Mahatma Gandhi's Benevolence And Contribution To India's Freedom Movement

Perhaps, it is well-known to a great many Indians that India is the birthplace of a host of eminent personalities who have upheld Indian tradition and culture widely throughout the world.

- Subhrendu Bhattacharjya

Among a host of such great persons Mahatma Gandhi's name stands out prominently. It is because he was out and out a great patriot and selflessly served the interest of our country when she was under the subjugation of ruthless Britishers who were bent upon suppressing the legitimate rights of Indians. In such a crucial time, Gandhi's role as a peacemaker was very significant. Now it is to be known who that Gandhi was. In this context, I want to say what Gandhiji spoke about himself. He in his Confession to the Truth unequivocally stated that throughout his life he was a votary of the truth as well as a staunch believer of Ahimsa or non-violence. Besides being a socio-political leader, he was a patriot from head to toe, as said before. He was not an extremist, nor a compromising leader. In a sense, he may be a moderate. It does not mean that he was weak in mood and temperament, his charismatic characteristics justify this. After passing the Matriculation examination, the family members of Mahatma Gandhi wanted him to pursue further studies at Ahmedabad, nearer to Rajkot. However, as time passed by, the decision of his family members was to send him to London for obtaining Bar-at-law degree. Though a vegetarian and weak in English-speaking, he did not deviate from his family decision. With this end in view, he adjusted himself to the environment of London. In due course, he became a barrister; but in the meantime, he himself hired a room for himself to stay in London. Though himself a barrister, he could not start legal profession in London ; Instead he went to South Africa to fight against the apartheid policy, adopted by the white people to consolidate their regime. Later, he made up his mind and sailed for Natal, the sea-port of which is called Durban. It is an important sea-port in South Africa that beckoned him to go there to help the black Africans (i.e. slaves) who were socially, economically and culturally oppressed. They were, so to speak, the