His life's message
A. DEVA RAJU
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For Mahatma Gandhi, Satya (Truth) was the goal and Ahimsa (Non-violence) the means. Remembering him on January 30, Martyrs' Day.
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PHOTO: THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY
GANDHIJI: Working towards truth.
January 30 is an important and significant day in the history of events. India celebrates Martyrs' Day, remembering the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
For Mahatma Gandhi, Satya (Truth) was the goal and Ahimsa (Nonviolence) the means.
When Gandhiji was in South Africa, he was travelling by a train and the conductor rudely told him to leave. Gandhiji replied, "Sir, I have a ticket," but the conductor threw him out of the train, saying, "You do not deserve to ride on this train!" Gandhiji, however, did not raise an arm in his defence.
Today, does anyone know the name of the man who threw him from the train? Of course not. But, today the name of that train is "Mahatma Gandhi Train" and the name of the station is "Mahatma Gandhi Station"!
Selfless sacrifice
When India won Independence, Gandhiji was neither in New Delhi nor in Bombay, nor in Calcutta. Rather, he was in East Bengal where Hindus and Muslims were fighting. He was not content to have "fulfilled his mission".
If people were still suffering, then he still had work to do. So, while the rest of the country celebrated, Gandhiji continued his work to heal the differences between Hindus and Muslims.
Gandhiji felt that violence cannot be answered by violence. Humankind can get out of the circle of violence only through non-violence.
There is an interesting story of a man who was travelling with Gandhiji to Porbandar. The man did not know that his travelling companion was Mahatma Gandhi. All through the night, this man occupied the whole berth and to make matters worse also pushed Gandhiji with his feet. There was hardly any space for Gandhiji.
As the train reached Porbandar, the man mentioned that he was going to see the famous Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji remained silent. Gandhiji alighted from the train to a welcoming crowd of thousands.
The man fell at his feet, asking forgiveness. Gandhiji, of course, blessed and forgave him, telling him that he should be more respectful of others, regardless of who they are.
When somebody asked Gandhiji for a message, he replied, "My life is my message".
Men like Mahatma Gandhi come to this world with a message, and their message endures and guides mankind.
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