Hello! You might be wondering where I am today. Well this was a very important place in Gandhiji’s life. It is called Mani Bhavan. When Gandhiji lived in Mumbai, this was where he stayed and planned the Independence struggle. Today is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhiji’s birthday and In honour of his birthday every year, 2nd October is National Holiday.Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869. He was also fondly called Bapuji because he was known as the Father of the nation and Mahatma because he was a “great soul”.  On 15 June 2007 The United Nations General Assembly announced that October 2nd will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

He was born in Porbandar, a small town in Gujarat. He studied law in U.K and then worked as a lawyer in South Africa. Gandhi lived in South Africa for around 20 years .Gandhi was shocked by the discrimination he experienced as an Indian in South Africa. One day in 1893 South Africa, Gandhiji was travelling to Pretoria in the first class compartment of the train. A white man said that Gandhi could not sit in the first class compartment because he was an Indian. Gandhiji refused to get down because he had a first class ticket. However when the train stopped he was thrown out.  

This train journey changed his life forever. That’s when he decided to stay on in South Africa and fight the racial discrimination against Indians there. 

This is when he developed the concept of “Satyagraha”. Satyagraha means fighting for your rights without non-violence. One must only use truth to fight. He always said that peace and truth are the only weapons a person needs in any war. Gandhiji then returned to India in 1914 and saw the condition of India. He decided that India must rule herself and the British had to leave. He started the 'Satyagraha' (non-violence) movement in India and urged people to fight for independence. He started the Swadeshi Movement which means that Indians use only India made products instead of buying British made items. Supporting Indian business and being economically independent would make Indian citizens stronger. He told people to boycott british made items, their schools and colleges. He inspired Indians to fight for freedom. What you see behind me is Gandhi’s personal spinning wheel which he used to make his own cloth.

Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for removing poverty, increasing women's rights, he worked to create equality among all religions, ending untouchability, but above all he worked hard for achieving an independent India. He played a very important role in achieving independence for India from British rule. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of total non-violence.This year Gandhi Jayanti is even more special as he completes 150 years. Even though Gandhi's teachings are old they still apply in 2019. Gandhi's teachings will help India grow and develop. 

His idea of Satyagraha will ensure that Indians live peacefully and honestly. The problems between religions can be solved by following Satyagraha. Swadeshi. If we follow this and buy only Indian made products, support Indian companies India will become economically stronger. Indians will get jobs and they will develop. Gandhi's teachings will help India become successful in all areas. There is a Famous quote by Gandhi “ Be the change you want to see in the world” This quotes of Gandhiji means that if we want to make changes around us, we have to make that change within us. Only if we change ourselves and like us if others change themselves then the world will change and develop. 

Tags

• Gandhi
• Baapu
• Mahatma

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