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First Rank in State in Secondary School Examination
First Rank in University in Plus Two
First Rank in IIT Entrance Examination
First Rank in All India IIT Computer Science
First Rank in IAS Entrance Examination
First Rank in IAS Training Institute
On passing out from IIT Chennai Mr. Narayanaswamy was offered scholarship by the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology , USA .. He who came from a middle class family believed that he had a moral obligation to give something in return for the lakhs of rupees the government spenton him as an IIT student. He had the intelligence and conviction to realize that this money came also from the poorest of the poor - who pay up the excise duty on textiles when they buy cloth, who pay up customs, excise and sales tax on diesel when they travel in a bus, and in numerous other ways indirectly pay the government. So he decided to join IAS hoping he could do something for the people of this country. How many young men have the will power to resist such an offer from USA ? Narayanaswamy did never look at IAS as a black money spinner as his later life bears testimony to this fact.
After a decade of meritorious service in IAS, today, Narayanaswamy is being forced out of the IAS profession. Do you know why?
A real estate agent wanted to fill up a paddy field which is banned under law. An application came up before Narayanaswamy who was sub collector the, for an exemption from this rule for this plot of land. Upon visiting the site he found that the complaint from 60 poor families that they will face water logging due to the waste water from a nearby Government Medical College if this paddy field was filled up was correct. Narayanswamy came under intense political pressure but he did what was right - refused permission for filling up the paddy field. That was his first confrontation with politicians.
Soon after his marriage his father-in-law closed down a public road to build compound wall for his plot of land. People approached Narayanaswamy with complaint.
When talking with his own father-in-law did not help, he removed the obstructing wall with police help. The result, his marriage broke up.
As district Collector he raided the house of a liquor baron who had defaulted Rupees 11 crores payment to government and carried out revenue recovery. A Minister directly telephoned him and ordered to return the forfeited articles to the house of the liquor baron. Narayanswamy politely replied that it is difficult. The minister replied that Narayanaswamy will suffer.
In his district it was a practice to collect crores of rupees for earthen bunds meant forpoor farmers, but which were never constructed. A bill for rupees 8 crores came up before Narayanaswamy. He inspected the bund. He found it very weak and said that he will pass the bill after the rainy season to ensure that the bund served the purpose. As expected the earthen bund was too weak to stand the rain and it disappeared in the rain. But he created a lot of enemies for saving 8 crores public money. The net result of all suchunholy activities was that he was asked to goon leave by the government. Later such an illustrious officer was posted as "State Co-Ordinator, Quality Improvement Programme for Schools". This is what the politician will do to a honest officer with backbone - post him in the most powerless position to teach him a lesson. Since he foundthat nothing can be achieved for the people ifhe continued with the State Service he opted for central service. But that too was denied on some technical ground.
What will you do when you have a brilliant computer career anywhere in the world you choose with the backing of several advanced technical papers too published in international journals to your credit?
When you are powerless to do anything for the people, why should you waste your life asthe Co-Ordinator for a Schools Programme?
Mr. Narayanaswamy is on the verge of leavingIAS to go to Paris to take up a well paid United Nations assignment. The politicians can laugh thinking another obstacle has beenremoved. But it is the helpless people of this country who will lose - not Narayanaswamy. But you have the power to support capable and honest bureaucra ts like Narayaswamy, G.R.Khairnar and Alphons Kannamthanam who have suffered a lot under self seeking politicians who rule us. You have even the power to replace such politicians with these kind of people dedicated to the country. The question is will you do the little you can do NOW? At least a vote or word in support of such personalities?
Showing posts with label Famous Persons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Famous Persons. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best singers of the Hindi film industry. She is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the mostrecorded artist in the world. It is estimated that she has more than 30,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in 20 different languages from 1948 to 1987. Now, it must way over 40,000! Lata Mangeshkar was born on 28th September, 1929 in a place called Indore. Her father Dinanath Mangeshkar was a renowned classical singer himself. Lata was introduced to musicat a very young age. The life history of Lata Mangeshkar is truly fascinating. Read this short biography of Lata Mungeshkar.
