Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, a man of various shades, on his 150th Birth Anniversary
Mahatma Gandhi was one of the very few prominent figures to have been born in the nineteenth century who was and continues to be widely admired the people from different sections and various walks of life across the world.
His ideals of non-violence and truth are still very relevant in the present time when the people across the globe continue to be the victim of violence and falsehood being perpetuated at a rapid speed.
His emphasis on cleanliness, communal harmony, peace, equality, women empowerment, selfless service and just social order make him a man of prudent vision with deep compassion for the humanity and fellow countrymen.
But it doesn’t mean that he was/is not criticised or looked upon down. In fact, many scholars, historians and common people have very scathing views about Gandhi. Some of the decisions taken Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for independence and some less known facets of his personal life have drawn some strong criticism.
Be it his withdrawal of non-cooperation movement, his practice of sleeping naked with young nuns in the Ashram, his views on the caste system, his call for Khadi and boycott of British goods, his role during the partition and many more contentious events and decisions are matter of debate.
Despite all of these criticisms, he continues to be that one binding force that reminds every Indian of the travails of the struggle for independence. Despite being born in a well-off family and having a well-settled career as a lawyer, he renounced all such luxuries and privileges to fight for the independence of his fellow Indians who were oppressed and enslaved Britishers.
The greatness of Mahatma Gandhi’s stature can be gauged from the lines of one of the greatest minds Albert Einstein, who once said, “Generations to come will scarcely believe that a person like Gandhi made of flesh and bone ever walked on to this earth”.
As a worshipper of non-violence, an ambassador of peace, an epitome of simplicity and sacrifice, a lover of truth and honesty, a crusader of equality and social justice, and torchbearer in India’s struggle of independence; Mahatma Gandhi will be always remembered for his indomitable spirit and immense sacrifice for the service of nation and humanity.
Currently, I am pursuing B.A(H) Political science from Satyawati College, Delhi University.
I like public speaking, writing and reading in my leisure.
