Gandhiji - an inspiration

We asked our readers what it was that inspired people to follow the Mahatma. We received entries from all over the country. Here are a few…

October 01, 2012 05:18 pm | Updated December 05, 2021 09:03 am IST

Illustration for young world

Illustration for young world

October 2 is Gandhi Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. His method of winning Independence for India was unique. He preached and practised non-violence and non-cooperation to achieve his goal. He campaigned to uplift the downtrodden, to ease poverty, expand woman’s rights, build religious and ethnic amity, end untouchability and more.

Unforgettable

What Gandhi achieved in his life was a miracle. He lived in the hearts of millions of Indians and was respected by all. He laid great emphasis on banishing untouchability, promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, promoting literacy and in the development of a great nation —India. He moved the people with his sincerity and sacrifice. At his behest, they were ready to lay down their lives for the freedom of the country from foreign powers. His name lives on. Even after all these years, his principles, dedication and mission continue to inspire the country.

Anusha .A.S., IX, Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 Ambala Cantonment, Haryana

Inspiring

The main reason why people are inspired by Gandhiji is his philosophy of non-violence. He used non-violence to free India from British. His manner of dressing shows us his unwillingness to use foreign products. He always told the people to do their work on their own without depending on others. He tried to eradicate the evil existing at that time — untouchability. These are the reasons why I am inspired by Gandhiji. Though he is not with us today, his great sayings and doings will go on inspiring many people.

Manasi Joshi, IX C, Johnson Grammar School (SSC), Habsiguda, Hyderabad.

Walk in the truth

Gandhiji known as the Father of the Nation and for students like me as Bapu, is the inspiration for millions of people not only during the freedom movement, but even today. He used tools like upavas, satyagraha, ahimsa and non- cooperation to achieve his goal. His most endearing qualities were his insistence to always tell the truth and his disciplined way of life.

Akarash S. V., IX, J. K. English Medium High School, Hubli, Karnataka

Total understanding

I believe the people of India were inspired to follow Gandhiji because he never claimed to be a God or a super human. He admitted his mistakes and never blamed anyone. He was just another simple Indian, and his methods could be easily understood by both the educated and the poor. His humility and depth of understanding in the simplest of actions has made him the “Mahatma”.

DEVIKA JAYADEVAN, X, Amrita Vidyalayam, Pathanamthitta, Kerala

Extraordinary will

Gandhiji has shown us how to live by setting an example. He was an ordinary man with an extraordinary will to live his life according to the principles of truth and nonviolence. What he preached he first practised.

Abhisek Verma, IX, Kendriya Vidhalaya No-1, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Four points

People followed Mahatma Gandhi and respected him because:

- He led a simple life

- He was kind to others

- He always spoke the truth

- He fought the British and gave us freedom

Aadityakrishna V, III A, St. Michael's Academy, Adyar, Chennai

Determination

Gandhiji believed in non-violence and peace. He was a freedom fighter but differed from other freedom fighters because of his determination. He never gave up and he never lost hope, even when his struggle met with failure. He didn't let go of his belief in non-violence.

Juman Ahmed, VIII B, Benchmarks International School, Manjeri, Malappuram, Kerala

Showing by doing

Mahatma Gandhi's life itself is a textbook. He never asked anyone to do anything, but showed everyone how to do it. He is also a true role model for the new generation since he was himself an ideal example for everything he spoke and taught. He inspires because his life still shows the most beautiful picture of love, peace, honesty and truth.

Harisree.K.Bhaji, XII, Mount Carmel Vidyaniketan, Kottayam, Kerala

Positive energy

Gandhiji's truthfullness inspires us the most. He was human like us, but he tried to overcome his weaknesses and succeeded in it. Liberating the country was his true desire and not for any other motive or self interest. Unlike today's politicians, he didn't have dual personality. He didn't crave publicity. People who came in contact with him felt his positive energy.

