Helga schneider biography of mahatma gandhi
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We can still derive inspiration from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who wanted us to remember the age old saying, “In spite of death, life persists, and in spite of hatred, love persists.” Rabindranath Tagore addressed him as ‘Mahatma’ and the latter called the poet “Gurudev’. Gandhi organized various campaigns, including the Natal Indian Congress, to address the injustices faced by Indians in South Africa.
In India, Gandhi's strategy of civil disobedience gained momentum through numerous campaigns, including the Salt March in 1930, which protested against the British monopoly on salt and tax policies. It was a new world for young Mohan and offered immense opportunities to explore new ideas and to reflect on the philosophy and religion of his own country.
Gandhi also placed significant value on the concept of self-sufficiency, urging Indians to spin their own cloth and promote local industries, which resonated with his belief in economic independence from British rule. He often funded his initiatives and campaigns through small donations from followers and supporters. Gandhi’s legacy continues to inspire civil rights movements worldwide, making him an enduring figure in the fight for justice and human dignity.
In 1915 when Gandhiji returned from South Africa he had established his ashram at Kochrab near Ahmedabad. Drawn back into the political fray by the outbreak of World War II, Gandhi again took control of the INC, demanding a British withdrawal from India in return for Indian cooperation with the war effort. He backed off after violence broke out–including the massacre by British-led soldiers of some 400 Indians attending a meeting at Amritsar–but only temporarily, and by 1920 he was the most visible figure in the movement for Indian independence.
Leader of a Movement
As part of his nonviolent non-cooperation campaign for home rule, Gandhi stressed the importance of economic independence for India.
His simplistic lifestyle won him, admirers, both in India and the outside world. Now after year’s travel, Gandhiji moved his ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River near Ahmedabad and called it Satyagraha Ashram.
His first Satyagraha in India was at Champaran, Bihar in 1917 for the rights of peasants on indigo plantations.
Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi
READ| Champaran Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi: Death
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse.
These were important issues in his agenda of constructive work – essential programmes to go with Satyagraha.
On March 12 1930, Gandhiji set out with 78 volunteers on historic Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram; Ahmedabad to Dandi, a village on the sea coast .This was an important non violent movement of Indian freedom struggle. Again in 1908, he mobilsed Indian community in South Africa against the discriminatory law requiring Asians to apply for the registration by burning 2000 official certificates of domicile at a public meeting at Johannesburg and courting jail.
British authorities arrested Gandhi in March 1922 and tried him for sedition; he was sentenced to six years in prison but was released in 1924 after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. In a short period, Gandhi became a leader of the Indian community in South Africa. Tirukkural ancient Indian literature, originally written in Tamil and later translated into various languages.
Throughout his life, Gandhi emphasized values such as simplicity, self-reliance, and communal harmony. Same year he started his weeklies Young India in English and Navajivan in Gujarati.
In 1921, Gandhiji took to wearing loin cloth to identify himself with poor masses and to propagate khadi, hand spun cloth. In response, Gandhi launched a 240-mile march from Sabarmati to the Arabian Sea, which symbolized nonviolent resistance and galvanized the Indian populace.
Gandhiji was not satisfied with his studies at Samaldas College and so he became excited by the London proposal and managed to convince his mother and wife that he will not touch non-veg, wine, or women.
Off to London
In the year 1888, Mahatma Gandhi left for London to study law. She often accompanied him during his travels and demonstrations, sharing his burden and supporting his visions for social reform and justice in India.
In London, he also joined a Vegetarian Society and was introduced to Bhagavad Gita by some of his vegetarian friends.