Rahul Gandhi Shares Lessons from His Nationwide Foot March

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared key lessons he learned during his recent, extensive foot march across India. Reflecting on his political journey, Rahul Gandhi stated that since entering politics, he had prioritized speaking over listening. However, during the march, he came to understand the true meaning of “listening,” which he described as a transformative realization.

Rahul Gandhi recounted that at the beginning of the journey, he often found himself engaged in internal dialogues. Gradually, however, he said he became completely silent, learning to focus solely on what others were saying. Illustrating this shift, he recalled an encounter with a woman who confided in him that her husband had been physically abusing her. She expressed that her only wish was for someone to understand her pain. After listening to her without interruption, Rahul Gandhi observed that she appeared relieved and calm, and he realized the profound power that lies in simply listening. He emphasized that listening to the people is more powerful than any action politicians can take.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that opposition parties are unwilling to genuinely listen to the public, believing instead that they already have all the answers. He expressed concern that despite the abundance of modern communication tools, political leaders are failing to deeply hear the voices of the people. He expressed hope that his party could fill this void through meaningful engagement.

Acknowledging his long political career since 2004, Rahul Gandhi admitted that he had never openly used words like “love” and “affection” when addressing the public. However, during the foot march, he began to use these expressions, which, he said, prompted a remarkable response from people. He observed that once he started expressing love and warmth, people began to reciprocate in kind.

Rahul Gandhi stated his belief that it is possible to connect with people directly and instantly not through policies or future plans, but through love and affection. He explained that this is the core message behind the slogan “A shop of love in the market of hate” (Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan). No matter how much hate is propagated, he asserted, it can be countered most effectively with love and compassion. He said that this realization has made his politics and his relationship with people easier and more meaningful.