Mahatma Gandhi 150th Birth Anniversary

Mahatma Gandhi – The Apostle of Truth and Non-Violence

A Leader Who Awakened a Nation

If ever there was a man who single-handedly changed the destiny of a nation — leading it from subjugation to self-belief — it was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, in a Modh Bania family, young Monia, as he was affectionately called, was gentle, curious, and the favourite of his teachers. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, held a respected political position, while his mother, Putlibai, was deeply spiritual and well-versed in matters of state — influences that shaped the young Gandhi’s character profoundly.

Early Encounters with Injustice

Gandhi’s first confrontation with racial arrogance occurred in his early twenties when he visited Sir Charles Ollivant, the Raj’s Political Agent in Kathiawar. When Gandhi persisted in speaking on his brother’s behalf, he was forcibly evicted from the room — a humiliation that left a lasting impression. It taught him a vital lesson: never to approach from a position of weakness and to direct his anger towards arrogance, not the individual.

This lesson deepened during his time in South Africa, where Gandhi faced open racial discrimination. From being ordered to remove his turban in court to the infamous Pietermaritzburg Station incident, these experiences stirred both anger and introspection in him, shaping the foundation of his lifelong philosophy.

The Birth of Satyagraha

In South Africa, Gandhi’s turmoil between violence and forgiveness was resolved when he read Tolstoy’s writings. They profoundly influenced him, teaching him to reject hatred, hoarding, and violence, and to embrace love and truth. This led to the birth of Satyagraha — the force of truth and soul-force that became his moral weapon.

Satyagraha was not merely a political tool but a spiritual principle rooted in truth, courage, and non-violence. Gandhi’s belief that “Violence is the weapon of the weak; non-violence that of the strong” inspired countless movements for freedom and civil rights across the world.

Truth as a Way of Life

From a young age, Gandhi’s devotion to truth was unwavering. Deeply moved by a play about King Harishchandra, who sacrificed everything but his honesty, young Gandhi resolved to live truthfully. His integrity shone through even in small moments — such as refusing to cheat during an exam when prompted by his teacher.

As an adult, Gandhi’s love for truth manifested in complete transparency. His political campaigns were declared openly, his personal experiments were public, and even his critics found space in his publications. For him, Truth was God, and he famously declared, “Innumerable are the names of God; but if a choice were to be made, it would be Satya — Truth. Hence, verily, Truth is God.”

Forgiveness and Humility

Gandhiji’s greatness lay not only in his leadership but also in his capacity for forgiveness. He bore no resentment, harbouring no hatred even towards his adversaries. Once a settlement was reached, he would cooperate with his former opponents with as much sincerity as he had resisted them. His humility was genuine — born of a near absence of ego — and he often reminded others that, “Man finds himself by losing his self-ego.”

A Life Devoted to Service

From his youth, Gandhi’s life was guided by compassion and selfless service. As a teenager, he personally tended to his ailing father daily, sacrificing his own leisure. This spirit of service endured throughout his life — from nursing leprosy patients to inspecting slum sanitation in Bombay. For him, “A life spent in service is the only fruitful life.”

The Ideal of Cleanliness

Gandhiji attached immense importance to cleanliness, both physical and spiritual. He lamented that Indians often neglected public hygiene, believing that without clean surroundings, the nation could never truly progress. He said, “Where there is both inner and outer cleanliness, it approaches godliness.” This belief continues to inspire India’s national movements for sanitation and public health even today.

Philatelic Tribute

To honour the life and legacy of this extraordinary leader, the Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp on Mahatma Gandhi. The stamp pays homage to the man who transformed the moral conscience of the world through truth, non-violence, and selfless service.

Mahatma Gandhi’s life remains an eternal testament to the power of simplicity, conviction, and the unyielding pursuit of truth — values that continue to illuminate the path of humanity.