IT ́S NOT TEATIME

One century ago, Mahatma Gandhi used to challenge the Great British Empire. His weapon didn ́t have any bullets; his weapon was full of words, messages, actions, signs, movements, under the invocation of a beautiful motto: “Hug of Truth”.

Tolstoi and Thoreau were behind that idea, although “passive resistance” or “civil disobedience” were not unsuitable for Gandhi's aims. He went so much further. After the First World War, he started his movement of passive resistance invoking the “Hug of Truth”. He shook social order up against the abuse of power and one day the Indians and him, accomplished independence through a non-violent revolution.

Gandhi was called “Mahatma” by an Indian poet. It means “Big Soul” and was given for his kindness and simplicity, even though this nickname annoyed him. Love, tolerance and truth, among others, were his most valuable values. Far from politics, he used to hope that citizens were better human beings; he used to look for the changes with humility and courage, in other words, with values.

I deeply look up to him, his courage when he was locked up; his strength when he was beaten; his willpower when he ́d decide to do hunger strikes. I don ́t know if he was the first, never mind, the important thing is that his thoughts as well as actions are timeless.

In the last couple of years, in my country, there has been a movement called “The Green Tide” against the current Government ́s politics. This Government is strongly punishing lower and middle classes, beating welfare state. Consequently, the citizens are fed up with these politicians. It is time to remind them how a simple man could beat a giant.

It would be desirable to remember him. A world in crisis, a society with a sick soul without values, both need citizens who hug the truth. It is not Tea Time, it is Peaceful Revolution Time.

Pilar Donadeo.