Gandhi ji’s talisman says that ‘whenever a person is in doubt, he/she should think whether her decision would empower or marginalize the poorest.’ It serves as an effective yardstick to evaluate the relevance of our actions. It is perhaps the most important social thought relevant presently as it helps in practicing the values of morality, empathy, compassion, integrity and honesty. Gandhi’s talisman can help resolve ethical dilemmas in general and day-to-day life in particular, in the following ways:

• Resources utilization: All public resources must be utilized in a fair and transparent manner so that the benefit reaches to the more deserving section. For example, an affluent family may think to leave the subsidy on LPG and buy the gas at market price instead.
• Self-interest vs Public benefit: At personal level, self-serving acts like tax evasion, littering in public places, practice of dowry, exploitation of women, nepotism can be avoided by following Gandhi ji’s talisman.
• Responsible production: The talisman provides a set of ideals for businesses and industries that they should strive for ensuring greater inclusiveness in the society. They must ensure optimal working conditions and comply with social security legislations and promote sustainable development.
• Conflict resolution: At societal level, it encourages altruism, compassion and communal harmony towards fellow human beings when encountered with negative vibes of hatred and violence. For example, during a protest against government inaction one must not destroy public utilities but rather sort out the issue through dialogue and other peaceful mechanism.
• During crisis: When people face disasters such as COVID and everyone is exposed to unemployment crises, Gandhi ji’s talisman gives hopes so that people may come forward to help each other e.g. in terms of giving salaries to the maids who cannot come for work, or to provide baskets of basic necessities to weaker section of society.

Resolving ethical dilemma requires clarity in thought process. Gandhiji’s talisman provides a line of thinking which involves keeping in mind interests of the marginalized. In this manner, this approach is of huge importance for a civil servant when it comes to resolving ethical dilemmas. In our day to day life, we face several situations such as leaving a seat to some old person or pregnant lady, or even at the time of giving moral education to children, or using natural resources such as water or electricity, Gandhiji’s talisman provides a guiding light. The essence of this talisman can also be observed in the philosophy of ‘Sarvodaya through Antyodaya’ (Development of all through development of the weakest) adopted by a welfare state during policy formulation.