Short Biography of Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a rare type of man. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha -- resistance through mass civil disobedience strongly founded upon ahimsa (non-violence) becoming one of the strongest philosophies of freedom struggles worldwide. He led the Indian people to freedom. He did a lot of stuff. Do I care? Not really.

I mean sure, if I lived in India perhaps it would be very important to me. I'll admit Gandhi's exploits are interesting to me. It is a purely historical curiosity, however. In this current day and age, his accomplishments mean nothing to me. I had known little to none of the man until this class, and most likely I will never hear of it after I turn in this editorial.

But this is supposed to be a commemoration of his accomplishments. Where to begin? Gandhi first employed his ideas of civil disobedience in the Indian struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Upon his return to India, Gandhi helped lead poor farmers and labourers to protest oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination.

Leading the Indian National Congress, Gandhi worked for the alleviation of poverty, the liberation of women, brotherhood, end to untouchability and caste discrimination and for the economic self-sufficiency of the nation. However, Gandhi's work focused upon the goal of Swaraj -- self-rule for India. Gandhi famously led Indians in the disobedience of the salt tax through the 400 kilometer (248 miles) Dandi March, and in an open call for the British to Quit India in 1942. However his goal, freedom, came at a heavy cost: tens of thousands died in all of his movements as they clashed with the British.

Gandhi remained committed to non-violence and truth even in the most extreme situations. Gandhi was a student of Hindu philosophy and lived simply, organizing an ashram that was self-sufficient in its needs. He made his own clothes and lived on a simple vegetarian diet. He used rigorous fasts for self-purification as well as a means of protest.

Gandhi's teachings have inspired civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. Gandhi is honoured as the Father of the Nation in India. His birthday on October 2nd is annually commemorated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday.

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