Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary: The global leader of non-violence movement

Mahatma Gandhi. File Pic.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was not only a freedom fighter but the leader who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule. His movements of civil rights and freedom have inspired leaders across the world.

After the country got Independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi stayed away from politics and started working on the harmony, peace, and brotherhood among the people. However, on January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated Nathuram Godse- a Hindu nationalist. He was killed in the compound of Birla House- now known as Gandhi Smriti, during his evening prayers.

Since then, the Government of India announced the day as Martyrs' Day, to mark the the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The two basic principles or ideals that guided Mahatma Gandhi's life were truth and nonviolence. For him truth was God and realizing this truth as God was the ultimate purpose of life.

Global leader for non-violence movement

The contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards the nation and its independence is known to all. He was not only a freedom fighter but taught the importance of non-violence. Although Gandhi was not the originator of the principle of nonviolence, he was the first to apply it in the political field on a large scale.

Gandhi has been the inspiration for non-violent movements for civil rights and social change across the world. Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to his belief in non-violence even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Mahatma Gandhi always said, "Violence is the weapon of the weak, non-violence that of the strong."

One of the major non-violence movement of Gandhi was the massive civil disobedience to British law as with the historic Salt March of 1930. Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent civil disobedience to eventually overthrow the British.

Despite being thrown in jail numerous times, nothing caused him to drift from his peaceful approach, which eventually resulted in India finally gaining the independence.

Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in the country and worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence to honour his service towards humanity and fight through non-violence.