M.K GANDHI: MAN OF THE MILLENNIUM
“The bald,
lanky, shirtless, bespectacled man from India, Father of the Nation, Gandhi was
the pivot behind India's struggle for freedom against British rule.”
Few people who have walked this planet have made an
impact as huge as Mahatma Gandhi. The bald, lanky, shirtless, bespectacled man
from India, Father of the Nation, Gandhi was the pivot behind India’s struggle
for freedom against British rule. While the first revolt against the British
rule was in 1857, it was nothing as massive as that led by Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi. He led an army of millions all bound by two principles, truth and
non-violence. Gandhi started a number of relentless movements to reach the
final goal that was freedom and the same was achieved for India on August 15,
1947. It was only fitting that the title of ‘Mahatma’ was conferred upon this
great Indian leader.
Mahatma Gandhi studied law in United Kingdom and
went ahead to South Africa to practice as a lawyer. However, he left his
practice and returned to India due to his love for his country and to fight for
the freedom of his people. Gandhi became a keen political leader and
fought for the nation. His characteristic of getting identified separately from
the mass made him popular among the Indians and British as well.
To express his protests against the tax on salt, he
undertook the Salt March from Ahmedabad to Dandi covering a total distance of
388 kilometres. He even founded the philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa) and
truth (Satyagraha). Gandhi had a heart of courage and spirit of the unafraid.
He had been imprisoned on several accounts during the freedom
struggle. Despite the hurdles and difficulties, Gandhi went ahead and
played a significant role in making India an independent country. He even
announced a fast of 21 days for the cause of Harijans. His Quit India slogan
proved a final signal for the British dominion in India. Gandhi’s teachings and
practice are invaluable for the country and are largely used in providing
peaceful solutions to problems and in solving current conflicts.
October 2, 2017, the nation is all geared up to
celebrate Gandhi’s 148th birthday on Monday. The day is to commemorate his
birth as well as his life that serves as a guiding path for several people in
India and across the world. October 2 is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and as
the International Day of non-violence worldwide. Gandhi Jayanti is a national
holiday in India.
Many people celebrate Gandhi’s birthday by offering
prayers and participating in services in his memory. Schools, colleges,
government offices, post offices, banks, etc. remain closed on Gandhi Jayanti
in order to pay tribute to the great leader of India. We remember Bapu and his
great deeds by celebrating the Gandhi Jayanti. Several places hold commemorative
activities and cultural events while several colleges and government offices
organize special prayer sessions and get-togethers. A number of housing
societies play patriotic songs on loudspeakers on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.
The aim of celebrating Gandhi Jayanti as the
International Day of non-violence is to distribute Bapu’s philosophy, belief in
non-violence, principle, etc. all over the world. It is celebrated through
theme based proper activities in order to enhance the public awareness
worldwide. Gandhi was born in a small coastal town (Porbandar, Gujarat) however
he performed great works all through his life which still influences the people
in advance era.
He worked great for achieving Swaraj, remove
untouchability from society, abolition of other social evils, improving
economic condition of farmers, empowering women rights and many more. The
movements run by him are non-cooperation movement in 1920, Dandi March or Salt
Satyagraha in 1930 and Quit India Movement in 1942 in order to help Indian
people in getting freedom from British rule. His Quit India Movement was a call to British to leave India.
Gandhi’s birthday is celebrated in his remembrance by the
whole nation. His high thinking, simple living and strong willpower made him a
revered leader of India.
“A Man is but
the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
Written By:
Gaurav Hooda
On behalf of Team of AIL Blog
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