Majboori Ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi: Why?
“Kyon bhai sahab, aaj car ki jagah bus se travel?” “Kya karein, Mazboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi.”
We use this phrase all the time. Don’t we? If I ask you, “What does Majboori have to do with Mahatma Gandhi?” Most of you would be stumped. Come to think of it, don’t you feel odd that we have coined our Father of the Nation, Mazboori.
In English, Mazboori means obligations, compulsions, and constraints emerging out of sheer helplessness. I asked many people in my office about the origin of the phrase. Noone came close. They were amazed when pointed out that indeed we are calling out father of our nation, helpless.
This brings me to the question, Why? In absence of any concrete definition, there are several explanations floating around. Let’s take them one by one:
Partition Blame
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Gandhi looked helplessly and let the nation get divided. His Mazboori was the worst kept secret. All the decisions he took were under pressure and portrayed sheer helplessness. |
Last Resort
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This is one explanation that paints Gandhi in good light. When all options are over, try Gandhi. When all else failed, he practiced hunger strike, which shook the foundations of an empire. When one is out of money, there is no option but to eat less expensive food and live frugally. |
Overcome
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Gandhi overcame all the Mazboori’s (difficulties) in his life and led India to independence. Thus whenever there is Mazboori, remember Gandhi, you will find the solution. |
Non Violence
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Non Violence is taken to be sign of weakness and helplessness. Gandhi preached and followed non violence, hence the phrase. |
Currency
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Indian currency started having imprint of Mahatma Gandhi. To a poor India, Majboori emanates from money (or lack of it). Thus Mazboori ka naam Paisa aka Mahatma Gandhi. |
Gandhi was Majboori
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To rely on Gandhi was Majboori of all Indians who wanted independence. As there was no one else who could have fought with Britishers and deliver Azaadi. |
Self Destruction
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With the world in shambles and on the verge of self destruction, we have no options but to follow steps of Gandhi to save the world. That’s what Anna Hazaare has shown. |
Expect the Unexpected
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When cornered, people tend to behave unexpectedly. When Gandhi was helpless, with no independence in sight, he turned to innovation. His turned prevalent hunger into a potential Anshan. We all find ways to struggle when turned into a corner. “Necessity is the mother of invention”. |
Just for Kicks
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Since we were kids, we have been asked to name, Father of Our Nation so many times, that it has become our Mazboori to memorize it. |
ArpitGarg's Weblog 
Majboori Ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi
in this sentence “Mahatma Gandhi” means photo of Mahatma Gandhi on the note (currency)
Ajay
November 3, 2014 at 7:44 pm
A very likely explaination
arpitgarg
November 3, 2014 at 8:52 pm
[…] rivers and sharin…This post does a great analysis of the terms and possible reasons behind it. https://arpitgarg.wordpress.com/2…Although, I have never heard my parents and people from their generation (people born in 50s) use […]
India: What are the origins of the Hindi phrase "Majboori Ka Naam Gandhiji"? - Quora
August 27, 2012 at 6:24 am
Thanks for this post. Until today, I used to consider this phrase in a negative manner and did not like anyone using it. Most of the time I have also seen people who do not like Gandhiji, using this phrase, which turned me very much against the phrase.
Thanks again. Long live Gandhiji.
Himanshu
January 10, 2012 at 1:40 am
Yes u r right…the common usage is negative…
arpitgarg
January 10, 2012 at 8:53 am
great words i ever read…. awesome.
vikas
December 2, 2011 at 1:55 pm
thnx Vikas for the kind words
arpitgarg
December 3, 2011 at 11:15 am
I think there is one more point of view for this statement:
As Mahatma Gandhi had become a great problem for Britishers.
Whatever Gandhi ji Stood for, Britishers had to accept the proposals.
So I think Mahatma Gandhi was “Majboori for Britishers.”
Vandematram!
Satya_Ahimsa
October 22, 2011 at 1:41 pm
A nice way to look at it…So true…
arpitgarg
October 23, 2011 at 1:41 am
[…] James Pilant “Kyon bhai sahab, aaj car ki jagah bus se travel?” “Kya karein, Mazboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi.” We use this phrase all the time. Don’t we? If I ask you, “What does Majboori have to do with Mahatma Gandhi?” Most of you would be stumped. Come to think of it, don’t you feel odd that we have coined our Father of the Nation, Mazboori. In English, Mazboori means obligations, compulsions, and constraints emerging out of sheer helplessness. I asked man … Read More […]
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August 26, 2011 at 5:19 am
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Majboori Ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi: Why? | Kids say :
May 12, 2011 at 5:28 am
hi Arpit, great, I tend to vote for Majboori=coins.
Since sincerely believe that the British media marketed Gandhi with all zeal ss accepting that the revolutionaries where beating up the all powerful British army was a little unflattering.
parwatisingari
May 10, 2011 at 7:24 am
Well I have seen the clash of Gandhi-AntiGandhi up close. My Maternal Grandfather was a Ahimsian Freedom fighter whist My Paternal Grandfather was anti-Gandhi practical man. So its hard for me to choose one. Both had their merits
But yes British did have considerable role in gandhi’s rise.
arpitgarg
May 10, 2011 at 12:05 pm
[…] “Kyon bhai sahab, aaj car ki jagah bus se travel?” “Kya karein, Mazboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi.” We use this phrase all the time. Don't we? If I ask you, “What does Majboori have to do with Mahatma Gandhi?” Most of you would be stumped. Come to think of it, don't you feel odd that we have coined our Father of the Nation, Mazboori. In English, Mazboori means obligations, compulsions, and constraints emerging out of sheer helplessness. I asked man … Read More […]
Majboori Ka Naam Mahatma Gandhi: Why? (via ArpitGarg’s Weblog) « Pilant's Business Ethics Blog
May 10, 2011 at 5:43 am
If we are by default children of Bapu ( MG ) , why do we all does not have the surname Gandhi . Again If we are the children of Bapu ( MG ) , why do have to purchase land in the country , we should inherit the National Land , but again it would helplessness to grant all Indians to grant Lands by the Govt Of INDIA , hence that would become their helplessness , as so many helplessness is associated with Bapu ( MG ) , thus ( MG ) is the other name of helplessness .
The reason why Mazboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi .
mike thompson
October 19, 2016 at 2:36 am
If we are by default children of Bapu ( MG ) , why do we all does not have the surname Gandhi . Again If we are the children of Bapu ( MG ) , why do have to purchase land in the country , we should inherit the National Land , but again it would helplessness to grant all Indians to grant Lands by the Govt Of INDIA , hence that would become their helplessness , as so many hhelplessness is associated with Bapu ( MG ) , thus ( MG ) is the other name of helplessness .
The reason why Mazboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi .
mike thompson
October 19, 2016 at 2:42 am