Law of Life

Gandhi Essay

Throughout history most national heroes have been warriors, but Gandhi ended British rule over his native India without striking a single blow. A frail man, he devoted his life to peace and brotherhood in order to achieve social and political progress. Yet less than six months after his nonviolent resistance to British rule won independence for India, he was assassinated by a religious fanatic. Born on Oct. 2, 1869, in Porbandar, near Bombay, Gandhi was one of the gentlest of men, a devout and almost mystical Hindu, but he had an iron core of determination. Nothing could change his convictions. This combination of traits made him the leader of India's nationalist movement. Some observers called him a master politician. Others believed him a saint. To millions of Hindus he was their beloved Mahatma, meaning 'great soul. Gandhiji was a great social reformer. He worked hard to improve the life of women and the downtrodden. He advocated social justice and equality. He criticised casteism, untouchability, pardah system, child marriage, etc. He promoted women education. He called the untouchables harijan. His approach to various problems was non-violent. He was a great man of action. He taught the Indians the value of working with their own hands. He taught us the dignity of labour. He worked for Hindu-Muslim unity. When there were communal riots in different parts of the country, he risked his life to restore peace there. He was an apostle of peace. He was a friend of all and enemy of none. He was a God-fearing person. When he was 19 he defied custom by going abroad to study. He studied law at University College in London. Fellow students snubbed him because he was an Indian. In his lonely hours he studied philosophy. In his reading he discovered the principle of nonviolence as enunciated in Henry David Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience,' and he was persuaded by John Ruskin's plea to give up industrialism for farm life and traditional handicrafts--ideals similar to many Hindu religious ideas. On the appeal of Gopal Krishan Gokhale, a distinguished congressman, Gandhi joined congress. He toured the entire country. He found British high handedness every-where. Now he jumped in the affairs of the country heart and soul. He began his famous Non-co-operation Movement in 1920. He got the support of every Indian. He led the famous Dandi March and violated the infamous salt law. He began his historic Quit India Movement in 1942 at Bombay. He faced all odds very bravely. He was sentenced to jail for a number of times. In short, he was a jail bird. In South Africa the Indians were not welcome by the white settlers. One day Gandhi got pushed out of the train when he refused to leave his seat for a white person. It was then that decided never to be pushed down again and to fight for the rights of minorities. He started to lead the Indian workers in South Africa and fought for their rights. He made a very important rule for himself which he used his whole life: never to use violence in his fights, even if others would use violence against him. India attained freedom on 15th Aug., 1947 owing to his selfless service and super sacrifice. After the partition, this great man worked for Hindu Muslim unity. On 30th Jan., 1948, Nathu Ram Godse murdered him. The whole country was plunged into a deep sea of grief. But such great men never die. They are immortal. They live in their noble deeds and actions. Indians pay respectful homage to this great son of the country. His time-tested principles of truth and non-violence are our guiding-spirit. They will guide us in every hour of crisis. India is passing through a deep crisis. We need a leader like Mahatma Gandhi to steer us clear of the differences of caste, color and creed. May my country and countrymen wake up to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and make India of his dreams come true.