Mahatma Gandhi born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2nd October 1869, also marked as Gandhi Jayanti in India. M.K Gandhi commonly known as ‘Bapu’ is among the souls who have defined peace, unity, equality and non-violence, not only in India but globally. The title of Mahatma was given by Rabindranath Tagore in his autobiography.
On the eve before of 146th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we wish to shed lights on his social work, which not only changed the perspective of millions but also encompassed society to be more vibrant in all aspects of life.
Mahatma originates from the combination of Sanskrit word ‘Maha’ (means Great) and ‘Atma’ (means Soul). The perfection of this title is very well suited for M.K Gandhi, apparently for his social work for the humanity and society as a whole.
This is the reason why Servapalli Radhakrishnan, First President of independent India on 70th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi said
“The greatest fact in the story of man on earth is not his material achievements, the empires he has built and broken, but the growth of his soul from age to age in its search for truth and goodness. Those who take part in the adventure of the soul secure an enduring place in the history of human culture. Time has discredited heroes as easily as it has forgotten everyone else; but the saints remain. The greatness of Gandhi is more in his holy living than in his heroic struggles, in his insistence on the creative power of the soul and its life-giving quality at a time when the destructive forces seem to be in the ascendant.”
Ended color Racism in South Africa
Mahatma led his early life as a lawyer, under the profession he had to visit South Africa in 1893 at the age of 24. In his course of case for which he was called to South Africa, he witnessed injustice against Indians and black residents of the country, eventually led them to re-gaining their voting rights. He stayed back in South Africa for 21 years (1893-1914), during this period only he evolved methodology of ‘Satyagraha’ (devotion to the truth), eventually Gandhi was proclaimed as a national hero in African sub continent. Gandhi before leaving the country established ‘Tolstoy Farm’ near Johannesburg, which used for nurture his policy peacefully.
Working for the benefits of the Pleasant in Champaran and Kheda
The work of Mahatma Gandhi for the pleasant class of Champaran and Kheda in 1918, was his very first achievement working in India. The Champaran agitation pitted local pleasantry against their British landlords, who were forcing them to grow Indigo and selling them in fixed price to the planters. On the other hand Kheda which was facing flood during the period, people were forced to pay revenue or bear the consequences of land confiscation. Mahatma Gandhi carried out the non-violence and forced British government to suspend revenue collection and free all the prisoners. The major focus of the movement was up-lifting the poor sects of the Indian society.
Eradication of ‘Purdha’, ‘Sati’ and Child Marriage
Mahatma Gandhi strongly favored liberation of women. He opposed the ‘Purdha’ system prevailing in the country, along with eradication of extreme oppression of Hindu widows, for the ‘Sati’ practice. He even protested against child-marriage being performed in many parts of the country. Unfortunately, the practice of Child marriage prevails in present time, irrespective of the fact that it is a crime as per Indian Law system. The evil practice is now been carried out on a very small scale. Credit of which is crowned to Mahatma Gandhi.
Fasting for the equalities of Dalits
Mahatma Gandhi was imposed to jail for fasting in support of Dalits, which eventually resulted in large public protest and forced government to adopt equitable arrangement, it is known as a Poona Pact. It was the beginning of the campaign for the right of untouchables,w hich he called Harijans. In the year 1933 Gandhi begun 21 day fast as an act of self-purification and launched one year campaign to help the Harijan movement.