Lata Mangeshkar was very young when her father passed away, thus making the family dependant on Lata. To take care of her family's economic situation, Lata acted in as many as 8 films from 1942 to 1948. She debuted as playback singer in a Marathi film named Kiti Hasaal (1942). Unfortunately the song was edited out. Her first Hindi playbackwas for the film Aap ke Sewa Main (1947) but she did not get noticed. At that time, the film industry was ruled by female singers who had heavier and huskier voices like Noor Jehan, Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali. While auditioning for the movie Shaheed (1948), she was rejected on the account of her thin voice! But Ghulam Haidersaw the potential in her and gave her a chance to sing in the film Majboor.
The song Dil Mera Toda finally got her noticed and it was touted as her breakthrough song. In 1949, she had four major hits from the films Barsaat, Andaaz, Dulari and Mahal. The song "Aayega Aanewala" from Mahal was a huge hit and Lata secured a firm position in the industry. The husky voices of all other singers becameobsolete in front of the high pitched voice ofLata Mangeshkar. The music industry had a huge makeover with the arrival of Lata Mangeshkar. By the late 50's, the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar known as Asha Bhonsle also came into the scene and they both were touted as the unbeatable voices of the industry.
Lata rose to fame rapidly and made her indelible mark in the industry. She has sung with famous singers like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, etc. She has perfected almost every genre of music. Her success and determination made her one of the most powerful women in the industry. She refused to sing for the great composer S.D Burman due to some misunderstanding and also stopped singing with Mohammed Rafi. Her power was so immense that they had to come back to her. She actually monopolized the music industry and every music director wanted to work with her. Sheunderstood the requirement of each song and sang flawlessly.
Lata Mangeshkar has been honored with innumerable awards but the one that truly deserves a special mention is that she is the only second singer in the non-classical category (after M.S Subbulakshmi) in India tohave received the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. She has received three national awards and eight Filmfare awards after which she stopped accepting awards in order to promote new talent. She continues to sing every now and then for Hindi movies and perform live. Truly a living legend, Lata Mangeshkar has a talent that is second to none.
Lata Mangeshkar was very young when her father passed away, thus making the family dependant on Lata. To take care of her family's economic situation, Lata acted in as many as 8 films from 1942 to 1948. She debuted as playback singer in a Marathi film named Kiti Hasaal (1942). Unfortunately the song was edited out. Her first Hindi playbackwas for the film Aap ke Sewa Main (1947) but she did not get noticed. At that time, the film industry was ruled by female singers who had heavier and huskier voices like Noor Jehan, Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali. While auditioning for the movie Shaheed (1948), she was rejected on the account of her thin voice! But Ghulam Haidersaw the potential in her and gave her a chance to sing in the film Majboor.
The song Dil Mera Toda finally got her noticed and it was touted as her breakthrough song. In 1949, she had four major hits from the films Barsaat, Andaaz, Dulari and Mahal. The song "Aayega Aanewala" from Mahal was a huge hit and Lata secured a firm position in the industry. The husky voices of all other singers becameobsolete in front of the high pitched voice ofLata Mangeshkar. The music industry had a huge makeover with the arrival of Lata Mangeshkar. By the late 50's, the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar known as Asha Bhonsle also came into the scene and they both were touted as the unbeatable voices of the industry.
Lata rose to fame rapidly and made her indelible mark in the industry. She has sung with famous singers like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, etc. She has perfected almost every genre of music. Her success and determination made her one of the most powerful women in the industry. She refused to sing for the great composer S.D Burman due to some misunderstanding and also stopped singing with Mohammed Rafi. Her power was so immense that they had to come back to her. She actually monopolized the music industry and every music director wanted to work with her. Sheunderstood the requirement of each song and sang flawlessly.
