On this day, January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead.

Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi), born in Gujarat, is regarded as the Father of the Nation. He was a social reformist and leader of the Indian Independence Movement who introduced the idea of non-violent resistance called Satyagraha.

Mahatma Gandhi also wrote extensively for various newspapers and his symbol of self-reliance – the spinning wheel – became a popular symbol of the Indian Independence Movement.

He organized a civil disobedience movement for Indians living in South Africa, he returned to India in 1915. He organized the Dandi Salt March in 1930 and the Quit India Movement in 1942. He also worked for the upliftment of untouchables and have them a new name ‘Harijan’ meaning the children of God.

Gandhi took his first hunger strike at Ahmedabad(1918) for the mill wage hike of workers.

His first Civil Disobedience movement was the Champaran Satyagraha

His first non cooperation Movement was the Kheda Satyagraha.

Mahatma Gandhi described the Cripps’ proposals as a “post-dated cheque on a failing bank”.

RELEVANCE OF GANDHI IN MODERN TIMES

The 21st century is besieged by multiple problems and challenges ranging from terrorism or the deepening moral crisis to negative aspects of globalization; ethnic and religious conflicts or the existing moral crisis, which is the source of economic and financial crises.

It is against the backdrop of these gloomy challenges the world faces today that Mahatma Gandhi philosophy is relevant, even today. Satya (Truth), ahimsa (non-violence), and satyagraha ( holding on to truth, which is the philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance) are still the guiding forces to pull the world from the quagmire.

His methods of non-violent approach to dispute resolution is an important area in peace research. He proposed ideas like Sarvodaya which can be achieved through truth and non-violence.

He also brought about various ideologies focusing on empowering and making villages self-sufficient, women empowerment, sanitation, etc.

In today’s modernized world, world problems are not just limited to internal conflicts and matters. Issues ranging from border management to nuclear issues are emerging around the world and pose a threat to the peaceful existence of humankind.

Already Mahatma Gandhi’s idea was successfully put into practice by the social reform and civil rights movement of Martin Luther King in the USA or the anti-apartheid resistance of South Africa under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.