Key Takeaways
- Mahatma Gandhi’s thought leadership emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue and women empowerment in achieving national goals.
- Ambassador Mishra highlighted the importance of self-belief and confidence in overcoming obstacles and achieving national goals.
- The Government’s agenda under Prime Minister Modi focuses on women empowerment and gender equity.
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The Indian Embassy in Dublin organised a special event to pay respect and tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2025. On this occasion, Ambassador Mishra highlighted three points about the timeless legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s thought-leadership:
(i) Respectful dialogue with opponents and critics: Even during his life, Mahatma Gandhi, while being admired by the masses in India and abroad, had many fierce critics and ideological opponents. While Gandhiji always remained firm in his own conviction and beliefs, he always displayed due respect and civility in speaking, debating, and interacting with his personal critics.
His example is particularly relevant and worth emulation in today’s India, where polarization and intolerance of difference of views are increasing. India needs to learn from Gandhiji’s approach to respectful dialogue and tolerance.
(ii) Gender sensitivity: Gandhiji firmly believed in inclusion of women in the national efforts for socio-economic transformation as well as struggle for freedom of the country. Mahatma Gandhi had boldly stated, ‘To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man’s superior’.
In the contemporary times, Honourable Prime Minister Modi has made the empowerment of women as the central theme of the Government’s agenda. Women and girls are not just seen as the beneficiaries of the welfare programs but enabled to serve as the agents of change and spearhead ‘women-led development’.
In this context, Ambassador Mishra stressed that the practice of gender equity and women empowerment has to begin from every home and all of us, every Indian has a personal role to play.
(iii) Self-belief: As Gandhiji showed with the example of his own life, it is extremely important for all Indians to have self-pride, pride in the country’s civilizational and cultural heritage and self-confidence in overcoming any impediments and obstacles that may come in our collective determination to make our country Viksit Bharat by 2047. Ambassador Mishra recalled Gandhi’s famous words: ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win’.
The people of India should have faith in the country which remains one of the brightest spots in economic growth, technological innovation and vibrant democracy; there is absolutely no reason to be misled by mischievous disinformation and hurtful, devisive propaganda against India orchestrated by hostile elements within the country and abroad.