Lata Mangeshkar has been honored with innumerable awards but the one that truly deserves a special mention is that she is the only second singer in the non-classical category (after M.S Subbulakshmi) in India tohave received the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. She has received three national awards and eight Filmfare awards after which she stopped accepting awards in order to promote new talent. She continues to sing every now and then for Hindi movies and perform live. Truly a living legend, Lata Mangeshkar has a talent that is second to none.
Monday, April 16, 2012
A R Rahman (Allah Rakha Rahman)
Allah Rakha Rahman was born on 6 January 1966 as A. S. Dileep Kumar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian film composer, record producer, musician and singer. His film scoring career began in the early 1990s.He has won fourteen Filmfare Awards, eleven Filmfare Awards South, four National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe.
A. R. Rahman was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a musically affluent Mudaliar Tamil family. His father R. K. Shekhar, was a Chennai based composer and conductor for Malayalam films. Rahman lost his father at the age of 9 and his family rented out his father’s musical equipment as a source of income. He was raised by his mother Kareema (previously called Kashturi). During these formative years, Rahman served as a keyboard player and an arranger in bands such as “Roots”, with childhood friend and percussionist Sivamani, John Anthony, Suresh Peters, JoJo and Raja.
Rahman is the founder of the Chennai-basedrock group, “Nemesis Avenue”. He played thekeyboard and piano, the synthesizer, the harmonium and the guitar. His curiosity in the synthesizer, in particular increased because, he says, it was the “ideal combination of music and technology”. He began early training in music under Master Dhanraj. At the age of 11, he joined, as a keyboardist, the troupe of Ilaiyaraaja, one of many composers to whom musical instruments belonging to Rahman’s father were rented. Rahman later played in the orchestra of M. S. Viswanathan, Ramesh Naidu and Raj-Koti, accompanied Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and L. Shankar on world tours and obtained a scholarship to the Trinity College of Music where he graduated with a degree in Western classical music.
He was introduced to Qadiri Islam when his father was dying and his younger sister fell severely sick. He describes the process as taking five years; he along with other members of his family converted to Islam in 1989 when he was 23 years old. He changedhis name to Rahman.
Rahman obtained a degree in western classical music from the Trinity College of Music in London, and set up his own in-house studio called Panchathan Record Inn at Chennai, arguably one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech studios. Later byworking in India’s various film industries, international cinema and theatre, by 2004, Rahman, in a career spanning nearly two decades, had sold more than 150 million records of his film scores and soundtracks worldwide, and sold over 200 million cassettes, making him one of the world’s all-time top selling recording artists. He was described as “India’s most prominent movie songwriter” by Time magazine in 2005.
His works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres, new technology and traditional orchestral arrangements. Time magazine has referred to him as the “Mozart of Madras” and severalTamil commentators have coined him the nickname Isai Puyal. In 2009, Time magazineplaced Rahman in its list of World’s Most Influential People.
Though his film career started in 1992, Rahman at the age of 9, in 1975, had accidentally played a tune on piano during his father’s recording for a film, which R.K.Shekhar later developed into a complete song “Vellithen Kinnam Pol”, for the Malayalam film “Penpada”. This track credited to his father, was sung by Jayachandran and penned by Bharanikkavu Sivakumar.
He is married to Saira Banu and has three children, Khatija, Rahima, and Ameen. Rahman made his son Ameen sing the track “NaNa” from Couples Retreat and his daughter Khatija the track “Pudhiya Manidha” from Enthiran. Rahman is the uncle of composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, who is the son of Rahman’s elder sister, A. R. Reihana. She debuted in film singing on the track “Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae” from Kannathil Muthamittal. He is the brother-in-law of Malayalam film actor Rahman.
He had become an atheist as a result of childhood struggles, and eventually in 1989 converted to Islam, the religion of his mother’s family. In an interview with Time magazine, he said that he embraced Islam through Sufism. He is very devoted to his mother. During the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, he paid her a tribute saying: “There is a Hindi dialogue ‘mere pass ma hai’which means even if I have got nothing I have my mother here.”
