|
Mahatma Ghandi
The life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi was well documented by an Award winning film some years ago. To better know this humble man whose life touched so many, do read his autobiography or watch the excellent film, Gandhi.
Gandhi was defined by his purist beliefs. This peace seeking man who preferred life in a commune with few worldly goods was elevated to legendary status when he began wearing a homespun breech cloth. A single act that helped inspire a revolution.
The British, who seemed at a loss in controlling either Gandhi or his followers, misunderstood this complex situation. Gandhi's simplicity proved to be quite provocative to those who foolishly believed that he could be silenced if incarcerated.
He was larger than life, which is paradoxical as he chose to exist at the lowest level humanly possible. His steadfast determination to achieve Democracy through non violent, non co-operative protests are what made him immortal. When these measures failed to bring the results that he sought, he would fast until the violence that he abhorred, stopped.
Gandhi's style of Humanitarian struggle for freedom would be imitated by many who followed him. His "nonviolent, non co-operative resistance" would become the mantra for generations of freedom seekers.
The following is a simple quote, but it nearly encompassed Gandhi's philosophy about removing the British Empire from both India and South Africa.
The General said - "You don't think we're just going to walk out of India!"
simply cannot control 350 million Indians, if those Indians refuse to cooperate."
The sad fact that Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize is a "big regret" to quote the Nobel Foundation. It is hard to imagine another whose life was more devoted to Peace than Gandhi, but then he probably would not have cared for such a material thing anyway. He believed that all things in life should be truly simple.
And finally, this is a really lengthy, but very well done documentation of Gandhi's life by Wikipedia, whom I often criticize for their inaccuracies.
Kola visits
Last edited March 16, 2008 Copyright © 1998 - 2008 tahtonka.com All rights reserved. |