New Delhi: A new book has documented ‘untold’ stories of seven Gandhian activists who have powered social change by working tirelessly and away from the spotlight. While they have won awards and recognitions for their work, their stories have largely remained unreported.
Published by HarperCollins, ‘Being The Change — In the Footsteps of Mahatma’ by Ashutosh Salil and Barkha Mathur will be released on 1 October on Softcover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
The book will also be formally launched on Gandhi Jayanti, to bring stories of those who seemed to have traversed a similar trajectory as Mahatma Gandhi.
Salil is an IAS officer in the Maharashtra cadre, and Mathur an award-winning journalist. Salil is also a Fulbright Scholar and has two degrees in law. The authors travelled across Vidarbha in Maharashtra to listen to the stories of these activists and present them to the world.
Mathur said, “This book is my tribute to the spirit of service of the people we write about and their willingness to bring change in the lives of the underprivileged. The purpose of writing these stories from the ground was to bring forth the stirring work with the hope that it inspires the youth to read and learn the true essence of service as practised by Bapu.”
‘Book a salute to activists’
The authors also said how these Gandhian activists may not have been on the forefront of things or making headlines frequently, but they have an edge and a story that the world needs to hear.
The activists also entail how adopting Gandhi’s way of life can not only be a personally enriching experience but also a valuable service towards the society.
Bringing glimpses from his experiences on the ground, Salil said, “The work done by people profiled in our book…had deeply touched me, especially when I saw the remote locations selected by them and the hardships that come with it. This book is a salute to that courage to be the change and is also an effort to bring forth the fact how ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary tasks if they have the will to do so.”
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