An organisation of Chipko activists of Tuesday demanded the Bharat Ratna for Gaura Devi, a tribal woman from Uttarakhand acclaimed for her pioneering role in the unique movement of the 1970s for environmental protection. The Chipko movement was launched in the mountainous region of Uttarakhand, which was then part of Uttar Pradesh.
'Gandhi turned his life into a counter-intuitive experiment in old ideas like non-violence and swadeshi.' 'He offered numerous universal ideas that talk to the human condition.' 'His ability to take risks was outstanding,' says Sopan Joshi, explaining why the Mahatma's ideas are as relevant as ever.