Gandhy,_the_Great_Soul

Gandhi, The Great Soul 2 “The Indian nation called him Gandhiji ‘Mahatma’, meaning Great Soul.” (Indian Child. n.d. P1) One of the most respected spiritual and political leader during the 1900’s; Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is honored by the people of India as the father of their Nation. Mahatma Gandhi was a man that possessed many tactful qualities and skills from a young age. His leadership style is not one in particular, but one that would describe him best would be the “Transformational or Charismatic style of leadership” People will follow a person who inspires them. A person with a vision and passion can achieve great things. This enthusiasm and energy is passed along. He dedicated his entire life to the freedom of his people through spiritual leadership. His long term vision, courage, self-confidence and strong principles of righteousness made him one of the greatest inspirational leaders of his time. This is a man who practiced what he preached. Although, non-violent teachings are taught in Indian culture, Gandhi’s use of these principles illustrated the correct way of rebelling against injustice. This new way of thinking was unheard of at the time. He showed perseverance as a leader because no matter how many times others would put him down he’d continue to fight and stand up for what he knew was right. Gandhi studied law in London. In 1893, at the age of 24 he took on a one year contract with an Indian firm for legal work in South Africa. During this time, South Africa was under British control; Gandhi many times witnessed the constant discrimination directed not only to blacks but also Indians. It has been acknowledged by Gandhi, The Great Soul 3 several biographers as the turning point in his life. Experiencing racism, prejudice and injustice against Indians in South Africa first hand led him to become a social activist. He started to question the status of his people as well as his own place in society. Some of the earlier examples of leadership include, a day in court at Durban, when the magistrate asked him to remove his turban but he refused and left the court immediately. He then wrote a formal complaint explaining the abuse he encountered. Another time was when he was thrown off a train at Standerton, in the Transvaal, after refusing to move from the first class to a third class coach while holding a valid first class ticket. He was even barred from many hotels. Soon after that, he wrote another letter to the head of the railroad about his experience with the racist conductors. Gandhi showed leadership by standing his ground respectfully through simple letters and refraining from any physical force. (Africa needs Gandhi. n.d.) Gandhi returned to India and was turned down for a job as a high school teacher in Bombay. It was during this ordeal that he discovered that he had a passion for drafting memorials and petitions. This led him to the opening of his own small business in Bombay, specializing in writing petitions. “On Aug 22, 1894, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress.” (Gandhi founds the NIC. n.d.) This was one of Gandhi’s many accomplishments. He became the first Indian to be enrolled as an advocate of the Supreme Court of Natal. At a farewell dinner in his honor, Gandhi read about the intentions of the Natal Legislative Assembly to disenfranchise the Indians, and immediately suggested to the Indians that they should Gandhi, The Great Soul 4 resist this attack on their rights. The Indians agreed and asked him to postpone his departure in order to spearhead the struggle. The Natal Indian Congress opened up the door for non-violent revolt and uproar throughout South Africa. This later helped merge forces with the African National Congress, proving a good form of democratic leadership. He was able to influence and feed the people with truth about the ongoing struggles that were hindering his people. Through reflection of his personal ethics he was able to obtain a petition bearing 10,000 signatures that was presented to Lord Ripon, the Colonial Secretary. The British government didn’t pass the Bill. However, in 1896 the Franchise Bill finally became law. To overcome the objections of the Imperial Government, the Act did not mention the Indians but disqualified those who were not of European origin and the indigenous population. This resulted from the embarrassment Gandhi caused the British government through letters and public meetings with national leaders promoting the protests. This was the first time that the Indian people had not only participated in, but also organized an agitation campaign. Gandhi described the vigorous process: "Meetings were held every day and more and more persons attended them. The requisite funds were oversubscribed. Many volunteers helped in preparing copies, securing signatures and similar work without say remuneration.... The descendants of the ex-indentured Indians joined the movement with alacrity. They knew English and wrote a fine hand. They did copying and other work ungrudgingly day and night." (South African History. n.d. P7) Gandhi, The Great Soul 5 Gandhi believed that people’s behavior is more important than what they achieve. He developed and promoted a method of action based upon the principles of courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that non-violence and civil disobedience was the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. He studied religious literature including the Holy Bible, the Koran and Tolstoy’s; The Kingdom of God is Within You. He tried to claim his rights as a British subject, however, instead he was abused and soon realized that all Indians suffered the same treatment. Gandhi