Shailaja Nagi, V, N.K.Bagrodia Public School, Sector-4 Dwarka, Delhi

Intellectual

The person who freed our nation without even a thought of violence is our Mahatama Gandhi. He was an intellectual and turned negative things to positive. I am inspired by his sense of sacrifice. He experienced joy in giving and uplifting the masses.

KIRTI ROHIL, IX A, Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute,Subroto Park,New Delhi

Simple and peace-loving

Gandhiji led a simple life. He helped people in need without expecting anything in return. He played a significant role fighting against the British rule and making India an independent nation. He encouraged the people of India to fight for freedom and bring peace and harmony to the nation. Gandhiji himself was a peace-loving human being and detested any kind of violence. He did not believe in wars and conflicts as solutions. It is these qualities that Gandhiji exhibited that inspired people to follow him.

Abhinav Roy, IX D, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ballygunge, Kolkata

Fearless

Gandhiji practised simplicity. He was fearless in speaking the truth and he practised non-violent methods to put across his point of view. These principles were first practised by him in his day-to-day life before he asked others to follow them. He gave value to the lives of untouchables, naming them children of God. His nature of feeling the pain of his brethren and fasting for their cause shows his empathy towards human beings.

V. Chaitanya, V-C, Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.

Brave and confident

I am inspired by Gandhi as he was a brave and confident person who followed the path of non-violence (ahimsa). He sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. He was a great leader and is my favourite hero. He showed me simple living and high thinking.

Natasha Valluri, V A, Johnson Grammar School(ICSE), Warasiguda

From the villages

Mahatma Gandhiji had a large following of people from the villages because he said “Graamraajya hi Raamraajya”. It means that if villages live in prosperity with adequate agriculture and irrigation, the village would flourish as if god himself was ruling the village. He meant that the growth of cities and towns depended on the growth of the villages. He believed in “Graamraajya”. So, he told them that this would be the root of India's glorious independence.

T.S.Mahima, VIII A, S.B.O.A.School and Junior College, Chennai

Love for peace

Many people struggled for Indian independence and many people lost their lives during the freedom movement. But, when we talk about Indian Independence, Gandhiji's name comes to our mind first and he is regarded as the “Father of our nation”. What is the reason for this? Gandhiji's simplicity and love towards others made him closer to the common man. At all stages during the freedom movement, he preached and practised only Ahimsa or non-violence.

R. Shalini, VI, Rangarao Lions Matriculation School, Watrap, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu

No fear

According to me what inspired people to follow Gandhiji is his courage and confidence. He never hesitated to be on the path of truth and needed no one to support him. He knew for certain that he was doing the right thing. When we do the right we need not have any fear.

Madeeha Azam, IX, Neo Rosary School, Tolichowki, Hyderabad.

Devotion to work

Gandhiji, affectionately called Bapu, was determined and dedicated towards his work. Satayagraha, the Dandi March, the Non-Cooperation Movement and other kinds of major steps which he took are evidence of his “determination”. He was also dedicated and considered all work to be important.

Achyut Chaturvedi, IX D, Cathedral Senior Secondary School, Lucknow

Patriotism

It was Gandhiji's simple way of living and his strong, determined character that influenced millions of people to rally in support. His concepts of Satyagraha and Ahimsa sparked interest and enthusiasm in many Indians. He inspired patriotism in every single Indian.

Shweta Kallapur, VIII, The East-West School, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.

Inspiring trust

Gandhiji never told people to follow him or regard himself as a leader. He never intended to lead but he chose to follow. He followed the truth and what brought happiness to his people. His simplicity, self confidence, truthfulness and empathetic nature made people admire him. He became a leader not because of the false promises he gave to the people like today's politicians but because of the belief nurtured by the people in his deeds.

P. M. Shanmathy,VIII, Disha A Life School, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu

In the right path

Seek the truth and it will set you free. This was the principle of Gandhiji. The reason why people followed him is because each and every action of his was rational and beneficial to the common man.Today not only we, Indians, but the whole world try to follow his philosophy.

ABHISHEK RAJ, X, Sainik School, Tilaiya, Koderma district, Jharkhand

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