Question

Gandhiji's concept of development is Sarvodaya which can be achieved through ..................

• A. Navodaya
• B. Suryaodaya
• C. Antyodaya
• D. Sampuranodaya

Hint:

Gandhian developmental concepts:
- Sarvodaya = Universal progress Welfare of All (The Goal).
- Antyodaya = Uplift of the last, poorest person first (The Method).
- Both were inspired by John Ruskin's book Unto This Last.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Mahatma Gandhi's economic philosophy proposed an alternative paradigm to centralized industrial development, emphasizing moral progress, decentralized village economies (Gram Swaraj), and self-reliance.
His overarching developmental vision was termed Sarvodaya, which he coined in 1908 while paraphrasing John Ruskin's treatise Unto This Last.

Step 1: Philosophical Framework of Sarvodaya:
- Sarvodaya translates to "universal upliftment" or the "welfare and progress of all".
- Gandhi argued that unlike Western utilitarianism, which seeks "the greatest good of the greatest number," a just society must ensure the welfare of every individual without exception.
- True development cannot be achieved through aggregate economic indices if the poorest individuals remain destitute and marginalized.

Step 2: The Operational Mechanism of Antyodaya:
- To realize Sarvodaya, Gandhi introduced the principle of Antyodaya, which translates to the "upliftment of the last person".
- According to this principle, any development initiative must begin by uplifting the most impoverished and marginalized individual in the community.
- As Gandhi famously stated in his talisman, one should test any policy by asking whether it will restore the poorest and weakest person to control over their own life and destiny.
- Thus, Antyodaya serves as the practical method and prerequisite for achieving Sarvodaya.
Final Answer:
Gandhiji's concept of Sarvodaya is achieved through Antyodaya, corresponding to option (C).