TV Actors share life lessons learnt from Mahatma Gandhi

Jyothi Venkatesh

‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.’ These golden words by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, whom we lovingly call Bapu, teach us the ideal way of life. Known to have inspired many of us by his power to change the world, Mahatma Gandhi has always believed in simple living and high thinking. On Gandhi Jayanti, &TV actors Tanya Abrol (Sub Inspector Surbhi Kaur) and Piyush Sahdev (Police Inspector Rathore) of Mauka-E-Vardaat – Operation Vijay, Sapna Sikarwar (Bimlesh) of Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, Akansha Sharma (Sakina Mirza) of Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai, Sai Ballal (Kundan Agarwal) of Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki and Shubhangi Atre (Angoori Bhabi) of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai remember the Father of our nation and his teachings.

Tanya Abrol, seen as Sub Inspector Surbhi Kaur in &TV’s Mauka-E-Vardaat – Operation Vijay shares, “In school, we read in history about the struggle of satyagraha and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. And the reformation he bought changed lives and has been a great inspiration for many. Bapu, since then, has been my idol, and I have tried to imbibe his values and teachings in my life. Like Bapu, I too believe that love holds the power to move mountains, and I have experienced this not once but multiple times. Also, another aspect I follow is respecting other’s time as I am very particular about punctuality myself. When you learn to respect time, the time respects you.” Sapna Sikarwar, seen as Bimlesh in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan shares, “There are several learnings from Mahatma Gandhi, but the one that stands out is about his views on Ahimsa. To him, it meant not harbouring any uncharitable thought for anyone, including your enemies. I believe that violence can only lead to fights and arguments but will not help solve a problem. But if you understand the issue and try dealing with it with a calm mind, you will come up with a solution. When I came to Mumbai, I realized that this is how I want to deal with things, and it has helped me overcome even the toughest of situations. On Gandhi Jayanti, I urge all of you to try practising Ahimsa as a way of life to become better people and can help one become more compassionate.”

Akansha Sharma, seen as Sakina Mirza in &TV’s Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai, shares, “Mahatma Gandhi has inspired us in ways more than one. There are so many things one can learn from Bapu. The one learning from him that I have imbibed in my life is forgiveness. As rightly said, the act of forgiveness is a virtue of the strong. Relationships take time to build, and only virtues like these make the bond grow thicker. I believe in forgiving others as it gives them a chance to improve and makes us feel lighter.

Everyone must try letting go of the feeling of anger and revenge and cleanse the mind of all negative emotions.” Sai Ballal, seen as Kundan Agarwal in &TV’s Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki, says, “Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan ‘Satyamev Jayate’ has always inspired me to take the path of truth. I believe honesty can win over anything and everything. I always try my best to be honest with people around me, my work, and myself. If ‘Satya’ and ‘Ahimsa’ can drive the Britishers away, it can do many more wonders. On Gandhi Jayanti, let us take a pledge to be honest and truthful and make this world a better place to live in.”

Shubhangi Atre, seen as Angoori Bhabi in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, says, “I have been a supporter of Gandhiji’s swadeshi ideology. In today’s time, I feel the need of the hour to promote our small-scale industries to upscale our economy. The charm of buying things from the local store is entirely different, and you get more authentic and hand-made products.

Whenever I travel to any corner of the country, I visit the local markets and buy things. I strongly believe that Indian industries can grow and overtake any global industry if we support them. On Gandhi Jayanti, I urge everyone to promote and support the Indian goods and help in the growth of Indian industries.”

Piyush Sahdev, seen as Police Inspector Rathore in &TV’s Mauka-E-Vardaat – Operation Vijay, shares, “Mahatma Gandhi has been an example of how dedication and willpower play an important role in accomplishing one’s goals. I have experienced a lot of criticisms at different points in life. But what got me going and kept me strong is learning to stay focused and dedicated towards your life goals.

My health, career, and relationships are my top priorities, and I make it a point to devote an equal amount of time to each of these. Everything takes time and effort, including your relationships. Besides, I believe in treating people with a lot of respect keep at the back of my mind the thought of how I want them to treat me back. These lessons have helped me become a better person.”

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Sneha Namanandi:

In a gentle way you can shake the world.

Vijayendra Kumeria:

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Pranitaa Pandit:

To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.

Ragini Nandwani:

Eijaz Khan:

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.