Mahatma Gandhi
The ultimate Peacekeeper
Mahatma Gandhi
The life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi was well
documented by an Award winning film some years ago.
To better know this humble man whose life touched so many,
do read his autobiography or watch the excellent film, Gandhi.
Gandhi was defined by his purist beliefs.
This peace seeking man who preferred life in a commune
with few worldly goods was elevated to legendary status
when he began wearing a homespun breech cloth.
A single act that helped to inspire a revolution.
The British, who seemed at a loss in controlling either Gandhi
or his followers, misunderstood this complex situation.
Gandhi’s simplicity proved to be quite provocative to those who
foolishly believed that he could be silenced if incarcerated.
The sum total of Gandhi’s life is impossible to capture in a few words.
He was larger than life, which is paradoxical as he chose
to exist at the lowest level humanly possible.
His steadfast determination to achieve Democracy
through non violent, non co-operative protests
are what made him immortal.
When these measures failed to bring the results that he sought,
he would fast until the violence that he abhorred, stopped.
Gandhi’s style of Humanitarian struggle for freedom
would be imitated by many who followed him.
His “nonviolent, non co-operative resistance,” would
become the mantra for generations of freedom seekers,
like Martin Luther King, Jr., César Chávez and Nelson Mandela.
The following is a simple quote, but it nearly completely
encompassed Gandhi’s philosophy about removing
the British Empire from both India and South Africa.
The General said – “You don’t think we’re just going to walk out of India!”
Gandhi replied – “Yes. In the end, you will walk out. Because 100,000 Englishmen
simply cannot control 350 million Indians, if those Indians refuse to cooperate.”
The sad fact that Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize
is a “big regret” to quote the Nobel Foundation.
It is hard to imagine another whose life was more
devoted to Peace than Gandhi, but then he probably
would not have cared for such a material thing anyway.
He believed that all things in life should be truly simple.
And finally, this is a really lengthy, but very well done
documentation of Gandhi’s life by Wikipedia,
whom I often criticize for their inaccuracies.
tahtonka - A Journey Through Global Culture 
Reji Stephenson
May 25, 2014 at 10:58 AM
Really interesting post about one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Gator Woman
May 25, 2014 at 11:09 AM
We are in complete agreement.
I could have written a hundred pages, or more, but feared my readers might object.
I have sitting right next to me, an original copy of his 1927 Autobiography.
It is in a plastic bag to protect it~
There will never be another like him and the world could really use his wisdom right now!
Reji Stephenson
May 25, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Really interesting to hear that you have his autobiography.
Gator Woman
May 25, 2014 at 11:17 AM
I treasure it!
Reji Stephenson
May 25, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Even being an Indian by birth, I don’t even have a copy of it.
Gator Woman
May 25, 2014 at 11:24 AM
You must do as I used to do when I lived in L.A.
Spend every weekend in used book stores.
My copy dated 1927, cost me $.50.
They are out there, just be tenacious.
Reji Stephenson
May 25, 2014 at 1:21 PM
O.K, I have to start collecting books like that.
Gator Woman
May 25, 2014 at 2:00 PM
I did this nearly 30 years ago~
So, don’t give up!
Anjali
July 20, 2014 at 12:58 PM
You’ve have encapsulated, his complex life, so well! And it makes me feel so happy and once again – it brings home to me the fact that, all our differences are so very superficial and true humanity and love transcends all boundaries, no matter what they might be! And wow – for having his autobiography – I don’t! except his newest ones! Have you read his ‘my experiments with truth?’ I think it’s available on the net for free downloads…though not sure. I haven’t read it completely – but whatever I did read – took my breath away at the brutal honesty of the man, warts and all. He was the first to admit his own faults!
Gator Woman
July 20, 2014 at 1:09 PM
What an Honor you have given to me.
Anything we would write about this man could only be a meager attempt to describe him.
He was a simple, complex, gift to Humanity.
The book that I spoke of here, is my most treasured of all of my books.
I read it completely when I first got it and then zipped it up in a bag to protect it.
It was an unexpected read.
As you say, he was brutally honest about himself, but could we have expected any less?
Please do try, whenever you are here to read about some of the others,
especially Father Damien and Dr. Dixit.
God Bless~
Anjali
July 20, 2014 at 1:12 PM
I most certainly will! Thank you for sharing and best wishes and love…:)
Gator Woman
July 20, 2014 at 1:13 PM
Right back to you~