stayed 21 years in South Africa working for the rights of his people. In 1896 when Gandhi returned to India, he published a newspaper called, The Green Pamphlet at Rajkot. He tours Bombay, Madras, Poona and Calcutta educating his people regarding the sufferings of the Indians in South Africa. He and his family then, sailed back to South Africa that same year. Another known accomplishment was when Gandhi inspired Indians to be a part of the South African war. He believed this would help them gain full citizenship. He proposed the organization of a volunteer ambulance corps of 300 free Indians and 800 indentured laborers called the Indian Ambulance Corps. It was one of the few medical units to serve wounded black South Africans. Gandhi himself served as a stretcher-bearer at the Battle of Spion Kop. He didn’t just walk the walk, he talked the talk. On September 11, 1906, Gandhi adopted his methodology of Satyagraha (devotion to the truth), or non-violent protest, in Johannesburg. He promoted defiance of the new law without physical force and advised the people to face the consequences for Gandhi, The Great Soul 6 doing so. His exact words were, “I am endeavoring to show to my countrymen that violent non-cooperation only multiplies evil and that as evil can only be sustained by violence, withdrawal of support of evil requires complete abstention from violence.” This plan lead to a seven-year struggle in which thousands of Indians were jailed (Gandhi among them), flogged, or even shot, for striking, refusing to register, burning their registration cards, or engaging in other forms of non-violent resistance. (Gandhi. n.d. P7) The face of peaceful Indian protesters finally forced South African General Jan Christian Smuts to negotiate a compromise with Gandhi. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement. He represents to Indian National Congress, Colonial and Imperial authorities, against locations and restrictions on Indians’ trading rights. He was awarded for the Indian Ambulance Corps involvement in the Boer War. “In 1930, Gandhi launched a new Satyagraha protesting the tax on salt. He marched from Ahmadabad to Dandi, Gujarat to make salt himself.” (Gandhi. n.d. P9) Gandhi led the 400km, Salt March, which consisted of 2,037 men, 127 women, and 57 children from Charlestown. This led to the Irwin-Gandhi pact in which the British government agreed to free all political prisoners in return for the denouncement of the civil disobedient movement. The fact that Gandhi was even able to negotiate with such powerful leaders, depicts strong motivational and advisory leadership skills. Gandhi, The Great Soul 7 Not only did Gandhi show strength through his political views and actions but also through his personal sacrifices. He gave up all of his possessions and didn’t give any thought into material things. He was steadfast in believing that a man’s life and freedom was worth more than any possession. He also fasted to teach others the importance of non-violent actions. For example: “On January 13, 1948 at the age of 78, Gandhi began a fast for five days with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed, the moment that the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting, Gandhi broke his fast.” (Shanker. 1969.) He strived for a united India where Hindus and Muslims could live together in peace. MkGandhi.org highlights five of Gandhi’s contributions as: “There are five great contributions which Mahatma Gandhi gave to the world as follows: (1) A New spirit and technique- Satyagraha; (2) The Emphasis that the moral universe is one and that the morals of individuals, groups, and nations must be the same. (3)His insistence that the means and the ends must be consistent; (4) The fact that he held no ideals he did not embody or was not in the process of embodying. (5) A willingness to suffer and die for his principles. The greatest of these is his Satyagraha.” (Shanker. 1969.) During his endurance for freedom and persevering for what he believed in, he continually displayed many attributes of a great leader. He built relationships with the people of India, toured the country leading all the major movements and constantly held Gandhi, The Great Soul 8 public meetings. He made himself available to others. Gandhi established his credibility through his writings and political movements while in South Africa. People had great respect and hope because of him, due to all the progress he accomplished. His nonviolent methods were honored within the Indian society. His credibility was untouched because he always lead by example. By doing so he empowered the general public. He took the word “change” to a higher level and went as far as abandoning all of his possessions. A glimpse at Gandhi’s journey is enough motivation in itself. He, without a doubt could inspire and move the masses. He was able to show a common man that he could also make a difference. His leadership was based on self-reliance and noncooperation, something everyone should adopt. Gandhi, The Great Soul 9 REFERENCES Shanker, R. 1969. The Story of Gandhi. Retrieved from http://www.mkgandhi.org/storyofg/chap05.htm Mohandas K. Gandhi. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.indianchild.com/mahatma_gandhi.htm Gandhi founds the NIC. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://timelines.com/1894/8/22/mohandes-gandhi-founds-the-natal-indian-congress South African History. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/mohandas-mahatma-karamchand-gandhi Gandhi. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/mahatma-gandhi-55.php Gandhi, The Great Soul 1 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi The Great Soul Clara Marrero Leadership Development