David Nezelek
Cibbuano
TyronneMahatma Gandhi
November 14th 2007 18:37
Mahatma Gandhi is probably one of the most easily recognized, most admired Indian in history. He's an icon in the global peace arena, as an outspoken proponent for truth and non-violence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 to a family in the merchant caste in Gujarat. He grew up as a vegetarian and pacifist, and went to London to study law. He was not an excellent student, but his time in London brought him closer to understanding his vegetarianism, and also allowed him time to think about philosophy and the major religions.
He was married at the age of 13 to Kasturba Makhanji, and they had four sons... though she's not very well-known, she followed him through his teachings, and lived with him in poverty.
Gandhi practised law in South Africa, where he saw firsthand the ugliness of racism and intolerance. During the South African War, he organized the Indian population into a medical corps, providing medical services to injured soldiers. Through his actions, he mobilized the Indian community into a powerful political force in South Africa.
Most notably, Gandhi pushed for Indian Independence, and renounced the idea of Hindu castes. He saw all people as equal and argued against retaliation.
It was a clever idea - if the Indians resisted, the British occupiers would have no problem fighting them... when Gandhi led his peaceful resistance, the British troops were hesitant to kill peaceful protesters.
In 1948, Gandhi was assassinated while taking his daily walk. He was killed by a Hindu radical who disagreed on Gandhi's views on the India-Pakistan question, and felt that Gandhi was weakening India.
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Comment by Damo
There was a film about his assassin but it wasn't very good.
Comment by Theresa
Today's World
Thank you for writing such a good post. It's been a long time since I've thought of this good man.
And a very long time since I last considered his often complex, and spiritually demanding, ideas.
So glad you brought him back into the conversation
Theresa