We remember people not only for what they have done for themselves but far more for what they have contributed to society at large. Their selfless dedication to the service of humanity makes them live on forever in our minds. One of them was Mahatma Gandhi, who spent his life sharing and spreading the message of love, peace and joy.
Gandhi Jayanti is one of the important National Events of India Celebrated every year on 2nd October. This year 2018 marks 149th years of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This day is also celebrated as the International Day of Non-violence all over the world declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 June 2007.
Born on 2nd October 1869 at Porbander in Gujarat, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi rose to become the greatest symbol of Non-violent resistance against all forms of oppression. Mahatma Gandhi, as he came to be known, studied Law in England and later practiced it in South Africa. While in South Africa, which was then under the British, Gandhiji was shocked at the treatment meted out to the Blacks and the Indians settled there. He vowed to fight against injustice and soon became a popular political leader. He removed untouchability, achieved Swaraj, abolished many social evils thus improving economic conditions of farmers, empowering women rights etc.
The movements’ run by him are non-cooperation movement in 1920, the Dandi March on salt satyagraha in 1930 and Quit India Movement in 1942 to free the people of his country in their struggle for Independence. His method of struggle was through Satyagraha based on truth, courage and non-violence. Gandhiji believed that violence was a weapon of the weak and not the strong.
He united the people and led the Indian freedom movement from the front. Thus he is rightly called “the father of the Nation”.
In his autobiography, “My experiments with truth”, Gandhiji gives us an insight into his philosophy. The central point of Gandhiji’s belief was ahimsa or non-violence, which he considered to be the greatest virtue. Gandhiji’s method of non-violent agitation was later adopted by Martin Luther King (Jr.) in his struggle for equality of Blacks in the Unites States.
Gandhiji was assassinated on 30th January 1948 by a fanatic called Nathuram Godse.
Mary Pinheiro