ISSN: 3048-5940 (Online)

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Editors-in-Chief

Dr. Suman Khanna Aggarwal  & Prof. Gita Dharampal 

(Founder & President, CFN) (Dean of Research, GRF)

Dear Readers

Greetings from GLOBAL GANDHI!

We are pleased to present to you Volume 2, Issue 2: Jan-June 2025,

Swaraj in Health – Gandhi’s Vision of Healing and Wholeness

In an era overshadowed by global pandemics, environmental degradation, widening wealth disparities, and a healthcare system often critiqued for its over-reliance on interventionist medicines, Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of health offers a beacon of hope. Indeed, Gandhi, often celebrated as the Father of the Nation, might also be aptly titled the Doctor of the Nation. His philosophy of holistic well-being, deeply rooted in self-reliance, simplicity, and ethical living, resonates with the needs of our time.

Gandhi’s approach to health transcended conventional paradigms, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions into a harmonious whole. He emphasized self-control, self-discipline, and a profound connection with nature. Through the concept of Swaraj, or self-rule, Gandhi advocated for individual autonomy in health—empowering people to take charge of their well-being. This editorial invites readers to delve into Gandhi’s ideas, as explored by the contributors to this special issue, and to draw lessons for addressing contemporary health challenges.

Gandhi’s Experimentation: The Foundation of His Health Philosophy

Gandhi approached health as an experimental scientist. His hands-on, practical methods were pioneering and courageous, guided by his relentless pursuit of truth. He championed natural remedies like mud therapy, water-cure, and fasting, balancing them with an open-minded willingness to use allopathy when necessary. However, he remained critical of the excessive reliance on pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions, advocating instead for preventive and holistic care.

Swaraj in Health: Autonomy and Locality

Central to Gandhi’s health philosophy was the idea of Swadeshi, or self-reliance, which extended to healthcare. He believed in using locally available resources, transforming every kitchen into a pharmacy. This approach, grounded in simplicity and connection with nature, underscores the relevance of traditional Indian medicine systems like Ayurveda and Unani. However, Gandhi stressed the need for these systems to evolve scientifically, moving away from quackery to credibility.

Holistic Wellness: Beyond the Absence of Disease

For Gandhi, health was more than the absence of illness. It was a state of balance and harmony achieved through ethical living, community responsibility, and spiritual alignment. He viewed diet and nutrition as critical components of health, advocating plant-based, simple diets that nurtured both the body and the spirit. His ashram-based living practices demonstrated the power of collective well-being, emphasizing sanitation, clean water, and preventive measures to combat diseases.

Contributors’ Insights

This issue gathers profound explorations of Gandhi’s health philosophy, offering insights into its timeless relevance:

Dr. Mark Lindley is a distinguished scholar and author whose pioneering work, Gandhi on Health (2019), has become a foundational resource for understanding Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to health and wellness. Beyond this acclaimed book, Dr. Lindley played a pivotal role as a key contributor to the landmark volume Gandhi and Health @ 150, published in 2019, brought out by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). His chapter in this volume, An American View of the Mahatma’s Empiricism, offers a nuanced analysis of Gandhi’s scientific and experimental approach to health, reflecting his hands-on, practical commitment to discovering the truth through lived experience. This insightful piece is available online for readers via the ICMR’s e-book platform (https://www.icmr.gov.in/icmrobject/custom_data/e-books/gandhi-ebook/index.html#p=1) Yet, Dr. Lindley’s meticulous scholarship extends beyond his contributions to this prominent volume itself. He has created an extensive databank (comprising invaluable resource material on matters related to Gandhi and Health) as well as a 52 paged index for Gandhi and Health @ 150, designed to enhance the usability of this landmark publication. Unfortunately, this valuable tool could not be included in the original ICMR volume, hence, it is made accessible here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/13kr5Gh03Wc6_wD_px-QhuhykZumPBNhM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101104524687220573135&rtpof=true&sd=true) with the gracious permission of the author, offering readers a more rewarding and navigable experience. – In this issue (in the section on “Perspectives”), Dr. Lindley’s article, Gandhi on Health: A Comprehensive Sketch (with Quotations), serves as a cornerstone of our exploration of Gandhi’s health philosophy. The piece meticulously compiles Gandhi’s thoughts on a wide array of topics, including health, healthcare, nutrition, and hygiene, each supported by documentary evidence. Through his work, Dr. Lindley offers readers an incisive understanding of the Mahatma’s holistic vision of well-being.

• Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar (former Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat Vidyapeeth and a member of Global Gandhi’s Advisory Board) reflects on Gandhi’s critique of modern medicine and explores how his ideas can address the current healthcare crisis. His analysis of Gandhi’s relevance in today’s context offers a pathway to rethink and reform health systems.
•  Dr Satya Lakshmi Komarraju (Director, National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune) in her article delves into Gandhi’s holistic health framework, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. Her article explores how Gandhi’s practices, from fasting and natural remedies to spiritual alignment, can counter modern health challenges like consumerism and lifestyle diseases.
• Prof. Gita Dharampal examines Gandhi’s politics as an art of healing, connecting his socio-political, moral/spiritual and ecological principles to the broader canvas of societal harmony and the achievement of true Swaraj for India.

Relevance to Today’s Problems

As the world grapples with crises ranging from lifestyle diseases to environmental degradation, Gandhi’s vision offers practical solutions. His emphasis on simplicity and ethical living challenges the excesses of modern consumerism. His belief in self-reliance and natural remedies aligns with the growing interest in sustainable and inclusive healthcare models. Moreover, his holistic approach integrates physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, offering a unified framework for tackling complex health issues.

Gandhi’s preventive health philosophy, prioritizing balance and accessibility, provides a moral compass for contemporary health practices. It invites us to rethink health not as a commodity but as a shared responsibility rooted in community welfare and ecological harmony.

Through this editorial, Suman and I extend a warm invitation to all our readers to continue exploring Gandhi’s enduring legacy. In doing so, we can uncover not only his understanding of health but also actionable solutions to the challenges of our time. Let us take inspiration from his vision and work towards a future where health, autonomy, and harmony are within everyone’s reach.

Season’s greetings and a Happy & Health New Year 2025!

Warm regards from the Editors-in-Chief

Prof. Gita Dharampal & Dr. Suman Khanna Aggarwal