મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી,

October 2 is still a red letter day in all Indian calendars, and Gandhi statues outnumber all others to this date. Most school going 5 year olds know who the Father of the nation was, and 2006's biggest Bollywood blockbuster was a film with The Mahatma as its central theme. Research on leadership in Austria and Japan still use M.K Gandhi as a standout case study, and anything bought or sold on this land is using crisp Bapu notes.

So, is Gandhi very much alive in spirit still and are his ideals and vision as vibrant? The obvious and unfortunate answer - NO.

Few people's lives have been as dissected as Gandhi's. And the fact that he made mistakes, had his share (albeit a small number) of flaws and was very much human, to me, adds to the charm. Political historians shoot out questions at some of his actions, but who is to say that Bapu could not have answered all of them? Afterall, in life he was adored by an entire nation he helped build and revered even by antagonists.

In an era when India should be most ashamed of its potholes, police and politicians, the absence of a charismatic people's leader like Gandhi is being felt more than ever before. I may sound idealistic, but if at every stage if we ask ourselves what Bapu would have done to solve this problem, then my guess is we will not be too far away from the 'right' course of action.

In all seriousness, I believe that Bapu - the University of London educated barrister, the crusader activist in South Africa and the man the Indian National Congress looked up to, is the best role model any patriotic and spirited youngster can ever have. M.K Gandhi could have easily opted for a soft career in law and made a fortune. But instead, he decided to battle the tide and ended up changing the fortunes of millions of his countrymen. Or atleast, so he thought.

When, years after his initial struggles, the Mahatma was asked for a message to future generations, his terse reply was : 'My life is my message.'

Really, there is a lot to be learnt from The Father of the Nation for everybody. Especially, for our tomorrow's leaders.............