Reflecting on Gandhi's Words: Do You Agree with His View on Fair Pricing?

Hi Archna,

I read this quotation and seriously felt how articulate this person is. Some of us may believe in his philosophies, and some of us may find him unworthy, but the fact remains the same: "You hate him, you love him, but you cannot ignore him." I'm talking about none other than Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This is what I read, which is written by him:

"What is a man if he is not a thief who openly charges as much as he can for the goods he sells."

Don't you think about how right he was?

Cheers

Archna

Simplicity and truth – these were the two weapons that Gandhiji had against the mightiest of the mightiest empires of the world at that time.

And it is out of these two that he was able to enlighten the rest of us poor souls with his amazing clarity and definition of things in simple terms. It is indeed a great thing that the words he spoke half a century ago still hold good in today's world.

Regards,
Samba.

I'd like to add another story:

Mohandas [Mahatma] Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the great Indian statesman and spiritual leader, is noted for his unusual humanity and selflessness, which this story epitomizes. Gandhi was boarding a train one day with a number of companions and followers when his shoe fell from his foot and disappeared in the gap between the train and platform. Unable to retrieve it, he took off his other shoe and threw it down by the first. Responding to the puzzlement of his fellow travelers, Gandhi explained that a poor person who finds a single shoe is no better off - what's really helpful is finding a pair.

Jeroo

Thank you, Samba and Jeroo,

I'm glad that in this busy and westernized world, at least there are few people who want to read about Mahatma Gandhi and his principles. I'm sure if we can pass this information on to the new generation, they will make good use of it. Hope to read more views on this.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi Friends,

The beauty of Mahatma Gandhi lies in his simplicity of communication. He was a lawyer by profession, but his words ignited the minds of millions of Indians to strive towards the lofty goal of Swaraj.

Mahatma Gandhi pointed out that seven things could destroy us. It is noteworthy that all of them are related to social and political conditions. It is also important to observe that the remedy for each of these "deadly sins" lies in an explicit external standard or in principles and laws based on nature, not merely on social values.

The seven things are:

1. Wealth Without Work
2. Pleasure Without Conscience
3. Knowledge Without Character
4. Commerce (Business) Without Morality (Ethics)
5. Science Without Humanity
6. Religion Without Sacrifice
7. Politics Without Principle

On 12th November, Cite Hr Bangalore hosted a meeting where the significance of values was discussed. It is disheartening to note that some CEOs are neglecting values and giving excessive priority to goals.

A study revealed that companies with strong values have consistently maintained their position in the Fortune 500 companies list for the past 30 years.

Values are eternal.

AM

Hey, be content that you not only passed these great examples to your next generation but it is also spread to other communities through sites like these. In a world that is all geared up for the rat race, stories like these hold us back and make us think twice.

Thanks!!

Hi Sanjeev,

I agree with you partially; we do sell our talents, skills, and knowledge. But if we do charity, we do charity. I do it from my heart not to buy good wishes but to GET good wishes. I'm associated with an orphanage house. I take gifts and other items for my little friends almost every Sunday. But do you think I want to buy their good wishes? NO. I want to give them all the love that they could not get due to the fault of their parents and society.

I want to encourage them to live happily, to live with confidence even if they do not know who their parents are. And you don't do these things for charity or to BUY GOOD WISHES.

Regards,
Archna

Hi everybody,
Thanks for reminding us of values. Indeed he is a role model for every one of us.
I would like to add my comment on the quote that Archana started with.
" WHAT IS A MAN IF HE IS NOT A THIEF WHO OPENLY CHARGES AS MUCH AS HE CAN FOR THE GOODS HE SELLS"
I feel this is not possible any more. Please look at this from the economic/market perspective.. the times have changed and the sheer amount of choice available to the consumer today and the competition that is prevailing, making the most of the opportunities available will not allow people charge according to their wish according to the pulse of the market. Opportunity cost of losing a customer is very high in today's market scenario. Remember “Customer is the King”. And the king decides what price he wants to pay.
Regards
Srikanth Ch

Hello Srikanth,

Thank you for your inputs. :) I would love to see India progress the way you have explained. However, there is still a long way to go. Even now, we are purchasing a Bisleri bottle for Rs. 25/- and not raising our voice. We can change the scenario, and only then be treated as a king or queen.

