Dear Editor,
In another few hours, we will be observing the 73rd anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the renowned and respected Mahatma. On 30th January 1948, on his way to daily prayers, Nathuran Vinayak Godse, a 36 years old, Hindu extremist shot and killed Gandhi.
The world was shocked as he lived his life proposing non-violence, but violence was used against him. But as we ponder on the irony, there are lessons we need to benefit from:
First: Beware of and be able to identify the extremists in our midst.
Second: We must learn as a people to help ourselves out of all difficulties; people must not expect outsiders to deal with their suffering and discrimination.
Third: Gandhi like Mandela, Martin Luther King (Jnr), Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Fidel Castro, Mao-Tse-tung, Emmeline Pankhurst, etc., was young when he inveighed against the injustices of apartheid. We need young people urgently at this stage of our development.
Fourth: As a people, we must take heed of this profound statement by Gandhi – “I came to the conclusion long ago that all religions were true.”
Fifth: We must never become frustrated and give up the struggle for what is right. At all times, we must judge and deal with people based on their diligence, hard work, study and good character. To the young people I listen to on television, I am happy that many of them are forward thinking and can be considered genuine patriots. Let them keep up their good work.
Sincerely yours,
Hamilton Green
