Gandhi, Nehru And Globalization

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Harish K. Thakur, a renowned Indo- Anglican and Hindi poet, critic, storywriter and essayist is currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science in Government College Theog, Shimla. He is also Editor of a literary journal Conifers Call: Shimla Journal of Poetry and Criticism; Executive Editor of Kafta Intercontinental, a journal published from Chandigarh; and Associate Editor of Asia Pacific Panorama, a Journal of Political Science published from New Delhi. Mr. Thakur has so far authored six books in poetry i.e., Candle in the Storm: 1999; In the Kingdom of the Dead: 1999; The Sun Lyre: 2001; Confessions: 2002; Silent FlowsDanube 2008 and Raat Ki Qalam Se : 2007.

Two more poetry volumes are in press. He has also authored two volumes in politics entitled Alienation and Integration in Jammu & Kashmir: 2000 and Globalization and Human Rights: 2007. Mr. Thakur has written more than 60 research papers, review articles and essays for different edited volumes and journals.

The duo of Gandhi and Nehru has been at the core of contemporary Indian political thought. While the ideology, morals and values of nationalism nurtured by the two remain at the centre of the major political organizations the challenges posed by the latest surge of globalization and the consequent aftermath has splintered the compactness of the traditional view. However, the ecological disaster, cultural retrogression, social alienation, human rights, growing economic disparities, and the current economic depression are the challenges which need to be observed through a distinct perspective. The thought and the vision of Gandhi and Nehru can be significantly useful in managing the affairs. While the need of local industry, swadeshi and the proper management of labour has been seriously felt the role of planned development is equally significant. The current volume presents a series of paper regarding the relevance of Gandhi and Nehru in the globalized era. Scholars from different disciplines have contributed the papers and it is hoped that the volume would be a significant addition to the field.

In the globalized era the voices that feel gravely estranged belong to all the hues except the capitalist mercantilist cult. The advent of the cyber-revolution and the consequent contraction of the world into communication-miniscule leaves multiple of life-strands uprooted and to be swept by the wind of uncertainty. In such a scenario there has emerged an urgent need to reread the history and grapple with the factors and forces which have triggered the current phase of events.

The onslaughts of globalization have not only marginalized and enfeebled the liberalist, socialist, and the nationalist forces in India but also the humanitarian schools of thought which largely designed the national political structures and policies and set the ideals of just and humane order. Here arises the exigency to rekindle the flames of the thought and vision of the duo of Gandhi and Nehru, the perennial source of inspiration and light.

The ostensible line of difference between the ideas of Gandhi and Nehru wanes into the eternity of the stream of humanism. The spirituality of the two comprised the finest expression of love, peace, fraternity and humanism. Whereas Gandhi construed a loose federation of local self-dependent autonomous units with least scope for capital and power regimentation. Nehru conceived a more vigorous power structure and planned economy to establish a just and egalitarian society. The mindscapes of the two perceived the issues of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, economic development, and political instability alike but with distinct designs engineered into the realm of a just and virtuous society.

The current volume offers a humble dedication to the thought and vision of the two with special emphasis over the significance and relevance of their ideas in the globalized world of the day. In all there are fourteen papers presented by academicians and scholars from different disciplines and this makes the volume richer by all means.

Here I would like to express my thanks to all the contributors of the volume for sparing their precious time and contribute papers. My special thanks are due to Prof. Rajinder S. Chauhan (Chairman, Department of Political Science, HPU Shimla), the incessant source of inspiration and energy to carry out such endeavours. I would also thank Prof. Jai Narain Sharma, Dr. Mohammed Khalid, and Prof. Narinder K. Gupta for being ever benevolent to my calls.

**Contents and Sample Pages**