the gandhi effect

A lot of talk is on abt Gandhigiri ie the gandhiian pholosophy -- especially after the movie Lage Raho Munna bhai. Yes it is a lovely movie and the Gandhiian thought --- Fabulous.

I was shocked to hear the effect that the Gandhiian philosophy had in those days of old -- which is to say around 40- 50 yrs back.
To discourage the purchase of foreign goods in India, Gandhiji started a movement which imbibed the philosophy of Be Indian and Buy Indian.
Khadi cloth which was home spun in India, even with very scarce resources was promoted.

The effect :
Amma ( my mil) in her late teens bought herself a sari or two made of khadi to be a part of the movement. And with a lot of determination even wore those heavy ones as against the usual lovely chiffons. {An aunt of hers wore only khadi saris.}
Reality hit when an attempt was made at washing the sari. It Just cld not be rinsed. The khadi of those days was heavier than the ones found today.

Result : Saris turned into curtains ;)
This enlightenment i got by choosing to chat with her the past few days as against blogging or orkutting.

And a little while from now -- on the 2nd of Jan 2007 we are planning to celebrate her 60th bday and celebrate her lively, strong, indomitable spirit.
She is amazing in her knowledge of the world around her. Especially politics, sports and medicine.

As we were chatting as to the choice of a memoir or a momento for the occassion -- i suggested -- A Plant -- something novel yet nice.
Immediately she said plants and pets wld be considered as good gifts abroad and not in our country.
I said that i had never heard of such a thing and asked her as to the reason of her statement.

She said that she had read such things in MILLS and BOON ;)