What is Gandhian Values in Social Work

Gandhi was not a social worker in the strict sense of the term. But Gandhian social work is basically concerned with the reconstruction of society based on truth and non-violence and welfare of all the last and the lowliest, the poorest of the poor(Antyodaya). The lowliest, the poorest of the poor(Antyodaya). The vulnerable sections of the society are the worst sufferers in the catastrophic situations such as fires, epidemics, famine, wars, not to speak about the welfare needs of the disadvantaged sections and the problems relating to social injustice, economic exploitation, social discrimination, inequality and the related problems which are the outcome of the discrepancies in the social system. The basic objective of Gandhian social work was too fixed out the basic causes and conditions out of which, the above problems would arise. 

The method of social action would deal with such problems to rectify the discrepancies in the social system keeping in view the truth, social injustice, and non-violence. It is also necessary to bring about fundamental changes in the institutional framework and the values of society. Social action aims at collective effort and involvement of the people directing collective energies towards combating social problems. The dignity and self-respect of the individual is in jeopardy, the laws would be amended to safeguard the interests of the weaker sections and poverty groups. Ammu M. Mazumdar says: “ Int eh couser of many of his activities of a social welfare nature, Gandhi had developed certain principles, practices and procedures which harmonize remarkably with the principles and techniques of pre-professional social work as it has developed in the western world settlement houses, social group work, social casework, community welfare organization, social legislation, social action