non cooperation. The labourers work. That’s why they earn money. Without the help of the poor it would be impossible. The rich should know that ‘labour is power’. Gandhi thought an ideal condition where both will enjoy the life. Inequality should be removed and economic independence should be encouraged so that there’s no problem of exploitation or hardships. Through this the rich and the labour would reach to equal status. They would be complementary to each other. Social order, moral order because  of economic equality would bring welfare of all. To bring this labour should be organized and the capitalist must understand the value of human beings.

Rise of Everybody Sarvodaya:-

          The idea of everybody’s rise came from John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last’. The Book deeply influenced Gandhi. The book and the Gandhi advocated that everybody should work and should common wage. This will bring equality in economic status and push forward welfare. To execute the same he established Phonex Farm in Durban, Tolstoy Farm in Johannesburg and in India Sabarmati Ashram. On these places he insisted simple ‘living and earning’ bread labour. Each one has to do enough labour so that to meet necessities. Physical labour is required as it gives independence. Depending on other means leading oneself to work. Thus work and simple living definitely would be foundations for the rise of everybody.

Brahmacharya; To Check Population:-

                    “Brahmacharya” is another example of Gandhi’s spiritual life. For him it means ‘control of desires’. It is a moral restraint. In the beginning it was limited for not having more children but it was artificial. Later he found it as the protection of body the mind and the protection of body, the mind and the soul. He told that once it was realized. Gandhi wrote ‘to believe that the sexual act is independent function necessary like sleeping or eating is height of ignorance.”

Village Industry:-

          Industrialization was a great blow to agricultural and villages. Thousands of fertile agricultural land areas were absorbed by Industrialization. Village was a great source of employment. Gandhi considered a village as an independent and complete public state.

          Family is backbone of country life. Many villagers and educated villagers began to go to cities leaving villages. Cities grew and bred many evils. To escape from the village breakings he insisted on ‘swaraj’ and ‘local production’. The latter one brings independence. The needs are met there. This leads progress of a village. Many problems would come to an end.

‘Swadeshi’ movement & Rural Craft:-

          To revive villagers and to achieve independence ‘swadeshi’ movement was the need. It brings self reliance and self sufficiency. Actually the city depends on many rural skills and the villagers are exploited. If this is stopped the villagers would acquire independence. In a village there are carpenters, farmers, blacksmith, cobbler, barber, weaver, spinner, potter and many more. They produce and sell the articles. Market is dependent upon them. Gandhi encouraged these people.

          This also helped ‘swadeshi’ movement. English India resources were used but production in England returned to India. So India gained nothing. To stop this Indian made things was a weapon. It leads love for country and economic growth of the nation.

Use of Khadi:-

          Khadi is one of the rural skills. As unemployment prevailed, weaving of Khadi but within a short time it spread all over century. It became symbol of unity and humanity. Equally and economic freedom both remained at it’s base. When he returned from South Africa in 1915, he begun to search handlooms. At Sabarmati Ashram this work was done finally. Clothe pieces begun to be woven. IT became a tool to remove mill cloth. The downtrodden not only got clothes to put on but also money for the production. Many houses started their earning, when machinery became dominant and eating rural economy, this Khadi weaving turned a strong response to it. What a fantastic idea Gandhi gave to the contempory economic position!

Example of Economic Practices:-

          Many Ashrams are the examples of his Economic principles of his Economic principles and practices. He himself wove Khadi, laboured hard and led simple life following ‘Brahmacharya’. Inequality and cruel labour prevailed in Champaran. The farmers were exploited. Gandhi used his weapon of Ahimsa for economic justice and ‘tinkathiya’ system was removed.  Then followed other agitations like Bardoli Satyagraha and Ahmedabad Mill workers Agitation.

          Thus the views related economics, really farsighted and vita. They brought welfare of the people in real sense.