Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

 

 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the name itself resonates with the principle of non-violence. Born on 2nd October 1869 in the coastal city of Porbandar (Gujarat, India), he played a vital role in India's struggle for Independence. He initially practiced law in South Africa and there he realized how wrong the Britishers were treating the locals. He struggled for them and then he came to India to give a new ideological direction to the mass for the common goal of respect and independence.

 

Gandhi had united an India divided on the lines of caste, religion, creed and region. He became a mass leader, which the country needed while under foreign rule.

 

His values and principles even during the times of oppression at the hands of Britishers gained mass popularity within and beyond the boundaries of India. Under his leadership the people of India endured various hardships thrown at them by the imperialistic tactics of Britain, but India beat them all to become independent. Due to his values, principles and stature he was accorded the title of 'Mahatma' by the great Rabindranath Tagore, which later on got fondly accepted by one and all.

As they say no matter how good a person is he can never be perfect and without perfection there will be people who would not agree with even the likes of Mahatma Gandhi. He was praised all over, but was criticized by many too for him being too easy on Britishers and also the way he handled the situation of Bifurcation of India. He was killed ultimately by Nathuram Godse, a fierce critic of Gandhi, on 30th January 1948. Though it would be wrong to say that India got its independence solely due to Gandhi, but there is no denial of the fact that he was one of the most instrumental factors in our quest towards attaining it.

 

Today we remember our beloved Mahatma Gandhiji on his 151st birth anniversary. Though he may have rested in peace, his ideals, values and principles will always remain immortal.

 

As Albert Einstein had rightly quoted, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth. (said of Mahatma Gandhi)”