Mohandas K. Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is one of the most remembered and respected peace heroes of the 20th Century. During Gandhi's years of working in India and South Africa, he went through humiliating experiences of racial discrimination that propelled him to take a stand. Gandhi’s heroic struggles in life set the stage for people like myself to keep the peace when all else fails.

Gandhi’s philosophy of keeping peace while acquiring his human rights led to triumphant victories. As Gandhi strove to gain the rights of South Africans, he later went on to lead the movement to free India from the British. His religious beliefs consisted of fasting and praying for results, such as, humility and peace all over the realm without blood being shed. These may have been unusual ambitions and aspirations however the remarkable method Gandhi had sent a non-violent hurricane throughout the nation that everyone wanted to be caught within.

Mohandas' actions were based on the principle of truth and non-violence called "Satyagraha"(Furbee 33). In 1913, Gandhi could have chosen violence but decided to step up the practice of Satyagraha since South Africa Indians were being jailed and killed. Six years later, Gandhi formed a non-violent protest and resistance because Indians were killed by British troops. This shows that Mohandas Gandhi was a man on a mission who would soon achieve civil rights for India and South Africa. Gandhi knew it would be some time before civil liberties were given and sovereignty would be established. He knew that by fasting and praying that peace could be established without having a world war that could have caused massive destruction.

Gandhi’s peace-loving philosophy developed more over the course of several years as a reaction to the widespread violence, racial and social divisions (Parekh 59). He promoted non-violence and civil disobedience as the appropriate way to obtain civil liberties. Gandhi’s theory was, “…if enough people protested in this way, the government would listen” (Indian).Gandhi believed his strategy would have long lasting effects. Unfortunately, “Gandhi was arrested time after time by the British for his performance in South Africa and India” (Kheda). He spent a total of seven years in prison for doing the bravest thing of all times. Gandhi could not bring about the change of abolishing violent warfare, but he made a crack in the cornerstone for others to follow.

In 1947 when the threshold of war was approaching nearer each day, “India was granted their independence from Britain and partitioned into India and Pakistan” (Mahatma). Unfortunately, rioting between Hindus and Muslims resulted from India’s freedom. Gandhi was an advocate for a united India, where all could live in peace and harmony. At the age of 78, at the beginning of January 1948, he began his final fasting to end the rivalry. For about five days the nightmares ceased, and both sides agreed to talk. Gandhi broke his fast and worked with the Hindus and Muslims so they both could live in peace. Gandhi worked twelve days until his untimely assassination by a Hindu fanatic who had an antagonistic view of his nonviolent agenda. Some people may ponder over Gandhi’s death, but what he accomplished while living is of more importance. In India, independence was gained and broken hearts were healed. The nation was and still may be a long way from ending warfare, but Gandhi’s work of Satyagraha was a milestone.

At the dawn of the twenty- first century, his legacy for India and the world is still being remembered and honored today. Although he was an idealist, his attitude towards social and political issues makes him a perfect peace hero of the 21st Century. Gandhi used non-violent techniques to gain independence for his people. The great Martin Luther King Jr. used Mohandas’ practices to be a forerunner in leading African Americans free from segregation. Dr. King once said, "Gandhi was inevitable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk"(Williams). It is worth noting, in my opinion, that Gandhi would have accomplished even more deeds if he were still alive to this day. More importantly, when people think of a man with such wisdom, it is best to say, even from the grave the life he lived speaks for itself.

Gandhi is probably one of the most remembered and respected peace heroes of all time. He is one of those heroes we read up on for moral lessons that can improve our lives. It’s not everyday young people my age have the opportunity to witness such role models. Gandhi’s legacy created a culture in which people of all ages, regardless of sex and creed, can relate to. I think if we had more heroes like Mohandas Gandhi, who loved peace, this world would be a better place.