Introduction
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, we remember Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring legacy of non-violence, truth, and tireless efforts to uplift society through individual responsibility and collective action. Gandhi believed that every small act of goodness, no matter how insignificant it may seem, contributes to the greater good. His life reminds us that change doesn’t always come from grand gestures; even the smallest deeds, when done with sincerity, can dispel the darkness of ignorance. In this spirit, the following poem encourages each of us to take up the torch of knowledge and dispel the shadows of ignorance, one step at a time.
My way of celebrating Gandhi Jayanti is through a poem in English and Hindi presented below:
अनवरत प्रयत्न
सूरज के समान चमक न सको यदि,
तो दीप से हटाओ अंधकार।
कोई कोना अज्ञान का,
किसी कोने के अज्ञान हटा कर
करो कहीं कोई उपकार।
क्या हुआ यदि कोशिश तुम्हारी
न लायी प्रत्याशित रंग?
अपने जैसों को ढूंढ-ढूंढ,
कोशिश करो फिर से संग-संग।
जला मशाल ज्ञान की,
कोई कोना तो करो अज्ञान मुक्त।
परवाह नहीं यदि लगे
अभी भी संसार अंधकार युक्त।
कई कोनों में मशालें
जब जल उठेंगी प्रकाश कर,
संकुचित होता जाएगा अंधकार,
होता जाएगा प्रकाश प्रखर।
वह विरासत ज्ञान की,
जो इस समय लगती है गौण,
उसे जगा पाओगे फिर से,
यदि तुम जैसे कई
तोड़ेंगे मौन।
अकर्मण्यता जड़ है,
और कर्मण्यता है चेतन।
इतना यदि चुके हो जान,
तो करते रहोगे जतन।
दीप प्रज्ज्वलित हो दीप से,
हटे अंधकार, मुक्त हो संसार।
तुम बस अपना कर्म करो,
मत करो सूरज का इंतज़ार।
– विजय कुमार ढींगरा
Relentless Effort
If you cannot shine like the sun,
Then, like a lamp, remove the darkness.
From any corner you can,
Keep dispelling ignorance,
Even if the darkness feels daunting and dense.
What if, despite your efforts,
The world still seems dark?
Seek out others, join hands,
And create trails of bright sparks.
Light the torch of knowledge,
Keep clearing ignorance.
Do not worry if the world
Still seems dark and tense.
When many corners
Are lit by torches of knowledge,
Darkness will be forced to retreat—
Just keep contributing your bit.
The legacy of knowledge,
Which now seems insignificant,
You will revive once again,
And it will make perfect sense.
Idleness represents death,
While action signifies life.
If you understand this,
Effort becomes the obvious choice.
With one lamp lighting another,
Darkness will no longer thrive.
Keep doing your duty—
Don’t wait for the sun to arrive.
– Vijay Kumar Dhingra
Conclusion
In a world where waiting for monumental changes can feel daunting, we must remember that even the smallest actions can also have some impact, if not a profound one. Much like Gandhi’s philosophy of self-reliance and truth, this poem reminds us that we do not need to be the brightest light to make a difference. Each of us has the power to remove ignorance and spread knowledge in our own way. By joining hands and working persistently, we can drive away the darkness that clouds society. Let this Gandhi Jayanti inspire us all to take small steps toward a brighter, more enlightened future, where collective efforts will eventually lead to a profound change.
Inspire Positivity 