Sunday, November 12, 2006

Gandhi Gangster flick bowls over UN




Lage Raho Munnabhai, a hindi gangster flick which has captured the heart of India bowled over the hearts and minds of the United Nations.


Diplomats, staff and journalists praised the movie which was shown in the United Nations. Bollywood blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai, which resurrected Mahatma Gandhi's ideals through 'Gandhigiri,' has become the first full length Indian movie to be shown in the United Nations, Dag Hammerscjold auditorium.


The movie was shown on Friday evening as a part of the centennial observation of the first Satyagraha (philosophy of nonviolent resistance) launched by Mahatma Gandhi. The movie is being acclaimed for its presentation of Gandhian values of sacrifice, truth and non-violence, and making it more relevant for today's generation who feel these values are highly idealistic and outdated.


The cast of the movie were quick to add “The film is not being screened there for cultural reasons. It’s there because of what it stands for."


Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh commented after seeing a special screening of the movie "It captures Bapu's message about the power of truth and humanism."


A tribute indeed to the Man (Mahatma Gandhi) who is now become a hip, pop icon according to The Washington Post!


Mahatma Gandhi continues to be a voice of sanity in this world of insanity and mindless violence. He was nominated thrice for the Nobel Peace Prize and even shortlisted as the winner in 1948, but he was assassinated and no prize was given out that year. Geir Lundestad, Director, Norwegian Nobel Institute and Secretary, Norwegian Nobel Committee has openly stated in his reflections on the official Nobel Prize website that "With hindsight, most people would probably agree that Mahatma Gandhi - the twentieth century's leading advocate of non-violence - should have been given the Peace Prize."


However the fact no one was given a prize in the year of Gandhi's death, makes it stand out in history for people, to remember Mahatma Gandhi even more. He was a simple man who never wanted power or riches and wrapped himself in a single self spun cloth. Several Nobel Prize winners like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Dalai Lama and many more have mentioned Gandhi as an important influence on their lives and mission for world peace. A constant reminder of his ideals which still influence people who make a difference.


Producer of the movie, Vidhu Vinod Chopra will submit Lage Raho Munna Bhai as an independent entry to the 79th Academy Awards, which will be held sometime in 2007 after receiving tremendous support from world over.


I quote a few lines from the Richard Attenborough movie Gandhi, winner of BAFTA , Golden Globe and 8 Academy Awards. Distinguished American broadcaster, Edward R. Murrow, is shown speaking into a CBS microphone at the funeral procession of Mahatma Gandhi stating the following words:


The object of this massive tribute died as he had always lived – a private man without wealth, without property, without official title or office . . . Mahatma Gandhi was not a commander of great armies nor ruler of vast lands, he could boast no scientific achievements, no artistic gift .


. . .Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom . . .



Pope Pius, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Truman, Chiang Kai-shek, The Foreign Minister of Russia, the President of France . . . are among the millions here and abroad who have lamented his passing. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, "Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind . . ."


. . . a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." And Albert Einstein added, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."


~o~


If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

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