Despite being a former atheist, Rahman began his own catchphrase, “Ella pughazhum iraivanukke”, a sentence in Tamil which literally means “All praises dedicated to God”. The phrase was further popularized after Rahman uttered it during his speech at the 81st Academy Awards ceremony.
A. R. Rahman was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a musically affluent Mudaliar Tamil family. His father R. K. Shekhar, was a Chennai based composer and conductor for Malayalam films. Rahman lost his father at the age of 9 and his family rented out his father’s musical equipment as a source of income. He was raised by his mother Kareema (previously called Kashturi). During these formative years, Rahman served as a keyboard player and an arranger in bands such as “Roots”, with childhood friend and percussionist Sivamani, John Anthony, Suresh Peters, JoJo and Raja.
Rahman is the founder of the Chennai-basedrock group, “Nemesis Avenue”. He played thekeyboard and piano, the synthesizer, the harmonium and the guitar. His curiosity in the synthesizer, in particular increased because, he says, it was the “ideal combination of music and technology”. He began early training in music under Master Dhanraj. At the age of 11, he joined, as a keyboardist, the troupe of Ilaiyaraaja, one of many composers to whom musical instruments belonging to Rahman’s father were rented. Rahman later played in the orchestra of M. S. Viswanathan, Ramesh Naidu and Raj-Koti, accompanied Zakir Hussain, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and L. Shankar on world tours and obtained a scholarship to the Trinity College of Music where he graduated with a degree in Western classical music.
He was introduced to Qadiri Islam when his father was dying and his younger sister fell severely sick. He describes the process as taking five years; he along with other members of his family converted to Islam in 1989 when he was 23 years old. He changedhis name to Rahman.
Rahman obtained a degree in western classical music from the Trinity College of Music in London, and set up his own in-house studio called Panchathan Record Inn at Chennai, arguably one of Asia’s most sophisticated and high-tech studios. Later byworking in India’s various film industries, international cinema and theatre, by 2004, Rahman, in a career spanning nearly two decades, had sold more than 150 million records of his film scores and soundtracks worldwide, and sold over 200 million cassettes, making him one of the world’s all-time top selling recording artists. He was described as “India’s most prominent movie songwriter” by Time magazine in 2005.
His works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres, new technology and traditional orchestral arrangements. Time magazine has referred to him as the “Mozart of Madras” and severalTamil commentators have coined him the nickname Isai Puyal. In 2009, Time magazineplaced Rahman in its list of World’s Most Influential People.
Though his film career started in 1992, Rahman at the age of 9, in 1975, had accidentally played a tune on piano during his father’s recording for a film, which R.K.Shekhar later developed into a complete song “Vellithen Kinnam Pol”, for the Malayalam film “Penpada”. This track credited to his father, was sung by Jayachandran and penned by Bharanikkavu Sivakumar.
He is married to Saira Banu and has three children, Khatija, Rahima, and Ameen. Rahman made his son Ameen sing the track “NaNa” from Couples Retreat and his daughter Khatija the track “Pudhiya Manidha” from Enthiran. Rahman is the uncle of composer G. V. Prakash Kumar, who is the son of Rahman’s elder sister, A. R. Reihana. She debuted in film singing on the track “Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae” from Kannathil Muthamittal. He is the brother-in-law of Malayalam film actor Rahman.
He had become an atheist as a result of childhood struggles, and eventually in 1989 converted to Islam, the religion of his mother’s family. In an interview with Time magazine, he said that he embraced Islam through Sufism. He is very devoted to his mother. During the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, he paid her a tribute saying: “There is a Hindi dialogue ‘mere pass ma hai’which means even if I have got nothing I have my mother here.”
