Global Citizen Award: Mahatma Gandhi

Introduction

Mahatma (Great Soul) Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) was truly a global citizen, although he primarily worked for the freedom of the Indian nation from foreign rule. He was born to Putlibai Gandhi and Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India, which was then part of the British Empire. His family hailed from a well-known background in 1869. His father worked for the government as the chief minister of Porbandar, and his mother was a deeply pious woman who spent much of her time at a temple and frequently fasted. Gandhi was a man who discerned the good and bad around him. He heard the voices of the people, their pain, and their suffering under the British rule. He chose to oppose it using non-violence because he was a Brahmin, and their ethical code includes never hurting any living creature and always telling the truth.

Early Activism and Global Impact

After graduating, Gandhi returned to India to practice as a lawyer. However, after losing his first case, he was humiliated and decided to accept a job in South Africa. On the way to South Africa, he was thrown out of the business class because of his skin color. This incident became a catalyst for his activism. He established the Indian Congress in Natal to combat segregation and develop the concept of self-purification and "satyagraha"—non-violent civil protest. Gandhi took a vow of celibacy and began wearing what he called his 'mourning robe,' a traditional white Indian dhoti (BBC Timelines, 2018). In 1913, Gandhi organized a strike against a £3 tax on people of Indian descent. He was sentenced to nine months in jail for public disobedience. The strike spread, and the British were compelled to drop the tax and release Gandhi. His victory was reported in England, and Gandhi began to gain international recognition.

Return to India and Fight for Independence

Gandhi returned to India, but during his journey back, he witnessed the pain and suffering under British rule. He decided to protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British to imprison anyone they suspected of terrorism. During that protest, about 400 people were killed, and 1000 were wounded among 20,000 protesters. This massacre convinced Gandhi to start campaigning for Indian independence. His dedication to the cause was unwavering, even as he faced personal losses, including the death of his wife months before his release in 1944. He was imprisoned for refusing to support the British against the Nazis, arguing that Indians were being mistreated at home. Violent protests erupted, demanding Gandhi's release, but Winston Churchill remained firm in his stance. Ultimately, the British could not withstand the growing calls for freedom and began negotiations for India's independence. However, the result was not what Gandhi had envisioned.

The Partition and Its Aftermath

The Mountbatten Plan outlined the formation of two new independent states, India and Pakistan, divided along religious lines. In the capital, Delhi, independence celebrations took place, but Gandhi's vision of a united India was shattered. The Partition triggered mass mutual killings and the chaotic migration of 10 million people. Gandhi left Delhi, traveling to Calcutta to quell the violence by fasting to bring peace. On his way to a prayer meeting at Birla House, he was attacked by a Hindu extremist and shot three times in the chest. In some hard-line Hindu strongholds, there were celebrations at his death, but for most Indians, it was a national tragedy (BBC Timelines, 2018).

Conclusion: The Legacy of a Global Citizen

Mahatma Gandhi is an exemplary recipient of the Global Citizen Award because he fought against racial discrimination in South Africa, led the famous Salt March to Dandi, and launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, demanding the end of British rule. He was a leading figure responsible for India achieving independence. In India, he is also known as the "Father of the Nation." Gandhi's principles of non-violence and truth continue to inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe.

References

• BBC Timelines. (2018). Mahatma Gandhi Timeline. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/timelines/zpdqmp3