“I don’t have a message. My message is my life.” – Mahatma Gandhi
October 2nd is a very prominent day for all Indians. It is a day to remember Father of our Nation, M.K. Gandhi and is observed as a national holiday. Now-a-days only few people think about Gandhi. The present youth emphasize on their regular studies, spend time with friends and other activities and pay least attention and importance for principles or moral values. Here are the insights and ideas and principles and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birth anniversary to awaken and inspire Indian youth.
It is well known that Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869 in his ancestral home at Porbandar. He played a very prominent role in our freedom struggle. He led several movements such as Salt Satyagraha and Quit India movement. During his freedom struggle he was imprisoned number of times. In Salt Satyagraha he walked around 400 kilometers from Ahmadabad to Dandi. Gandhi made campaigns to erase poverty and social evil such as untouchability and caste discrimination. He also fought for equality of Harijans on par with higher castes.
Gandhi led an austerely life. He was honest from childhood. Once his master asked him to copy from other person in an examination but he did not copy and eventually got lesser marks than his classmates. But, he never felt bad about it. In his childhood, Gandhi was addicted to smoking and once he stole gold from his house. He rectified his mistake by giving a letter to his father which contained all his mischief. Tears rolled on out of his father’s eyes but his father did not say anything to Gandhi. This incident made a great impact in Gandhi’s life.
The sutras of Gandhi are Satyagraha, simplicity, ahimsa (non-violence) and belief in God. Gandhi always stressed on Satyagraha, he was able to conquer mighty British rule with these sutras. The application of this to our lives is that we should be honest with others and also in all aspects of our lives. The second sutra is simplicity. He always wore khadi dress. He didn’t concern what others would think of it. He was a strict vegetarian and maintained until his death. Even though he spent nearly half of his life in foreign countries he never ate meat. The next sutra is ahimsa. Unlike Subash Chandra Bose, Gandhi adopted a nonviolent path for the freedom struggle. Gandhi quoted, “There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” The principle signifies that we should try to avoid violent path and anger. Finally, we should have faith as without faith we can’t achieve anything.
Gandhi has many followers throughout the world such Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr, Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi and Barack Obama to name a few. Congressman John Lewis quoted, “I surely believe without (Mahatma) Gandhi – without Gandhi in India – there would be no Barack Obama as president’ of the United States.” Gandhi is an international leader and United Nations declared Gandhi’s birthday i.e. 02 October as “International Day of Non-Violence.” It indicates the international presence and acceptance of Gandhi as a global leader.
On 30 January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. Gandhi led a simple life and sacrificed his life for India’s independence. He is mortal but his principles are immortal. Youth should take inspiration from Gandhi’s ideas and ideals and apply the same for making a peaceful and prosperous India.
