Essay on The Father of the Indian Nation:
There have been many leaders who took part in the struggle for India’s freedom. The name of Mahatma Gandhi deserves special mention. He dominated the national movement since 1920. He succeeded in his mission when India got freedom on August 15, 1947. The sole credit for our freedom goes to him. He is, therefore, rightly called “The Father of the Nation”.
The unique thing about him was that he won the war through non-violence. Non-violence was his religion, his everything. He firmly believed that violence gives birth to violence. If we sow the seeds of poison, we can never get nectar. So, he was totally against revolution. He set a unique example of getting independence through non-violence means.
He was a worshipper of truth. Truth was God to him. He never told a lie. He emphasized truthful action. He preached “Satyagraha”. It means insistence upon truth and righteous action. He started “Satyagraha” in South Africa to secure equal rights for black people.
His full name was Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi. He was born on October 2nd, 1869. His father was the Dewan of the state of Rajkot. After completing his school education, he left for England for his Degree in Law. He returned to India but could not establish a practice. He went to South Africa where he plunged into politics.
On his return to India, he was accorded a rousing welcome. After the death of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, he dominated the Indian national movement. He started Satyagraha against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He started the non-cooperation movement against the British in 1919. He was never a member of the Indian National Congress. But he guided it.
It was under the Indian National Congress movement that India got freedom. It was in August 1942 that Congress passed the “Quit India Resolution” under the leadership of Gandhiji. All the Indian Congress leaders including Gandhiji were arrested. He was arrested on many occasions. But the British had to release him under the pressure of public opinion.
He was a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity. He worked earnestly for the achievement of this object. It was with this object that he supported the “Khilafat Movement”. In fact, Gandhi sacrificed his life for this ideal. A fanatic Hindu shot him dead on January 30, 1948, on the plea that he favoured the Muslims.
He was also a great champion of the cause of the untouchables. He christened them as “Harijans”. He was bitterly against untouchability.
He pleaded for the establishment of cottage industries. He himself worked on the spinning wheel daily. All his followers did likewise. It is through cottage industries that we can give employment to all Indians.
He was for the establishment of Ram Rajya in India. He had a dream of India where everyone was equal, where everyone had gainful employment, and where there was no oppression. In fact, his ideal was to “wipe tears from every eye”.
Gandhiji was indeed the greatest and the noblest son of Mother India. Rather, he was one of the world’s greatest men. He changed the course of history. He won the war through non-violence. He showed that path of peace.
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