Greetings to one and all present here.
It’s a privilege to give a speech on “Mahatma Gandhi” the most influential person in history “The Freedom Fighter of India” also known as the “Father (Baapu) of the Nation”, who was born on 2nd October 1869 in the “Porbandar” district of Gujrat. The full name of Mahatma Gandhi was “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”. Gandhi Ji influenced many people throughout his life by guiding them to the path of justice, truth, and non-violence.
“Early Stages of Gandhi Ji’s Life”
Gandhi ji was born and raised in a Hindu Family. His father “Karamchand Gandhi” was a Chief Minister (CM), and his mother Putlibai “Karamchand Gandhi” was an extremely religious lady. He was very deeply influenced by his parents. At the age of 19 years, Gandhi Ji moved to London to study “LAW”. During that time he explored many philosophies in religion, which taught him the conceptions of right and wrong decisions.
“Experience in South Africa”
After completing his education In 1893, Gandhi Ji went to South Africa to gain work experience as a lawyer, where he faced many issues. Still, one that deeply affected him was racial discrimination. One major incident happened to him while Gandhi Ji was traveling by train with a first-class ticket but despite that, he was kicked off a train. These experiences deeply affected Gandhi Ji and he developed the Idea of ‘Satyagraha’ or ‘non-violent resistance’.
“Leading Quit India Moment”
In the year 1915, Gandhi Ji came back from South Africa and involved himself in many Independence movements, by which he became very popular in India. Gandhi Ji opted for a simple lifestyle and wore traditional Indian clothes to promote Khadi clothes (homemade clothes) to boycott British goods. Gandhi Ji’s Satyagraha movement became a major tool in the Indian Struggle against the Britishers. He started many movements like the ‘Khilafat Movement’, ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’, ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’ and many more. ‘Salt March’ in the year 1930, was one of the most popular movements. Gandhi Ji walked ‘240 miles’ to the sea to make salt with his followers, openly breaking British laws in public. Millions of Indians were influenced by this movement which caught the world’s attention.
“Principles and Philosophies”
Gandhi Ji believed in ‘Satya’ (Truth) and ‘Ahinsa’ (Non-Violence). He also believed that “How we achieve our goals is as important as the goals themselves”. This principle led him to ‘peaceful resistance’ instead of ‘violent rebellion’. Gandhi Ji’s commitment to ‘non-violence’ applied to all areas of life, including how we behave with others. He also promoted ‘self-reliance’ & ‘economic independence’, which encouraged people to revive traditional crafts and reduce their dependence on British Goods. His vision for India was not just ‘political freedom’ but also to build a country where everyone could live their life with dignity and respect.
“Global Influence & Legacy”
Gandhi Ji’s influence went far beyond the Indian Boundary. His philosophies of non-violence inspired many global movements for civil rights, like “Martin Luther King Jr.'s struggle” in the United States of America and “Nelson Mandela's fight” against apartheid in South Africa. His teachings are still used to inspire people who are fighting for ‘Justice’ & ‘Human Rights’, showing the real power of peaceful protest. Gandhi Ji’s writings and speeches are still widely read and admired by people worldwide. His autobiography, "The Story of My Experiments with Truth," offers deep insights into his ‘principles’ and ‘values’. His continuous dedication to his commitment to ‘truth’ and ‘non-violence’ continues to guide those who oppose ‘oppression’ and ‘injustice’ without using violence.
To sum up we can say that his life taught us the true meaning & the power of ‘Satya’ (truth) and ‘Ahinsa’ (non-violence) in overcoming injustice. On the one hand, his continuous dedication & efforts towards his strong commitment to these principles led our country to independence from the Britishers, and on the other hand, he served as an inspiration for ‘non-violent resistance’ that continues to inspire people from all over the world. As we pay tribute to him through the speech on Mahatma Gandhi, let us attempt to uphold his principles and work together toward a society where ‘Respect’, ‘Equality’, and ‘Peace’ prevail.