<h5>Who was Mahatma Gandhi?</h5>  <p>Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born to a Hindu family in Porbandar, modern-day Gujarat, on 2nd October 1869. His father was the Dewan (Chief Minister) of the Porbandar princely state. At the age of 19, he travelled to London to study law. Soon after qualifying as a barrister, he returned to India and started his legal practice in 1892.</p>
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<p>In 1893, Gandhi Ji visited South Africa, a place that transformed his worldview and set the building blocks for his career as a political leader. He was deeply shaken to witness how Indians were discriminated against by Dutch and British colonial authorities in South Africa.</p>
<p>Gandhi Ji founded the ‘Natal Indian Congress’ in 1894, an organisation to fight for the rights of Indians living in South Africa. He led many non-violent campaigns of resistance to secure the rights of Indians to live with dignity.
</p> <h5>What were his contributions to India’s freedom struggle?</h5>  <p>After his successful stint in South Africa, Gandhi Ji returned to India in 1914. The Indian National Movement had taken off in 1905 itself. However, Gandhi Ji felt that our struggle for independence would not be complete without the participation of the poor and disadvantaged communities. </p>
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<p>Thus, initially, he directed all his energies to help the peasants and factory workers, who were suffering due to the unjust policies of the British Indian government. He adopted the methods of civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and fast-unto-death, to bring them justice. </p>
<p>Subsequently, he became a member of the Indian National Congress. He led many political campaigns to achieve independence from British rule, such as Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil-Disobedience Movement (1930-34), and the Quit Indian Movement (1942). 
</p> <h5>What was his philosophy about politics and life?</h5>  <p>Gandhi Ji’s philosophy was primarily influenced by the teachings of different religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam) and his favourite authors, Leo Tolstoy and James Ruskin.</p>
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The two central ideas of his political philosophy are truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa). Though he was a devoted Hindu, he believed that all religions were equal and spoke of the same truth. He wanted people of different religious communities to co-exist peacefully. </p>
<p>He was deeply critical of untouchability, an evil practice of the Indian caste system. Due to this, some caste groups in India, owing to their occupation as leather workers, cremation workers etc., faced discrimination and social exclusion by members of other castes.</p>
<p>By the ideal of non-violence, Gandhi Ji meant to emphasise the feelings of compassion and love that we must have for each other. His idea of violence included the habit of insulting others, using harsh words, feelings of anger, etc, and he was very against these practices.
</p> <h5>In what way has the world honoured Gandhi Ji’s legacy?</h5>  <p>Gandhi Ji’s method of peaceful protest has inspired people around the globe to fight against injustices. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. of the USA and Nelson Mandela of South Africa drew their inspiration from Gandhi Ji. </p>
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<p>The Constitution of India has incorporated Gandhi Ji’s political ideas. For instance, Article 46 states that our government should take special care to promote the educational and economic development of weaker sections, especially Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.</p>
<p>What inspires you most about Gandhi Ji or his life? Let us know in the comments below.
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This year, on the 2nd of October, we celebrate the 153rd birth anniversary of the Father of our Nation - Mahatma Gandhi. Let’s read about his inspirational life!

The Life and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

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The Life and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

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