I hope that this book by Ambassador Nazareth will contribute in spreading and strengthening the important message that the long-term interests of peoples and countries can be realised through the pursuit of truth and non-violence, and the practice of compassion and humanitarian service.
- HH the Dalai Lama
An ‘apostle of non-violence’ is probably the most popular description of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but is it the most accurate one?
Former ambassador Alan Nazareth, a globally recognised scholar on Gandhian thought, elucidates in this book on how Gandhi was much more than that; how the essence of his ideology was a rare and distinctive combination of truth and non-violence-a pro-active, passionate and path-breaking approach, rather than a passive absence of violence. His biggest contribution, in fact, was to channelise the spirit of self-sacrifice in a revolutionary drawn to violence and convert it into a soul force. This, in turn, led to an unprecedented thought revolution which not only resulted in India's independence but sounded the death knell for European imperialism worldwide on one side and the most significant social reforms on the other-his work in the elimination of Untouchability, feudalism and Indenture system is unparalleled.
Scholarly and thought-provoking, this highly readable book opens new vistas in our understanding of Gandhi, Gandhian thought and its contemporary relevance.
Holding a master’s degree in Economics from Madras University, Alan Nazareth was selected for the Indian Foreign Service in May 1959 and has served in India’s diplomatic missions in Tokyo, Rangoon, Lima, London, Chicago and New York and as India’s High Commissioner to Ghana and Ambassador to Egypt and Mexico with concurrent accreditations to Liberia, Togo, Haute Volta, Guatemala and El Salvador, apart from serving as DG, ICCR.
Since his retirement in May 1994, he has lectured at various universities and institutions including National Defence College New Delhi, National Institute of Advanced Studies and Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore and Stanford, Yale, Columbia and New York Universities, and San Francisco World Affairs Council in USA, Moscow and St Petersberg State Universities in Russia.
His widely acclaimed book Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership has been published in twelve Indian and twenty foreign languages. The Foreword for ten of its European language editions has been written by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
He has been presented the U Thant Peace Award by Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the UN Peace Meditation Group for his ‘Lifetime of World Service’. Among previous recipients of this award are Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
He delivered the keynote addresses on the International Day of Non-violence at the UN in New York in 2012 and at the UN Library in Geneva in 2017.
Email: panazareth@yahoo.com