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(Observed
International Day of Non-Violence at UN General Assembly on October 2, 2009)
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Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat India. He
became one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders
of the 1900's. Gandhi helped free the Indian people from British
rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by his people
as the father of the Indian Nation (or Bapu)
At age 13, Gandhi married Kasturba, age 12, in a marriage arranged by
their parents. The Gandhis had four sons: Harilal and Manilal,
born in India, and Ramdas and Devdas born in South Africa. While
Gandhi displayed loving kindness to everyone else, he was quite
demanding and severe with his wife and sons.
Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice.
In 1893 he accepted a one year contract to do legal work in
South Africa. At the time South Africa was controlled by the
British. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British
subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered
similar treatment. |
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Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years
working to secure rights for Indian people. He developed a
method of direct social action based upon the principles
courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed
that the way people behave is more important than what they
achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience
as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals.
In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of
the Indian nationalist movement. Using the tenets of Satyagraha
he lead the campaign for Indian independence from Britain.
Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities
in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to
jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison
for his political activities. More than once Gandhi used fasting
to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent.
India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and
Pakistan. Rioting between Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi
had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims
lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78,
he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed.
After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting
and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated
by a Hindu fanatic who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion.
Among the tributes to Gandhi upon his death were these words by the great
physicist, Albert Einstein: Generations to come will scarce believe that such
a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood.
Gandhi's death was regarded as an international catastrophe. His place in
humanity was measured not in terms of the 20th century, but in
terms of history. A period of mourning was set aside in the
United Nations General Assembly, and condolences to India were
expressed by all countries. |
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