Despite being a former atheist, Rahman began his own catchphrase, “Ella pughazhum iraivanukke”, a sentence in Tamil which literally means “All praises dedicated to God”. The phrase was further popularized after Rahman uttered it during his speech at the 81st Academy Awards ceremony.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Bhagat Singh
There were so many leading lights in India’s freedom struggle. India’s fight for independence was a united cause in which thousands of people participated and sacrificed their lives. Indian history is rich with such heroes who made incomparable contributions to the country’s freedom. Some of them are still remembered by us even after60 plus years of achieving freedom. One suchlegendary fighter was Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He is credited to shape the grand nationalist movement of the country. He was a prominent revolutionary whose role in the freedom struggle of India cannot be measured with words. Born on September 27, 1907 at Banga in Lyallpur district to Kishan Singh and Vidya Vati, Bhagat Singh had patriotism in his blood. His father and uncle, both were great Indian freedom fighters who also served terms in prison for their active participation.
During his school days, Bhagat Singh had actively followed the Non-Cooperation Movement called by Mahatma Gandhi. He was ardent follower of Gandhi Ji’s philosophy untilBapu withdrew the movement in protest to Chauri Chaura incidents. Bhagat Singh was not convinced with this decision and aligned himself with Young Revolutionary Movement. Bhagat Singh flatly refused to marry to the girl of his family choice citing his passion for India’s freedom struggle. He joined various radical and revolutionary groups like Hindustan Republican Association, Kirti Kisan Party and Naujawan Bharat Sabha.
To avenge the death of leading freedom fighter Lala lajpat rai, he planned assassination of Scott, the Superintendent of Police who had ordered lathi charge that led to Lala Ji’s death. He mistook J.P.Saunders as Scott and killed him instead. He fled to Lahore and to hide his identity, he shaved his beard and cut his hair, against the tenets of Sikhism.After the formulation of Defence of India Act, he and his party members conspired to explode bombs inside the assembly premises.He along with Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the corridors of the assembly and shouted ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and Sukhdev was charged with the murder. Singhwas asked to tender apology but he refused and made strong statements against the British rule. Bhagat Singh was finally sentenced to death and was hanged in Lahore on March 23, 1931. He was regarded as a Shaheed (Martyr) by his supporters and followers. Indian film industry has made several wonderful films based on the eventfullife of Bhagat Singh.
During his school days, Bhagat Singh had actively followed the Non-Cooperation Movement called by Mahatma Gandhi. He was ardent follower of Gandhi Ji’s philosophy untilBapu withdrew the movement in protest to Chauri Chaura incidents. Bhagat Singh was not convinced with this decision and aligned himself with Young Revolutionary Movement. Bhagat Singh flatly refused to marry to the girl of his family choice citing his passion for India’s freedom struggle. He joined various radical and revolutionary groups like Hindustan Republican Association, Kirti Kisan Party and Naujawan Bharat Sabha.
To avenge the death of leading freedom fighter Lala lajpat rai, he planned assassination of Scott, the Superintendent of Police who had ordered lathi charge that led to Lala Ji’s death. He mistook J.P.Saunders as Scott and killed him instead. He fled to Lahore and to hide his identity, he shaved his beard and cut his hair, against the tenets of Sikhism.After the formulation of Defence of India Act, he and his party members conspired to explode bombs inside the assembly premises.He along with Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the corridors of the assembly and shouted ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and Sukhdev was charged with the murder. Singhwas asked to tender apology but he refused and made strong statements against the British rule. Bhagat Singh was finally sentenced to death and was hanged in Lahore on March 23, 1931. He was regarded as a Shaheed (Martyr) by his supporters and followers. Indian film industry has made several wonderful films based on the eventfullife of Bhagat Singh.
Rani Lakshmibai
If we have to name one freedom fighter who was an epitome of courage and bravery then it must be Rani Lakshmibai. She was a leadingwarrior who left an indelible mark on the history of Indian freedom movement. Rani Lakshmibai was an inspiration for following women freedom fighters. She successfully redefined the role of women in Indian society. A symbol of generosity, patriotism, resistance, perseverance and self-respect, Rani Lakshmibai sacrificed her life on the altar of Indian freedom struggle. British rulersfeared her and Indians revered her valour. She was also known as ‘Rani Lakshmi Bai or Rani of Jhansi’.
