Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040418450300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

On the Mahatma's leadership

Staff Reporter

Book boasts of rare photographs of Gandhi

RELEASED: M.S. Swaminathan (right), chairman of the National Commission of Farmers, holds a copy of `Gandhi's Outstanding Leadership' by Alan Pascal Nazareth (left), at the release of the book here on Monday evening. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: `Gandhi's outstanding leadership', a book by Pascal Alan Nazareth, former diplomat, was released at the Landmark store on Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai here on Monday.

M.S. Swaminathan, chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, handed over the first copy to freedom fighter, Leela Dhiravium. The book was released in Bangalore in March by Karnataka Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi, and in Delhi by former Prime Minister, I.K. Gujral.

Representatives of the Sarvodaya Trust, founded by Mr. Nazareth in 1985 and involved in the promotion of Gandhian values, spoke on the occasion.

Dr. Swaminathan recalled that Mahatma Gandhi's biographer called him "a nuclear infant and an ethical giant." The country was currently aspiring to join the nuclear club, though, he rued. Gandhiji's philosophy has a profound influence on international politics, he said, quoting the example of the abolition of apartheid.

Mr. Nazareth said he wanted to write the book after realising that people in various countries in the higher levels of governance had great reverence for Gandhiji.

Gandhiji `revolutionised revolution' with satyagraha though he began as a timid young lawyer. book explores Gandhiji's relevance, his impact on modern history and the international assessment of Gandhiji's leadership, he said. The book boasts of rare photographs and depictions of Gandhiji's quotations by leading artists.