Gandhi: 5 Values I Want My Kids To Learn From Him

Today’s kids realize or hear about Gandhiji only when it is a holiday for Gandhi Jayanthi or they observe the 2 minutes of silence on January 30th- Martyrs Day.

One fine day when I was talking to my daughter on the way to the bus stop, I was telling her why schools declare a holiday and why Gandhi Jayanthi holds significance even in today’s times. And then the questions followed.

Mom, who is Gandhiji?

Why do we get a holiday on his birthday?

Will I get a holiday on my birthday too?

Will we get a cake tomorrow or a party to celebrate his birthday?

While I pretended to be involved in all these questions, at the back of my mind I was finding answers to so many questions myself. How do I explain to a preschooler who Gandhiji is? How will the future generations know about Gandhi besides history textbooks and a national holiday?

Is Gandhiji even important to these Gen Y kids? Will his values and principles have any relevance to kids who want instant success? After she boarded her school bus and I was walking back home I was thinking how I hadn’t witnessed the freedom struggle as well, but I still believed in his values and why my daughter should too. I was framing answers in my mind of what to answer to her when she is back from school.

So here is what I want my daughter to know about Gandhiji that I think will be relevant in her times:

1. Self-belief:

Believe in what you do and never change your mind even if no one stands by you. There are myriad options available and so many naysayers but don’t let that stop you. Your conviction is the only thing you need to achieve your dreams and help pull you together when the times are tough.

2. Integrity:

There will be many attractive options that will lure you away but never do things that you will not be proud of or those that you will regret later. Integrity comes from the congruence of thoughts, feelings, words, and actions-when all that you are and do spring from your core values. Gandhiji was one of the greatest examples of integrity we have seen in modern times. And there are many moving stories about his life that demonstrate the power of teaching this character trait by example.

A mother once brought her child to him asking him to tell the young boy not to eat sugar, because it was not good for his diet or his developing teeth. Gandhi replied, “I cannot tell him that. But you may bring him back in a month.” The mother was angry as Gandhi moved on brushing her aside. She had travelled some distance and had expected the mighty leader to support her parenting. But she went home and returned after a month.

Gandhi took the small child’s hands in his own, knelt before him, and tenderly communicated, “Do not eat sugar, my child. It is not good for you.” Then he embraced him and returned the boy to his mother. The mother, grateful but perplexed, queried, “Why didn’t you say that a month ago?” “Well,” said Gandhi, “a month ago, I was still eating sugar. So how do I preach to the young minds?”

3. Respect for all:

I think kids today need to understand this value the most. In a country like India where there is so much social and economic discrimination we definitely need our children to understand that everybody is equal and they all deserve respect. Money isn’t the only factor that gets you respect. Each individual commands respect and it is only fair to give it to them. Remember kids- equality for all.

4. Leadership:

He was by far one of the strongest and most powerful leaders the country has ever seen. Some qualities that are much needed in today’s corporate, social and political environment. A leader with a single vision, clear focus and one who wasn’t crazy for power.

5. Simplicity & Humility:

He won the hearts of citizens and followers with his simplicity. No unnecessary publicity, no glamour, no money play just mutual respect. In spite of being in a position of power, he was humble and kind.

On second thought I think in the generation to come, the Gandhi principles will be more relevant and like Munnabhai says Gandhigiri will be more relevant.

Let holidays not mean only leisure mornings and vacations. Let’s teach our kids why these days are important. The next time your child asks you who that old man on the 500 rupee note is, take some time out and explain what you want your child to know about Gandhi.

Here is a radio spot from #KSPRadio that you need your kids to tune in to help them understand who Gandhiji was and why we respect him so much.