Yesterday marked the 65th death anniversary of Mahathma Gandhi :

FATHER of modern INDIA

Premasara EPASINGHE

“The ambition of the greatest man of our generation, who dedicated his noble life to wipe out every tear from every eye, who build the “Mansion of India”, where all her children may dwell with peace and harmony; the great architect of free India; Father of our Nation our Mahatma Gandi is no more. It is with sadness, with sorrowful eyes and heavy heart, I have to say, our beloved “Bapuji” - Gandhi; who embodying the old spirit of Great India; who held aloft the “Torch of Freedom,” who lighted up the darkness that surrounded us, is no more, it is an irreparable loss, not only to India, but also, to the entire world.

The light is no more. We pledge today, on this sad day, the Torch of Freedom, which our beloved “Bapuji” lighted, will not be blown off, how high the wind or stormy tempers is. As the Prime Minister of India, I appeal to you, on this darkest hour, to pay your highest reverent homage to our Great Son of India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.”

The above sentiments were expressed by the great statesman, Prime Minister of India Pandit Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, on January 30, 1948, addressing the nation, over Air India on the day the Great Indian National Leader and Patriot Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.

While attending prayers at his “Ashram” assasin Nathuram Godse, shot this Great Leader of men.

As a student of Indian history, I compile these few lines to pay my humble tribute to the Man of the 20th Century. Gandhists were highly respected men in India. They belong to Bania Caste. They were grocers. Their roots were from Kathiawad States. Mahatma Gandhi’s father was Kaba Gandhi. He was a powerful member of Rajasthanik Court, an influential body for settling disputes between the chief and their fellow men.

Kaba Gandhi married four times. His last wife was Putlibai. They were blessed with a daughter and three sons, youngest was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Kaba Gandhi had some religious influence and culture. He listened to discourses on Hinduism. His wife Putlibai was a highly religious minded gracious lady. She used to attend to daily prayers and visit Haveli – Vishnu Temples regularly. She never missed a ‘Chaturmas” - a vow of fasting and semi fasting during the rainy season. She was level-headed and intelligent.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 02, 1869 at Porbandar – known as Sudampuri. Gandhi was a shy boy. His best companions were books and school lessons. He married at the age of seven to Kasturbai, according to the tradition of Indian culture prevailing at that time. He was an extraordinary child.

Education

Gandhi was not considered as a slow learner at High School. Teachers liked him. He was never a lover of sports. He never took part in gymnastics, cricket or football. His shyness may have been one of the reasons for this disliking of sports. His teacher at school motivated Gandhi to learn Sanskrit. His name was Krishnaskhar Pandya. He attended the High School. His head-master was Dorabji Eedujiji Gimi. In 1887, he passed the Matriculation, joined Samaldas College.

Tragedy struck the Gandhi family when Kaba Gandhi died. As Mohandas grew up, one thing took deep root in him. The conviction morality is the basis of things and that truth is the substance of morality. Truth, non-hatred, non-violence became Gandhi’s sole objectives.

With a lot of difficulties, Gandhi got the green-light to proceed to England. After passing the Law Examination, Gandhi was called to the bar on 10th June 1891 and he was enrolled in High Court on 11th and on 12th, he took the ship and returned home.

After spending few days in Bombay, Gandhi, decided to proceed to South Africa. When, he reached South Africa at the Port of Natal – one of his friends, Abdulla Sheth was there to receive him. After a few days, Gandhi started to practise in South Africa. He was known as “Coolic Barrister” - the Indian Merchants were called “Coolie Merchants”. From Natal, Gandhi went to Pretoria.

He stayed in Durban for a few days and obtained a first class ticket by paying five Shillings extra, to travel to Natal. The train reached the Capital of Natal Maritzburg. A white Railway Officer, shouted at Gandhi stating that “Coloured Men”, “Coolies” cannot occupy these first class compartments.

He mentioned that coloured people must go in the van compartment. Gandhi explained and showed to the officer, that he bought a first class ticket. Dut to “Aparthaid Policy” in South Africa, the whites never spared, coloured men. They were deprived of their human rights. The police were called. Gandhi was pushed out from the train with his bag and baggage. At that time, due to winter, cold was very severe.

The incident moulded Gandhi to a fighter against the British Imperialism in South Africa as well as home – India. Before leaving South Africa, he addressed the Indian Community and stressed the value of Indian unity, to fight against British Imperialism. In South Africa, Sheth Abdulla was a tower of inspiration to him.

Fighter for rights

The whites in South Africa considered “Blacks” and “Indians” as outcastes. Gandhi supported the Indian community in Nepal in 1893. The Indian Community Leader in Natal, was Sheth Haji Mohammed Haji Dada. Gandhi fought for their political rights.

In 1896, Gandhi returned home. He visited Bombay, Poona, Madras, Kolkata. He was seeking assistance of all parties and people. Gokhale, Bhandarkar, Subash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru played an important role with Gandhi, in the independence struggle of India. Gandhi organized many Hartal, Sathyagraha campaigns. His main weapon was non-violence and Ahimsa. Gandhi was a gallant non-violence warrior.

The Britishers imposed many taxes on Indians. Gandhi and his followers, men, women, young and old, youth and children, they marched to Amritsar agitating the British Government should remove the “Salt Tax”. As Amritsar about 350 people were shot by the Britishers. They were peaceful marchers.

Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand, called Mahatma (Great Soul) – 1869-1948, was an Indian Nationalist, a person who believes in “Pacifism”, belief that all war is morally wrong and that disputes should be settled by peaceful means. Such as person is known as a Pacifist.

Great son

He led the struggle for independence from the Britishers, by advocating non-violent, non-cooperation – Sathyagraha. Gandhi was imprisoned many times by the British Authority. For number of generation, Great Britain, considered India, as a kind of countryhouse they owned. The Britishers exploited the Indians.

Mahatma Gandhi can be considered as one of the great sons born in India. The greatest son born in the Indian soil (Bharat) was Prince Siddhartha Gautama, Founder of Buddhism, originated in India in 500 B.C., which presently has a following of six billions of Buddhist approximated, honoured and worshipped throughout the world. Then, there was Asoka, one of the greatest of Emperors of India.

Gandhi’s real entrance into politics in his participation of Congress proceedings was at Amritsar. Congress Leaders like Nehru, accepted Gandhi and they were followers of this great man. These greatmen – Gandhi, Gokahle, Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Subash Chandra Bose were imprisoned many times by the Britishers.

They were all great national leaders who put the country before self. Gandhi was the only statesman to stand for a higher human relationship in the world. He was a rare national leader who forcefully and convincingly demonstrated the power of spirit over material things, in the struggles against the Britishers who he fought passionately.

His greatness was that he kept his hand clean. Gandhi fought without malice, falsehood or hate. Gandhi was the conscience of all mankind. He loved not only men, but also animals. Thats why he boldly said once, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.