Essay on Mahatma Gandhi The Father of Nation : The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was also known as Bapu, which means ‘father’. His full name was Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi. He was born at Porbandar on 2nd October, 1869. His father was highly respected, as he was the 'diwan’ of small princely states. His mother Putalibai was a very pious and religious lady, who Karam Chand was deeply attached to and from whom he imbibed his love of truth, rightfulness, integrity and loyalty, because of the influence she had over him.
Essay on Mahatma Gandhi The Father of Nation
The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was also known as Bapu, which means ‘father’. His full name was Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi. He was born at Porbandar on 2nd October, 1869. His father was highly respected, as he was the 'diwan’ of small princely states. His mother Putalibai was a very pious and religious lady, who Karam Chand was deeply attached to and from whom he imbibed his love of truth, rightfulness, integrity and loyalty, because of the influence she had over him.
In those days, it was customary to marry young and Karam Chand followed the same tradition when at the age of 13, he married kasturba, a shy devoted girl who was as young as he. Karam Chand's parents thought it best to send him away to London for a few years to study, while Kasturba learnt the household chores and responsibilities of married life.
Although Karam Chand worked hard, and studied Law to become a barrister, he could not adapt well to life in the West and decided to return home. He practiced Law for a while in Bombay and then left for South Africa, where there was dire need for lawyers and where the Indian community faced great discrimination on racial grounds.
In South Africa Gandhiji personally suffered great humiliation at the hands of the British, when he was literally thrown out of a train because he had bought a ticket in the 1st class—and the British did not feel an Indian could travel in the first class, since that was only reserved for the British. It was perhaps at that time itself that Gandhiji made up his mind to devote his entire life to freeing India from the British rule.
Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 and set up an Ashram near Ahmadabad, on the banks of the river, Sabarmati Kasturba had joined him and together they led a life of austerity and simplicity. Gandhiji had deep faith in God and the power of prayer. He took fasts to purify himself he taught himself to abstain from physical wants and needs, he believed more than anything else in the power of non-violence and dedication of purpose.
The Ashram became a refuge and sanctuary for many freedom fighters that came there constantly for discussions, advice, meetings and to be with Gandhiji. Gandhiji worked tirelessly to remove untouchably, the caste system, stigmas against the weaker sections of society and limited attitudes and prejudices.
He led the freedom struggle spending months at a stretch in jail, as well. He used non violence, satyagraha, Strikes and civil disobedience as weapons. Sarojini Naidu, Sardar Patel, Mohammad Jinnah, Pandit Jawahar Ial Nehru and several other freedom fighters followed Gandhiji's non-violent beliefs. Gandhiji worked for 18 hours a day, not paying heed to his own comforts or wants in any way.
When India finally gained her independence, other major problems arose between the Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji tried his level best to restore harmony between these two communities but to no avail. He was shot dead by a fanatic while he was going to attend a prayer meeting in Delhi.
As he lay dying, the last words Gandhiji uttered were those of Rama. The entire nation mourned his loss Gandhiji is acclaimed as one of the greatest leaders of the nation. India remembers his great sacrifices with love and respect. His memory is forever cherished for all time to come.
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