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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi,
a normal Indian citizen living his daily life was exalted when
he moved out of his nest to fight a kingdom that had made the
country their domain. Born in Gujarat, like every well doing
Indian, he travelled to UK to complete his education and become
a lawyer. On completion he travelled to South Africa to practice
as a lawyer.
His enormous contribution to the freedom struggle elevated his
stance from a normal individual to a political hero. He was a
catalyst to throw out the British Raj and usher democracy in the
country. The election of a Prime Minister and the cabinet was
brought in place in a country shattered and torn by riots and
caste wars. |
Living in a country that
opposed the Raj, Gandhiji saw bloodshed and war all around him.
As the British had a zero tolerance policy they slaughtered and
killed Indians without batting an eye lid. In vengeance more
people would attack and even more would lose their lives,
surviving widows and fatherless children lurking in around
corridors hungry and nowhere to go.
In a pathetic state of the country Gandhi struck out to protest
against the rulers, but in a different way. He used the
non-violence or ahimsa and Satyagraha method. In this way he did
not raise his hands or preach to take up the baton, instead he
recommended his people to fight but not with arms. Hence was
born the union syndrome and the Mahatma was born.
People moved out in droves shouting slogans and demanding their
rights. Mahatma Gandhi would urge Indians to wear clothes and
use substances that are made in India, another way of his silent
protests. In worse times he has gone on a fast- where he would
not eat his food for days and sometimes even weeks together, all
to get his demands sorted. Such was the simple life of Mahatma
Gandhi. Initially this did not stir the government, but when
large number of people began to resort to the same method then
the nature of this national strike surfaced.
Hence 2nd of October is celebrated as a Gandhi Jayanti to
commemorate the profound work done by a single man to releasing
the country from the clutches of the Britishers. Gandhi through
this style of revolt won an international audience and today is
known world over for his non-violence movement. Hence 2nd
October is also celebrated world over as a non-violence day and
the week is known as the non-violence week as sealed by the WHO.
Gandhi was loved by many and was equally reciprocated with hate.
It disheartened him to see the country’s partition as lakhs of
people were being killed in the name of religion. And ultimately
it was a Hindu – Nathuram Godse who assassinated him and brought
an end to the 72 year old who still remains in the mind and
hearts of the world.
Many have translated his life into books and movies. The Gandhi
Movie released in 1981 played by Ben Kinsley, resounded through
the world and received an international audience.
mahatma gandhi biography
Author: Ms Coutinho.
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