Nation ignores Gandhi's wishes
Mahatma Gandhi had felt that too many holidays would ensure that the nation would not prosper. However, nowadays those very wishes are ignored and multiple government holidays have been declared , not to mention the unofficial bandhs.
MAHATMA GANDHI had talked about the importance of a healthy work culture in the Harijan newspaper of 15th October, 1938, emphasising on hard work by the people of the country, for attaining the goal of freedom. He had even declared that if my birthday was taken up as a holiday it would be tantamount to a cognisable offence. However, at present, his ideals and teachings have been left in the wilderness. His followers used his name, teachings and ideals for making wealth and playing politics. In particular, his soul might have felt tremendous pain on the day the government of India declared his birthday, October 2, as a national holiday.
The ruling parties in the country had started distancing themselves from his ideals long ago. Even as they cried for Gandhian philosophy and recalled his ideals at critical times, efforts have been on to underplay his teachings and increase the number of holidays with the objective of making people idle by reducing their work capability. Politicians and trade unionists are equally responsible for this state of affairs. Mere slogans cannot lead the nation on the path of progress. Even those employed in industries and offices have kept with the demand for more holidays in addition to those already sanctioned by the government. What they do not realise is that too many holidays hamper the country's goals of development and prosperity.
The development that our country wishes to achieve is possible only through hard work and foresightedness in planning. Even developed nations ensure increased production by reducing holidays and increasing working hours in order to increase per capita work output. In Indian politics, there is a conspiracy to reduce the work capability of people. Power-hungry politicians with an interest in multinational companies are busy reaping the benefit of this practice. On the other hand, our trade union leaders mislead the workforce over various issues in a bid to keep their leadership relevant.
It is unfortunate that the country's leaders demand more holidays and other benefits instead of encouraging workers to increase production which would also entitle them to more pay. Due to high illiteracy and limited investigation of facts, the exploitation of the workforce continues. The government of India has presently adopted a policy of a five days working week which ultimately leads to delays in disposing work. Also, out of the 365 days in the year, non-working days include 25 national holidays, 104 Sundays and Saturdays, besides provision for 65 privilege leaves and casual and medical leaves. As a result, the worker is entitled to 200 days of holidays in the year.
In addition to these, the State governments also declares local and festival holidays. Moreover, India's unique bandh culture means that several working days are ruined due to various issues and petty matters. The reason these bandhs are successful is that people think of them as extra holidays. It is not enough to pay homage to the Great Soul by putting flowers on his Samadhi from time to time. It is time to follow his ideals and make the country self-sufficient in the fields of agriculture and industries, which can provide work for all and ensure the country's prosperity.
The development that our country wishes to achieve is possible only through hard work and foresightedness in planning. Even developed nations ensure increased production by reducing holidays and increasing working hours in order to increase per capita work output. In Indian politics, there is a conspiracy to reduce the work capability of people. Power-hungry politicians with an interest in multinational companies are busy reaping the benefit of this practice. On the other hand, our trade union leaders mislead the workforce over various issues in a bid to keep their leadership relevant.
It is unfortunate that the country's leaders demand more holidays and other benefits instead of encouraging workers to increase production which would also entitle them to more pay. Due to high illiteracy and limited investigation of facts, the exploitation of the workforce continues. The government of India has presently adopted a policy of a five days working week which ultimately leads to delays in disposing work. Also, out of the 365 days in the year, non-working days include 25 national holidays, 104 Sundays and Saturdays, besides provision for 65 privilege leaves and casual and medical leaves. As a result, the worker is entitled to 200 days of holidays in the year.
In addition to these, the State governments also declares local and festival holidays. Moreover, India's unique bandh culture means that several working days are ruined due to various issues and petty matters. The reason these bandhs are successful is that people think of them as extra holidays. It is not enough to pay homage to the Great Soul by putting flowers on his Samadhi from time to time. It is time to follow his ideals and make the country self-sufficient in the fields of agriculture and industries, which can provide work for all and ensure the country's prosperity.
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