Fredy Bodmer
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter 10 days in Delhi, one month in Tamil Nadu, short spells in Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata my wife and I have come to the salubrious Sechϋ-Zubza, near Kohima,for some weeks to meet people in this region for the fith time.
Nagaland striving for unity and India’s election battle are the talk of everyone and fill the newspapers and TV channels.
The two articles below, about Italy are a guide and challenge of the most urgent needed values for Europe and the world facing grave economical (high unemployment), financial and political (Crimea) turmoil too.Election also means examination not only of the candidates, their motives and deeds, but also our own. “Do I walk the Talk”, as Mahatma Gandhi would say, him not striving for politics but serving selflessly the masses. Gandhi lived by the guidance of the “Inner Voice” correcting and directing him on the path of nonviolence and truth. Not only Nelson Mandela, the recently demised great statesman of South Africa was an exemplary follower of these values, so is Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma and of Rajagopalachari. Together with other sound leaders, men and women in India, he may fulfill MG’s vision come true.
That these values are alive in Italy has changed my attitude towards our neighbouring country. We Swiss often feel superior, but are in the same boat to examine where we are heading to.
The spiritual values that brought growth to nations have always come from the East. I am deeply, deeply grateful to India’s Soul, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama and the faith and courage of Daw Aung San Sue Kyi.
Passing an Italian College with the name “GANDHI” I dropped in on the Director to find out how come. He was surprised and enquired why I, a foreigner was interested. So I told him of our longstanding (Monika longer than me, Fredy) connection with Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma and many other friends in India, including the SIMC.
He was thrilled and in typical Italian, lively manner told me that all the different Italian Colleges in Merano got united under this one name “GANDHI” with the theme: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Out of 3 propositions, an Italian Writer and Poet, a radical South Tyrol Nationalist and Gandhi, the Mahatma was chosen by the parent-, student- and College-Council. Director Aliprandini said, that the problems with individual students and families, the political mounting tensions between the Italian and German language groups and the economic turmoil in Europe, he was doubly happy to have the Mahatma as an extraordinary example from outside our continent. It’s of great help and inspiration to me as well as a challenge for the college, students and staff, he said.
Leaving he thanked me for the spontaneous visit and said that it made his day, apparently it did not start so well. He asked me to keep in touch.
He told me that beginning of next year, dates still to be fixed, he’s arranging a major event on the theme Gandhi, and other great Asian people (Dalai Lama), inviting specialists on Asia from other parts in Italy. He asked me to be there too.
The longer our exchange went on the more enthusiastic he became and “warmed up”, and after a delicious espresso he said “I am Riccardo” to which I answered: “I am Alfredo”. Two happy men, friends bid farewell.
Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma and longstanding friend was delighted with these news.
Renato Accorinti has been mayor of Messina since June 24, 2013. He is a Vegetarian and Buddhist and has met twice with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his office is also hanging a large picture of Mahatma Gandhi. Accorinti lives to Gandhi’s principals of Truth and Nonviolence. A huge task in the Mafia contaminated city. He always walks barefoot and moves around on bicycle.
He is a physical education teacher, not a party politician, and he campaigned as part of a citizens’ movement called “Let us change Messina from the bottom up.” Celebrating his election win he wore a T-shirt “free tibet”.
His first official act as Mayor was to remove the glass-barrier which barred the access for the public to the municipality offices in the City Hall.
Now that Accorinti has opened Messina’s city hall to the public, families have begun camping out there to complain about the lack of accommodation in the city. He does what he can to offer people help, but it’s impossible to assist them all. As it is, Accorinti works 14 to 16 hours a day and sleeps only two to three hours.
Anyone who accompanies him is astonished by his stamina, and by the southern Italians’ newfound enthusiasm for politics. Messina is plagued with unemployment, poverty and organized crime. The city with 250’000 inhabitants has a budget shortfall of €600 million ($812 million). Messina is the stronghold of the Mafia.
The new mayor of Messina is a man of the people. The tireless nonpartisan is known to go barefoot through the city. And in the land of Berlusconi and the Mafia, he is fighting against corruption, organized crime and widespread disenchantment with politics.
The writer can be reached
at fremobod@sunrise.ch
