Today marks the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi, the worldwide father of civil disobedience and peaceful revolution. It’s a national holiday in India, as well as a day where the world is meant to reflect on non-violent alternatives. Gandhi began his professional life as a lawyer who fought for civil rights in South Africa, then returned home to his native India for a spiritual and political career that saw him fight for the rights of women and religious freedom. The centerpiece of his work were the peaceful protests he organized, many of which were to stand against the tyranny of outside influences and taxes from the British. Through the power of fasts, sit-ins and other forms of non-violent protest, Gandhi laid the ground work for a number of other peaceful movements worldwide — including the civil rights movement in the United States. Tragically, the man who made his life setting aside violence was assassinated by religious extremist on January 30, 1948, but his memory and his work live on.
Happy Birthday, Gandhi: Wake-Up Video MTV Newsroom
Gandhi (commonly referred to as Mahatma, a word meaning “great soul”) has lived on in depictions in popular culture, most notably in the 1982 film “Gandhi,” directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Ben Kingsley in an Oscar-winning performance in the title role. (“Gandhi” won seven other Academy Awards, including a prize for Best Picture, beating out Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”) He also lives on in Bollywood films and in traditional Indian music. As a tribute to Gandhi and his inspirational work, here’s a clip from the oft-forgotten electronic group Moodswings. Their song “Spiritual High (State of Independence) Part II” was a minor hit in 1992 and featured vocals from Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde.
Mahatma Gandhi Quotes
“I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.” Mahatma Gandhi
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent”. Mahatma Gandhi.
“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth. Mahatma Gandhi
