Gandhigiri

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Gandhigiri is an informal word in Bambaiya Hindi which denotes Gandhism.

1 Etymology
2 Meaning
3 Use in popular culture
4 See also
5 Notes
6 Links

[edit] Etymology

Gandhigiri is a portmanteau of the words Gandhi and Giri; and may be loosely translated as practising what Gandhi preached in informal Bambaiya Hindi. The word "Giri" is a colloquial suffix. X-giri means one action or the set of all actions characteristic of X. Thus, "Dadagiri" means "the actions characteristic of a dada (= bully)", "chamchagiri" means the actions characteristic of a chamcha (=sycophant).

[edit] Meaning

Gandhigiri denotes modifying one's principles and lifestyle reflecting the moral principles of Satya (the Truth), Ahimsa (non-violence), Sahishnuta (Tolerance) and Ekta (Unity) as practised in real life by Mahatma Gandhi. People adopting Ganghigiri solve problems with perseverance, non-violence and tolerance (not having anger or hatred towards the ones you are opposing) rather than with violence. Gandhigiri aims to overcome 'Dadagiri' or 'bullyism' by encouraging people to adopt non-violent and constructive ways to solve a problem.

[edit] Use in popular culture

According to an 09 September 2006 article in The Times of India, the 2006 Bollywood film, Lage Raho Munna Bhai popularised the term Gandhigiri. ^[1] Some, according to The Washington Post, have suggested that this phenomenon could be attributed to the film simplifying Gandhi's "lofty ideals" and conveying them "in contemporary, colloquial language.^[2] Others, according to The Christian Science Monitor, have noted that the appeal of the film lies in the fact that "Gandhi gets his hands dirty. He appears as an apparition only visible to the wayward gangster, counseling him on how to help others deal with everyday problems." ^[3] An 13 October, 2006 article in The Boston Globe, states that this reawakening of an interest in Gandhi through the concept of Gandhigiri has had a positive impact in India and suggests, "What America needs is a film that encourages people to take up Gandhigiri, Kinggiri, or Kennedygiri. If it worked for Bollywood, it could work for Hollywood." ^[4]