Keonjhar: Even as Gandhisim, a body of ideas that describes the life work and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, is being promoted all over the place, the symbol of his ideology Gandhi cap popularly known as ‘Gandhitopi’ is gradually losing its importance.
Though some political leaders continue to wear these caps selectively, their public service often doesn’t reflect in their activities.
However, octogenarian Kirtan Bihar Sahoo has got a special recognition by wearing the Gandhi cap for the last half decade. He continues to wear a length of dhoti, a kurta and a Gandhitopi and follows the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi even though he often finds himself as the butt of mockery, said Sahoo.
A resident of Rajnagar under Patna block, Sahoo said he had been inspired by freedom fighter Durlabha Mishra to take up the ensemble and follow the ideology. He doesn’t go outside without wearing the cap that he had collected from Maharashtra.
Though he was part of the Congress party and worked for the party, he has now become unwanted, said the Gandhian, adding, the party was meant for the poor and helpless but now it serves only the causes of the rich.
These days people with cars get importance which was not the practice earlier in the party, Sahoo said.
He said he was never interested in holding posts. His main aim was to spread the message of Indian National Congress and explain to people about the philosophy and ideology of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Even as I don’t get any importance in the party these days, it is not possible for me to abandon it,” the aging freedom fighter said.
Recalling past politics, he said the administration during tenure of former Chief Minister Nandini Satpathy was people-friendly.
Sahoo said he won’t forget the warning issued by the Iron Lady to an SP.
“Pack your belongings and vacate your position, the transfer order would follow,” quoting the former CM what she said to the SP, Sahoo recalled.
Similarly, former CM Biju Patnaik also reprimanded a Collector at the circuit house for not helping the public, he added.
He is appalled by the present system of the method of addressing public issues. These days problems are galore but there is no solution, observed the Gandhian.
PNN