Resumo de What Gandhi Means To Me?

WHAT GANDHI MEANS TO ME?

Mahatma Gandhi with the title of the ?great soul? is the sun of the Indian solar system, radiating peace with his philosophy of non-violence emitting rays of truthfulness and shines in the hearts of millions for his unforgettable contributions.

Like most other Indians, I was aware of the fact what Mahatma Gandhi had done for the countrymen by his active participation in achieving freedom for the motherland from the clutches of the imperialistic rule, through his philosophy of ?Satyagraha? and ?Ahimsa?. But I guess that was all I knew about this little man clad in a loin cloth, earlier.

I had spent my childhood years abroad and had been quite accustomed to a lavish living. It was only a few years back that we flew back to India and settled down here. It was at this point that I came across a book by this storious leader. At first, it was quite difficult to understand his ideologies and his language was quite in comprehensible to me. But going through it with concentration and a deeper understanding was truly an inexplicable experience. His views on various philosophies seemed to contradict my lifestyle in many ways. I was inspired to read more and more about him. My acquaintance with these writings was more like a debate to me, which for once, I was glad to lose.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as ?Bapu? or ?Father of the nation? was born of Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibhai on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar. He passed matriculation in 1818 and graduated in law from England. On his return to India, he failed to become a lawyer because of his extreme devotion to truth. In 1893,he went South Africa as a lawyer to a rich merchant but soon got indulged in politics to help the Indians who were leading a miserable life there. In 1894,he found the National Congress to defend the Indians in South Africa. In 1913, he returned to India and plunged himself in the struggle for independence. He led four Civil Disobedience Movements and was imprisoned by the British several times. In 1942, he lead the Quit India Movement which lead to freedom in 1947, thus fulfilling the dreams of millions.
This is just a brief of the chronological events that took place in his personal life and his political career .Like mentioned earlier, this was exactly the knowledge I had of this magnanimous character.
Going through the ocean of this architect of India?s destiny was truly revolutionizing. At once I realized that it had already started affecting my lifestyle. Though my parents were basically simple, they never laid any restrictions on us children. Hence, I was easily influenced by my foreign friends. I was quite fashionable and led a lavish life. But after reading about the simplicity of Gandhiji?s life, I felt ashamed at the flam buoyancy I had practiced when millions in my country were still under the poverty line.
His words which first struck me like lighting were-?Riches are no test of goodness. Indeed, poverty is the only test. A good man voluntarily embraces poverty.' Soon I was lost in thought Was I capable of embracing poverty?. Though I did not go on to embrace poverty, I have certainly begun to lead a life characterized by simplicity.
Subsequently, Gandhiji?s principles of ?truth? and ?non-violence? appealed to me. Practising his principles of ?Satyagraha? and ?Ahimsa?, Gandhiji had found an inner peace, which he radiated to others and marched through life?s torturous ways with firm and undaunted steps. Going deeply into his experiences and his ?experiments with truth? gave me a ray of hope to achieve what I thought was the impossible.
But now, I find Gandhiji?s ideal world completely different from the world in which I live today. It certainly does pain me to observe how the contemporary politicians have completely deviated from the principle of the ?Great Soul?, who presented them with a free India. The range is from patriotism to nepotism. Will his ideals co-exist with the contemporary world? Have the moral values kept pace with the materialistic march? Again, I was weighed by a beachhead of doubts, whether I was on the right path or not.
?The first maxim of right path is to tell the truth, think the truth and act the truth. ?In one of his books, Gandhiji recalls an incident that took place during his school days. The Educational Inspector who had once come for a visit asked the young Gandhi a question. Gandhi, who had mistaken the answer, was prompted by the teacher. But Gandhi refused to be prompted. If the very person who should serve as an example deviate themselves from the truth, students can easily fall into malpractice I completely agree with Gandhi that it is the parent and the teacher who have the primary role of instilling truth and monitor the children of today into better citizens of tomorrow.

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