N. Theyo
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born at Porbander in Gujarat on October 2, 1869. He is also called ‘Father of the Nation’. He single-handedly led the struggle of Indian’s Freedom movement through Non- Movement and truth (Ahimsa and Satyagraha) which was acclaimed internationally.
Gandhi’s father died before ha could finish his schooling and at the age of thirteen he married Kastrurba who was even younger than him. In 1893, Gandhi set sail for England where he had decided to pursue a degree in law. Ironically, it was in London that he was introduced to Bhagawad Gita. With sheer determination and single minded pursuit of his purpose, he accomplished his objective and finished his degree from the Inner Temple. Thereafter, Gandhi left for South Africa to join as a Legal Advisor to an Indian Businessman where he stayed for more than 20 years. It was in South Africa where he conceived the idea of Satyagraha to signify his theory and practice of Non- Violence resistance. Gandhi believed that Satya (truth) which could be attained through none other than Ahimsa (Non- Violence, love). Gandhi returned to India in the early 1915.
On his return to India Gandhi set up an Ashram near Ahmedabad and took the vow of truth, Non-Violence, celibacy, fearlessness, self control, removal of untouchability, use of Khadi and other Indian made products. His philosophy of non-violence, non-cooperation and Satyagraha compelled British Imperialism to come to an end. He was a firm believer in purity of means for achieving any end.
By 1920, Gandhiji became the accepted leader of the Indian National Congress. The congress adopted his philosophy of Satyagraha, Non- Violence and non-cooperation. Gandhi tried to appeal to the conscience of the evil doer without demeaning himself by hating him. This remains the guiding principle throughout his life. Gandhi was imprisoned on several occasions during 1930, 1933 and 1942 when he went on a hunger strike as part of campaign of the Civil Disobedient movement. However, later he collaborated with the British to gain independence for India in 1947.
Gandhi fought tooth and nail for his country’s freedom. But to him freedom did not mean simply liberation of the country, freedom from foreign rule. His concept of freedom ‘Freedom or Purna Swaraj’ connoted not only political freedom but also emancipation of man from all evil-social, political, economic etc. He believed in ‘Sarvodaya’ or Affluence for all. All through his life he worked for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden.
It is also appropriate to mention here that when Naga delegation under the leadership of Phizo met Gandhi at Bhangi Colony, New Delhi on July 19, 1947, he said, “The Nagas have every right to be independent.” When the Naga leaders informed him that they would declare themselves independent on August 15, 1947, Gandhi asked in humor, “Why not now? Why wait for August 15?” Such was his attitude and approach towards the Nagas political issue.
Late Dr. Albert Einstein in his observation sawed Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest political genius of the modern world. He further sawed the power of his idea and is bound to grow in the years to come.
This great saint-cum politician fell victim to an assassin’s bullet on January 30 1948 at 5:12 P.M.
The writer is the chairman, Nagaland Peace Centre, Kohima