Regards,
Archna

Hi Everybody,

The issue also needs to be viewed in the sociopolitical context. If you have accepted Democratic Capitalism - a free and liberated economy as a reality and are also a party to the process and benefits of the new economic order (or should I say a Westernized Eco Order?) as most of us contributing to this forum (possibly using Microsoft-enabled technology) would be, then the issue of asking for fair returns for goods and services produced ethically as per quality and accepted legal norms should not be an issue. After all, market forces of demand and supply would establish the price!!!

The basic debate ought to be on what should be the sociopolitical order? I look forward to further opinions.

Thanks, Regards, Sanjib.

P.S. With no malice to the revival of Gandhigiri and the spirit of honesty, truth, and courage.

Hi.

A professional in HR should be a role model for others when it comes to values and ethics. An HR professional cannot become successful in the long run if he wants to stand on the platform of dishonesty and unfair practices. The culture of an organization is mostly affected by the HR department. So, ethics and values are very important for the HR fraternity.

It felt good to know that Archana is involved in sharing moments with the orphans. I always like her posts. Now I have got to know something more about her, which persuades me to say - "HATS OFF."

You are right by saying that the values of Gandhiji need to be percolated to the young generation. I am also from the young generation. If not much, I can assure you that there are young people who give importance to these values.

Values given to us by our culture, our forefathers, and our great leaders cannot become extinct. But, of course, these have become endangered species now. Let's try our best to keep good things alive.

Regards,

Ashwini Kumar

Hey Ashwini,

Thanks a lot for all the praise. I'm flying high in the sky. 😉 But truly, spending time with these innocent kids gives you a lot of contentment. It is no great thing; anyone of us can take time out to give love to these kids. 😄 So it's no great thing.

I agree completely that people like you will surely make good use of values and culture, and yes, don't let these things get lost in the concrete jungle and competition. It is we, every single individual, who can make a difference.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi Archana,

That was a great example you have quoted. Why are you so particular about "Bisleri"? Why not some other brand? You still have the choice to exercise.

I also agree with Sanjib when he said that market prices are governed by the forces of the market, specifically demand and supply. There are many other variables that can define and alter the demand-supply equation.

Today, we have to read our society as an economic model. We have followed the socialist and non-capitalist path for quite some time now, and the results are evident to all of us...

Hope Sanjib, all of us understand one of the advantages of democratic capitalism.

Regards,
Srikanth Ch

Hello Archna,

Good and thoughtful post. I had a chance to read a few pages of his book "My Experiments with Truth". He set himself as an example by following simplicity, truth, and very importantly, 'non-violence'. He understood very clearly that by using anger, violence, short temper, wrath, nobody can achieve their target fully. Only non-violence will keep you cool, temperate, comfortable, and focused on thoughts and efforts towards the goal. I am sure more people will understand his example of non-violence. Especially the value and commitment of MKG will be useful for HR people, whose main target is to deal with 'human beings' and not 'machines'.

Wishes,
Senthil Raj

Yes, Srikanth,

I agree with you. As I said, the basic debate ought to be on the economic model we adopt. No doubt there are pitfalls of democratic capitalism, but did socialism really provide the answer? Having decided on a free (or quasi-free) market economic model, we have no option but to be dictated by market forces. Of course, the aspect of ethics and honesty can, at no stage, be compromised, and HR professionals definitely have a role to play in pushing and upholding good corporate ethics and governance. I am positive that with the growth of good governance ethics in business will prevail. Government machinery may fail us, but I am sure business enterprises will learn to operate honestly.

(Asking a fair price for a bottle of Bisleri, which a consumer is willingly paying is not dishonest...!!! Yes, not conforming to standards mentioned on the label is dishonesty...)

Here's hoping for ethics and honesty in the workplace.

Regards to all, Sanjib.