THE HIGH SOULED MAHATMA
The Great Gandhiji was the light of India. This light never
goes out. It will burn high for ages to come. He died in body, but his spirit
will ever live to guide his countrymen.
At the time of his birth, Gandhiji brought delight to his
parents and relatives. He was born in a well-to-do family at Pore bunder on the
2nd, October, 369. His father was the Adviser to the ruler of a small state. The truth was all in all to Gandhiji. It was his God. He preached truth-loving
among the people. His mother was a saintly lady. She observed all Hindu fasts.
This devout lady gave a shape to his character in future. In his childhood days, Gandhiji was shy. He never mixed with children older than him.
This man in his later youth became a great speaker. He was
honest and fearless. Once the Inspector of schools visited his class and asked
the children to write down a few words. Gandhiji wrote a word wrongly. The
class teacher gave him a hint to copy the correct word from a slate next
to him, Gandhiji refused to do it. The Inspector left the class. He (G)
explained to the angry teacher that he dared not do a wrong act. On another
occasion, he told a lie. His sick father came to know of this. The little boy
wrote out on a chit of paper that he had sinned. The boy stood while the father
read the content with eyes full of tears. Gandhiji too wept and vowed never to
speak untruth.
During his stay in South Africa, a change came over his
life. There were a good many. Indians living there as workers in various
fields. The white rulers were ill-treating them for no fault of theirs. This
was unjust. Gandhiji organized a struggle against the Whites. All the Indians
joined in the struggle. Their efforts led to success. The White rulers came to
terms with the Indians.
In 1914, Gandhiji returned to India. There was the reign of
terror there. British rulers started oppressing the people Which was
unbearable. Able young men under the leadership of able countrymen determined
to drive out the British. The first Great World War was on its way. Despite the
ill-treatment of the people by the rulers, Gandhiji helped the British with
men and funds. The war came to an end. But the rulers did not grant India
self-government. The Indians rise against them. Oppression by the rulers
reigned high. Gandhiji could not bear this. He wished the people to put up a
hard struggle of disobeying the laws by non-violent means. Gandhiji and
thousand others were put in prison. The movement continued unchecked. There
came the country's call to "Quit India". Unable to arrest the
progress of the struggle for freedom, the wholesale.