Mahatka gahandi

2.10 Famous Americans.

Mahatma Gandhi

Born: October 2, 1869
Died: January 30, 1948.
Achievements: Known as Father of Nation; played a key role in winning freedom for India; introduced theconcept of Ahimsa and Satyagraha.
Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as Father of Nation played a stellar role in India's freedom struggle. Born in a Bania family in Kathiawar, Gujarat, his real name wasMohandas Karamchand Gandhi (M.K. Gandhi). The title Mahatma came to be associated with his name much later. Before Gandhi’s arrival on the Indian political scene, freedom struggle was limited only tothe intelligentsia. Mahatma Gandhi's main contribution lay in the fact that he bridged the gulf between the intelligentsia and the masses and widened the concept of Swaraj to include almost everyaspect of social and moral regeneration. Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death, famous scientist Albert Einstein said, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this walked theearth in flesh and blood".
Gandhi was married at the age of thirteen to Kasturbai. He was in high school at that time. Later on in his life, Gandhi denounced the custom of child marriage and termed itas cruel. After matriculating from the high school, Gandhi joined the Samaldas College in Bhavnagar. After the death of Gandhi’s father in 1885, a family suggested that if Gandhiji hoped to take hisfather's place in the state service he had better become a barrister which he could do in England in three years. Gandhi welcomed the idea but his mother was objected to the idea of going abroad.After the outbreak of Second World War in 1939, Gandhi again became active in the political arena. British Government wanted India's help in the war and Congress in return wanted a clear-cut promise ofindependence from British government. But British government dithered in its response and on August 8, 1942 Gandhi gave the call for Quit India Movement. Soon the British Government arrested Gandhi...