Mohandas Gandhi

     Mohandas Gandhi's legacy lives on all over the world today. In India, he is known as the "Father of the Nation". He is even featured on every form of paper money. In addition, his birthday is a national holiday. Several statues, memorials, and paintings depicting him can be found everywhere--including the spot where he died. One such memorial can be found at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple Lake Shrine. The Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial was constructed at the temple in honor of him, and it even contains a small portion of his ashes.

(Pang, Sneha. Photograph. Pacific Palisades. Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial. 14 Feb. 2009.)

     Gandhi was one of the first to believe in the power of non-violence and truth, and put both in effect. His work has left its mark all over the globe. South Africa was a land where imperialism and racism could be found everywhere. When Gandhi arrived, the Indians were subject to extreme mockery and political injustices. More than 20 years later, Indians in South Africa had many more liberties, were treated with more respect, and were much better off than they were without Gandhi's aid. India was another country stained with British imperialism and internal conflict. During Gandhi's lifetime, he was able to peacefully drive the British out of the country, reduce some tension between religions, and create a more civil way of political thinking.   

     Many other well-known revolutionists and leaders were known for following and spreading Gandhi's principles of non-violence and truth. Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister in the United States who fought against racism and worked for equality among white and colored people. King read about and was instantly fascinated by Gandhi's work. He adopted the principle of non-violent resistance, and his work in the United States reflected Gandhi's ideas from a different time and place. Albert Einstein was an internationally acknowledged physicist who praised Gandhi's work as well. In a letter addressed to Gandhi, he stated: "You have shown through your works, that it is possible to succeed without violence even with those who have not discarded the method of violence. We may hope that your example will spread beyond the borders of your country, and will help to establish an international authority, respected by all, that will take decisions and replace war conflicts" (Einstein). Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, considered himself a disciple of Gandhi. His work in South Africa included freeing his people of White political rule, and he did so while striving to use Gandhi's principle of non-violence. Many great people were influenced by Gandhi, and spread his ideas to the rest of the world.

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("Gandhi: Pilgrim of Peace". Biography. History Channel. A & E Network, Manhattan. 2005. )

          Although Gandhi's actions were legendary and his influence on today's world is positive, many find his beliefs controversial. When India was being split into a Hindu region and a Muslim region called Pakistan, Gandhi objected and was devastated when the event occurred. The Indian National Congress approved of the partition, and the Muslims accused Gandhi "for being unwilling to share power with Muslims" (Biography of Gandhi, 1). However, Gandhi himself stated that he would rather the Muslims and Hindus cooperated peacefully in India, and not have the country divided based on religious disputes. He "heatedly opposed the idea of a partition of India and did his best to bring all sides together" (Rosenberg, 4). Gandhi's loyalty to his religion has also been questioned and criticized many times. In fact, he was murdered by a man who thought Gandhi favored another religion over his own. Gandhi, a Hindu, always worked against racism and the inequality it brought. In South Africa, he fought for equal rights for Indians. In India, he attempted to bring Hindus and Muslims together. What his accusers didn't realize was that it was his opposition to racism that motivated him to create peace between Muslims and Hindus--not a biased favor of Muslims.

     Tributes to Gandhi's great deeds add to his legacy today. Hundreds of books, articles, websites, and pamphlets were written on him. He was Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 1930, and in 1999, he was listed as their second most influential Person of the Century. 

(Mohandas Gandhi Time 30 June 1947. Digital Image. 2008. 2 Jan. 2009 <http://www.whoswho.com/topic/7908/mohandas-gandhi-time-magazine-30-june-1947.htm.>)

In 1982, the film, Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough and Govind Nihalani, was released and it won seven of its eleven nominations at the Academy Awards. Many films about Gandhi were released in Hindi as well-- Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara in 2005, Lage Raho Munnabhai in 2006, and Gandhi My Father in 2007.

    Gandhi's "teachings were as revolutionary as those of Jesus of Nazareth" (Asby, 371). His work became a benefit to everyone, no matter where they lived. He helped many people in the days he lived, and his accomplishments are still remembered today in many different shapes and forms.