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Commitment (Indian National Congress)
“I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following." - Gandhi Gandhi decided that he would be an advocate for the rights of his people and committed to his cause by creating the Indian National Congress in 1893. This organization’s objective was for Indians to obtain a larger share in the government and create a platform for civic and political dialogue amongst the British Raj and the Indians. -
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Big Thinker (Peace)
“Nonviolence is an active force of the highest order." - Gandhi
Gandhi realized that violence is not an effective method to get what you want. This is why he battled the British Imperial power through methods of “civil disobedience.” From 1920-1922 he called upon the Indians to refuse to buy British goods, go to government schools, pay British taxes, and vote in elections. He didn't invite them to raise in arms, instead he took political action that was stronger than brute force. -
Persistence (Fastings)
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win.” - Gandhi Gandhi undertook a total of 18 fasting, the longest one lasted 21 days (from September 18 - October 8 in 1924). He would fast and sacrifice the immediate satisfaction of an empty belly with the objective of obtaining future gains (an increase in awareness on the importance of attaining Indian independence. Through his multiple fastings he manifested his strong support for India’s freedom movement. -
Sense of Humor (Talk with Petaling Jaya )
"If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.” - Gandhi Some people like Petaling Jaya who had the honor of meeting Gandhi refer to him as “the smiling one” because of his warm and sunny personality that light up the room. When Jaya met Gandhi in 1925 he remembers how Gandhi would joke around by claiming that there was an “evil land” by quoting Herber. Gandhi would take pleasure and enjoy every passing moment. Above you can see a picture of him having fun while dancing. -
Courage (Salt March)
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” - Gandhi By organizing the Salt March which began on March 12th, 1930, Gandhi defied the British law, which enforced a taxation on salt purchases whose sale mainly corresponded to a British monopoly. By creating the “Salt March” Gandhi risked facing consequences for defying the British law, yet he did so anyways since he knew that this march would be a stepping-stone in India’s attainment of independence. -
Accepts and Uses Power Wisely (Quit India Movement)
"Power based on love is a thousand times more effective than the one derived from fear of punishment.” - Gandhi Although Gandhi was very powerful, he remained very objective and instead of becoming hungry for more power he learned how to control it and use it in a positive way. This character trait is made evident when Gandhi organized the “Quit India Movement” on August of 1942 in which mass protests where organized with the objective of achieving an "orderly British withdrawal" from India. -
Change Maker (Independence Bill)
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world” -Gandhi Gandhi finally achieved his goal with the Indian Independence Bill drafted on August 15, 1947, a year before his death. Since his contribution to the independence movement was so great he is now referred to as “The Father of the Nation in India.” Gandhi achieved this change for the betterment of all people through uniquely peaceful means.
