Why Mahatma Gandhi is a Role Model?
Paragraph No. 01
Mahatma Gandhi is a role model not only among Indians, but he is among the most admired global personalities of all time.
Gandhiji lived and worked with and for the ill housed ill clothed and underfed millions of Indians. He lost himself in the multitude in such a way as if he was one with them.
His clothing style was very simple. The loin cloth round the body, the wooden sandal on the feet, the spectacles on the nose and the watch were perhaps the few things which were enough for this person whether he was in his cottage meditating on God or in Birla House attending his Prarthana Sabha or in England attending a Round Table Conference.
The man, who was the son of a Diwan and had qualified at the Bar living in England for a number of years, was not ashamed of such a simple life, and rather on the contrary, was proud of it because in such a dress he was representing his India which was residing in villages.
Before participating in the politics of India, Mahatma Gandhi had his experience in South Africa. The Indian in that part of Africa were treated very harshly by the Whites. Incidentally, Gandhiji was involved in their politics, and within a few years, he became their undisputed leader.
Gandhi gave the lead in Indian politics when it was most needed. When he came to India, enriched with the experience of South Africa, he had the stalwarts like Gokhale and Tilak who were the spokesmen of the people. Gandhiji wanted to take part in the national movement but he was not fully conversant with the situation here. He was advised to take an extensive tour of the country to inform himself of the prevailing conditions in different parts of the country. This tour actually helped him because he was shocked to find that millions of people were living below human standard. The misery of the peasants specially appealed to his sense of humanity and, therefore, he decided to throw in his lot with those teeming millions who were forming the real population of the country.
Gandhiji has given his early career in his autobiography, and from there we can conclude that, from the very beginning, he was a religious minded fellow.
Mahatma Gandhi never acted against his conscience whatever are the circumstances. He refused to take off his turban when he was ordered to do so by a Magistrate in South Africa. A man of ordinary morality could have never gathered the courage to show this boldness at various stages of his life. Hence, Mahatma Gandhi is a role model.
Gandhi was a believer of Ahimsa and non-violence. Non-injury to any form of life was the creed of his life, and he was not ready to sacrifice it even during his political career. The weapon of Satyagraha was to him nothing but recognition of God and his attribute of love. He refused to be violent in spite of many provocations. When a fanatic Afghan tried to harm him, he was bolt enough to forgive the fellow because he was a fool who could not distinguish between just and unjust. He forgave the man who threw a bomb at his prayer meeting at Delhi because the fellow was a mad man and could not judge his action according to his conscience. He according to all estimate, would have been the last man to see Godse penalized had he survived the fatal attack. Thus, he was a believer of non-violence to the core.
Paragraph No. 02
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi is called the “Father of the Nation”. In the twentieth century, he had been one of the greatest leader of the World. He brought independence to the country. His weapons in this war were unique, namely, truth and non-violence.
Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbander in Gujarat. His father was Dewan in Rajkot state. After passing his matriculation in 1887, he went to England to study law. In 1893 he went to South Africa. There he was appalled by pathetic conditions of coloured people and discrimination against the Indians and South Africans. He fought for their rights.
He adopted a new method to fight against the British rulers. He practiced peaceful resistance to racial discrimination. His weapons were Satyagrah (Truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence). After winning the battle in South Africa, he returned to India in 1916.
His aim was to bring independence to the build it as a self-reliant nation. He started non-violence and non-country cooperation movement to achieve the above objectives. He moved the masses with his simplicity and sacrifice. Along with many leaders and countrymen, he was sent sincerity, to the jail several times.
Ultimately the Britishers realized that they cannot continue to rule India. They were unable to control the fire of Independence burning in the hearts of the masses. The path of Mahatma millions were following Gandhi. On his behest, they were ready to lay their lives for the freedom of the country.
In August 1947, the Britishers had to retreat and India was declared as a free country. But unfortunately the country was divided into two nations, India and Pakistan. The scene after the Independence was terrible. There was turmoil, chaos, terror and bloodshed all over. It caused heavy loss of life, character and property on both sides of the manmade border. Gandhiji was saddened by the communal hatred. He began fast unto death, unless the condition at Neokhali in East Bengal, which was worst affected, was brought under control. Ultimately the peace returned among the Hindus and Muslims.
What Gandhiji achieve in his life was a miracle. He lived in the hearts of millions of Indians and was respected by all. He laid great emphasis on banishing untouchability, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of illiteracy, development of cottage and handloom industries, equality to women and development of villages and agriculture.
He believed that purity of soul can be brought by sacrifice and service to the poor. He practice what he preached. He dedicated all his life in the upliftment of the poor. He personified the principle of simple living and high thinking. He was very sensitive and understanding. He laid his life for the country.
On 30th January 1948, the world lost a great leader. Mahatma Gandhi was killed by a fanatic, who did not like his way. There was gloom all over the nation. He was cremated at Rajghat in Delhi.
Although he is dead, his name lives. He lives in the heart of millions. Even after almost six decades, his principles, dedication and mission continue to inspire the country. The nation will always remain indebted to Mahatma Gandhi for giving it freedom.