Rani Laxmibai was born on November 19, 1828 in a high class Brahmin family. Her initial name was Manikarnika or Manu as her family members affectionately used to call her. Along with her formal education, she also took training in adventurous skills like horse riding, fencing and shooting. At the age of 16, she got married to the Maharaja ofJhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao. Rani Lakshmi Baigave birth to a child who unfortunately did not survive for long. Soon, Raja Gangadhar Rao fell sick and they decided to adopt Damodar Rao as their son. But the king did not survive for long and died on November 21, 1853. It shows the courage of Rani that she survived so many deaths at such a young age. Yet, she kept going and gradually took over all the responsibilities.
As soon as the Raja Gangadhar Rao died, the British Governor General Lord Dalhousie planned to take over Jhansi on the pretext that it did not have any legal heir. Damodar Rao, the adopted son was not considered as the legal heir of Jhansi and that set the ball rolling. Rani was asked to leave the fort and settle somewhere else. Rani Lakshmibai refused to surrender to British and called for an armed forces battle. She formed an army that had men warrior as well as women who were provided military training. During the battle in March 1858, she fought bravely for the Jhansi but finally British prevailed. She moved to Gwalior and Kalpi where she met Tantya Tope. But her battle did not last long and she lost her life in the battle of Gwalior. She breathed her last on June 18, 1958. The story of Rani Lakshmibai inspired generations of freedom fighters.
Rani Laxmibai was born on November 19, 1828 in a high class Brahmin family. Her initial name was Manikarnika or Manu as her family members affectionately used to call her. Along with her formal education, she also took training in adventurous skills like horse riding, fencing and shooting. At the age of 16, she got married to the Maharaja ofJhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao. Rani Lakshmi Baigave birth to a child who unfortunately did not survive for long. Soon, Raja Gangadhar Rao fell sick and they decided to adopt Damodar Rao as their son. But the king did not survive for long and died on November 21, 1853. It shows the courage of Rani that she survived so many deaths at such a young age. Yet, she kept going and gradually took over all the responsibilities.
As soon as the Raja Gangadhar Rao died, the British Governor General Lord Dalhousie planned to take over Jhansi on the pretext that it did not have any legal heir. Damodar Rao, the adopted son was not considered as the legal heir of Jhansi and that set the ball rolling. Rani was asked to leave the fort and settle somewhere else. Rani Lakshmibai refused to surrender to British and called for an armed forces battle. She formed an army that had men warrior as well as women who were provided military training. During the battle in March 1858, she fought bravely for the Jhansi but finally British prevailed. She moved to Gwalior and Kalpi where she met Tantya Tope. But her battle did not last long and she lost her life in the battle of Gwalior. She breathed her last on June 18, 1958. The story of Rani Lakshmibai inspired generations of freedom fighters.
MAHATMA GANDHI
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. He became one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the 1900's. GandhiJi helped free the Indian people from British rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by Indians as the father of the Indian Nation.
The Indian people called Gandhiji 'Mahatma', meaning Great Soul. At the age of 13 Gandhi married Kasturba, a girl the same age. Their parents arranged the marriage. The Gandhis had four children. Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he tookon a one-year contract to do legal work in South Africa.
At the time the British controlled South Africa. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people.
He developed a method of action based upon the principles of courage, nonviolenceand truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civildisobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement.
Using the principles of Satyagraha he led the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for his political activities.
More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent. India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned intoIndia and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindusand Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace.
On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion assassinated him.
The Indian people called Gandhiji 'Mahatma', meaning Great Soul. At the age of 13 Gandhi married Kasturba, a girl the same age. Their parents arranged the marriage. The Gandhis had four children. Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he tookon a one-year contract to do legal work in South Africa.
At the time the British controlled South Africa. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people.
He developed a method of action based upon the principles of courage, nonviolenceand truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civildisobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement.
Using the principles of Satyagraha he led the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for his political activities.
More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent. India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned intoIndia and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindusand Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace.
On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion assassinated him.
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