Gandhi is a True Global Citizen

Anurag Sharma

“Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth”. ~Albert Einstein

Twenty years ago, a friend of mine went to Turkey on a business trip. He was sightseeing, when a local asked him about his nationality. The friend mentioned, "India". To his surprise, the Turkish guy asked him where is this country. Apparently, he had never heard about India. 

My friend was unprepared. He never imagined that he was ever going to meet an English speaking gentleman who had no awareness of an ancient, and modern nation called India. The friend paused for a second and said, "Tajmahal...". The local asked, "Who is that?"

The discussion went on moving from Kohinoor diamond, to ancient temples to Indian Ocean, to lord Buddha, but the local had no clue.

Shocked and puzzled his newly discovered inability of introducing his country to a foreigner, my friend asked the native about his interests. 

"English movies", the native responded.

"Have you seen Gandhi?"

"Of course, I remember Gandhi, He is not real, right?"

My friend realized Albert Einstein's words about Gandhi were so true.

I saw Gandhi in Quebec

The day I met Gandhi in Mauritius

Gandhi in Pittsburgh

The world has seen many conquerors, but there has been only one global citizen, named Gandhi.

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Setu October 2021