Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji) - Short Essay 1.
Mahatma literally means – ‘the great soul or a great person’. This is a social title conferred out of popular respect. Though he is popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi or Gandhiji, his original name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869, in Gujarat, in pre-liberation era in India and was instrumental in India’s liberation struggle from the Colonial British Rule.
Mahatma Gandhi is considered the most popular and instrumental leader of India’s liberation struggle. His opinions and philosophy about leading the liberation movement, connected with the then masses of India and he literally ruled over their hearts. He is hence also considered as the ‘Father of the Nation’, by the Indian population.
Social activist vs. Politician
Mahatma Gandhi was more of a Social activist to begin with than a typical Politician. He was genuinely interested in the upliftment and empowerment of the neglected and suppressed segments of the Indian population. He stood up against the racial discrimination against the Indians by the Britishers or the White-skinned races. He also stood up against the ill-effects of the Caste System within the Indian social structure. He led various Social movements like the Dandi March, the Satyagraha movement, etc. throughout his life to achieve these goals. The umbrella motivation over all these social movements was of course the liberation of the Indian population from the Colonial British rule. His main philosophical difference and strength, that separated him from all other liberation movements in India and across the world – was his strict belief in the Power of Non-Violence – as means of peaceful resistance to injustice.
Biopic movie
His life has been depicted in popular literature and media. Richard Attenborough’s Biopic Movie called Gandhi won an Academy Award for the Best Picture in 1982.
Mahatma Gandhi, rightly called the Father of India, is a personality of global significance, even today.
By Janhavi
Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji) - Short Essay 2.
His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a man who stood as an activist and leader of the Indian independence Movement. He challenged the rule of the British colonialists by using strategies of civil disobedience while avoiding violence in all possible ways. Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian people to their independence inspiring the forces towards civil rights ad campaigning for freedom all over the world.
- Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the war against racial discrimination in countries like South Africa, campaigning for racial equality to all.
- He led a campaign called the Satyaghraha Campaign in South Africa which progressed to the 1914 Relief Act of India.
- Mahatma Gandhi also championed the war of civil disobedience at Champaran, India, alongside the people in his movement.
- He was also at the forefront of the non-violent tax revolution in Kheda which proved successful.
- Mahatma Gandhi was also at the forefront of the re-known non-cooperation movement that took place and stood up in the 1920s.
- History records that Mahatma Gandhi was also the leader of the popular Salt March to Dandi in the year 1930. This was against the British rule to prohibit Indians from selling or collecting salt and their imposing of heavy taxes on their course.
- He is also responsible for the launching of the Quit India movement that demanded for the end of British rule.
- He stood as the head figure in charge of India gaining her Independence.
- He challenged social evils in the Indian society. Such evils include aspects like untouchability.
Conclusion
Because of his significant role in various movements and the milestones he was able to accomplish, Mahatma Gandhi won himself the runners up position after Einstein’s “Person of the Century” award.
By Mary
Last Updated: March 17, 2019.