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— Scott Allison and George Goethals
Einstein was right. With all the violence and corruption and cruelty we see on a daily basis, it’s hard to believe that such a man as Gandhi could exist– and could have such an impact. But he is the type of man who will be remembered. That’s because he is a true hero– a real-life hero as archetypal as any in fiction– who inspires individuals and nations alike. He is living proof of what Humanity can be, and will one day be.
Great essay again, Scotty and George, and perhaps the best choice yet.
Gandhi was a great thinker. He is a part of Indian legend. A true hero.
And of course he left a mark.
He developed some thoughts about Happiness. I know about that because of my blog. He was incredible with words. A quote I remember is:
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Good choice. I agree with RJDiogenes: “Perhaps the best choice yet”
Great profile guys! I’m going to agree with the first two commenters — this was perhaps your best hero yet. I just wish there were some way to re-introduce the man and his teachings to people today. We sure could do with a refresher course in non-violent social and political change.
before reading this article i was under the impression that Gandhi died from self starvation, and not by the hand of one of his followers. Ghandi has left a major impact on todays society, and his name is being put to more use, because of this war that is going on. Peace, and unity are some of the common issues we are trying to spread, and Ghandi made the ground for us to build on.
Gandhi was a man who believed that non-violence was the only way to live life. Never raising his hand to anyone, and always abiding by the laws. Even when provoked, he never let the ignorance of another man get under his skin.
Gandhi’s philosophy on converting people rather than coercing the wrong-doers is inspirational. Gandhi’s use of non-violent protests and the spreading of peace throughout the world have inspired many other people to do the same. ALthough he has passed, his teachings continue to live on.
Gandhi’s story is incredibly inspirational and herioc. He taught that passivism, is an equally, if not more, powerful tool than physical violence in the fight against intolerance and inequality.
There isn’t much of an argument anyone could put up against Gandhi being a hero. He brought forth a new, effective way of rebellion–peaceful rebellion. He showed that people could make change without doing wrong. To fight against something that’s wrong without ever committing an act of evil requires an unbelievable amount of patience and self control. Although he was assassinated for speaking out, his actions were well worth the time and effort he put forth. He changed life for an entire race for the rest of forever.
Ghandi’s incredible patience, non-violence, and inner peace make for an unusual hero, in a world where movies and books are filled with heroes with high-tech weapons or super-human strengths. But there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest heroes of all time. I’ve always loved his quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world” because it shows that the path to heroic acts starts with one person who is brave enough to oppose an established majority and that person could be you.
The Indian Sub-continent where Ghandi applied his revolutionary non-violence movement philosophy is split in to 3 countries now. No doubt, Ghandi is worshiped especially at current India. However, they have a historic tendency to make an idol of anything extra-ordinary and warship it. Gandhi is no exception. His philosophy may appear unique to a westerner but will it be unfair to make an account that what we got in return for following Gandhi’s philosophy?
Sub-continent got Independence. However it was not as same as American independence from Britain. American citizens fought a war with British, won the war. They expelled British and snatch independence at their own “terms”. Yes, at their own “terms”.
It was for Ghandi’s philosophy , Indian citizens failed to do the same. There were many leaders like Shuvash Chandra Bose who tried to expel British by force and snatch independence on our terms.
Indian Independence was awarded to Indian leader by British. They awarded independence on “their terms”. not at the terms of people of India. It could happen only because of anti-violent theory of Gandhi.
The result is hostility between India and Pakistan. Thousands lost their lives at the time of partition. Thousands lost their property, theirs land and their identity apparently for no real reasons. They lost everything within a few hours or minutes at 14th, 15th August, 1947 and after. Who will take responsibility of that!Till now, both the countries are very much successful to keep the hostility awarded by the British, spend billions at defense budget, keeping the Gun barrel pointing to each other all the time! This is only one example. There are hundreds of disadvantages of an awarded independence.
True, Gandhi’s non-violent theory sounds great. “Love”, “don’t hate” etc. great words! Especially at present when Al-quieda spreading violence through-out the world.
Well, Gandhi’s philosophy will continue appear great to those who do not have to suffer the consequence of his philosophy. But thousands of my forefathers lost their lands and identity as a result of political game of the leaders. Forced to live in refugee status at a place they never wanted to.
Gandhi is like Martin Luther King in many different ways, he believed in non violence and that is the type of life he led. One thing that amazes me is how patient both of these men were patience is a virtue that many people dont have and they learned how to do this very well and this is one that to me that makes them heros
gandhi was a very good man 🙂
trackcellphone has a point. It may contradictory to the popular belief and evaluation on Gandhi.
I found an interesting point, that Gandhi was invited to India from South Africa by Birla, one of few big Indian merchant family to take care of Indian politics against British. Birla family’s motto was to drive British out so that they could grab and monopolize the India’s market.
Very interesting post on Gandhi, the great leader of India from trackcellphone and Ohare limo. But, brothers, I think you are stretching many things unnecessary in the wrong direction. Any one studied Indian politics of that era would agree with me.
Gandhi’s politics never revolved around two nation theory throughout his political career. He forced to agree on spliting the nation at the last moment. There are several reasons behind it.
1. The divide and rule theory of the British was so deep rooted in the society that it was virtually impossible to arrange an agreement of the two parties(Hindu and Muslim) on anything!
2. Some Hindu and Muslim leaders were violently on the side of splitting the country.
3. This was the most important one, The newly elected British PM announced first that India must be independent within few months, later declared that, no matter what, British will pull out withing weeks. That made Gandhi agree on splitting as the other leaders like Nehru, Patel, Ginna etc. were all in favour of splitting.
So reluctantly, Gandhi agreed on splitting India and do not forget brothers, that he paid the price with his life for that.
I think blaming the great leader for partition of India is not just at all!
Mahatma Ghandhi is a renown figure in India and he was assassinated for his active social movements. He is considered to be a hero by many because he made a big change in his country.
A Great man who led down the foundation of Indian democracy and changed India totally.A great salute to him.
I really like to read about Mahantma Gandhi. I really like his principles. I am really great full about this post containing lots of information about Gandhi.
A man like Mahatma Gandhi revolutionized the way successful protest should be done. Although peaceful protest is still greatly outweighed by violent protest, Gandhi showed the world that it is possible to not use violence. He desired for everyone of all religions to coexist and everyone should have this approach. It is hard to believe a man with ideal principles existed, but he definitely left his impact on the world.
Mahatma Gandhi was truly a hero, and a unique hero in that he accomplished great things without once relying on violence. In today’s world of superhero movies, it is often seen that although the heroes get the job of saving the victim done, it is not without some bloodshed or violent interaction with the villain. Gandhi proved that violence is not necessary, and that one can make real changes in society simply by leading by example. Indeed, Gandhi’s example is one that we all should follow, even in our everyday stressors and frustrations that might evoke negative reactions from us. If we focus on having inward peace as Gandhi did, then an outward expression of peace might naturally follow.