“So long as I can serve India, I shall continue to do so. I love the Indian people as I love none other”, so wrote Annie Besant, in her paper ‘New India’. Born of Irish parents in London on October 1, 1847, Annie Besant made India her home since the day in November, 1893, when she landed at Tuticorin in Tamilnadu. Mahatma Gandhi once said about her that she awakened India from her deep slumber. Few women of her generation had done so much to change people’s minds, beliefs, and attitudes. Till her 46th year when she came to India, Dr. Besant passed through several phases of life including, housewife, and propagator of atheism, trade unionist, feminist leader and Fabian socialist. By 1889, there was scarcely any modern reform in England for which she had not written, spoken, worked, and suffered. In 1908 Annie Besant became President of the Theosophical Society and began to steer the society away from Buddhism and towards Hinduism. Once in India she totally involved herself with the country’s problem. With the theosophical society at Adyar in Madras (now Chennai) as her headquarters, she worked with tireless zeal for the freedom of the country. She named her movement ‘Home Rule’. She started a paper called ‘New India’ for carrying on her furious agendas. She attended for the first time the 1914 session of the Indian national congress and later on became its first woman president in 1917. In the meantime she launched the home rule league but failed to get the support of Balgangadher Tilak who has also started his own home rule league. She was opposed to the Satyagraha movement of Gandhiji as she was a constitutionalist. Dr. Besant was associated with the scouts, movement from 1917 and the women’s Indian association from the same year. She started many educational institutions including the national college at Madanappalli and Hindu college at Banaras. She delivered the kamala lectures of the Calcutta University in 1925. “She tried to follow truth”, she wanted these words to be her epitaph. With her passing away on September 21, 1933 the life of a great political leader, a social reformer and a standard- bearer of Indian culture came to an end.
Gandhi
Jayanti or Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is observed every year as a national
holiday to commemorate the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October
2, 1869 - January 30, 1948). His non-violence or satyagraha continues to
influence political leaders and movements till date. The celebration
and essence of Gandhi Jayanti is not restricted within India and also
observed by the United Nations as the International Day of non-violence
that aims to disseminate his philosophy, principle and believe in
non-violence through proper education and public awareness.
Celebration of Gandhi Jayanti is also a moment to relive Mohandas
Gandhi's life and contribution in India's Independence. Born in a small
coastal town Porbandar in Gujarat, Gandhi married Kasturbai Makhanji at
the age of 13. His childhood memories and experiences are vividly
depicted by him in his autobiography My experiments with truth. Gandhi
at the age of 18 went to England to study law and returned to India in
1915. After his homecoming, he led nationwide stir for achieving
Sawaraj, abolition of social evils, empowering women rights and
improving economic conditions of peasants and farmers. He further
strengthened his movement against the British Raj and led Indians in
protesting Dandi March Salt in 1930 that was later followed by the
popular Quit India in 1942 calling British to leave India.
At Raj Ghat, New Delhi, and across India, people gather to observe
Gandhi Jayanti in innovative ways that includes offering flowers on
Gandhi's pictures, statues and singing his favourite devotional song
Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram.
The government offices, banks, schools and post offices remain closed on
Gandhi Jayanti to pay homage to 'Father of the Nation'. Additionally,
as a tribute to this great soul, the Indian government mint rupee notes
and also issue postage stamp depicting Mahatma Gandhi's photo. In May
19, 2011 at Geneva, a 1948 10 Rupee Mahatma Gandhi stamp was auctioned
for a whopping price of US $205,000 making it a world record as the most
pricey modern postal stamp from any country.
Many ardent followers make effort to preserve Gandhi's belongings, works
and writings through various means with the support of governments and
non-profit organizations. Online portals are also acting as major
contributors in preserving and providing information on Mahatma Gandhi
and about Gandhi Jayanti celebration.
The significance of Gandhi Jayanti celebration transcends beyond
commemorating Mahatma Gandhi's birth and his life as followers renounce
violence and entirely devote themselves to Gandhi's philosophy and
principles of Ahimsa i.e living a life by following non-violence.
The celebration of Gandhi Jayanti conventionally kicks off by singing
praers, offering flowers, lighting candles and garlanding Gandhiji's
photo or statue. Mahatma Gandhi's life and principles has inspired lives
of all ages. And if you are enthusiastic to explore more about him and
Gandhi Jayanti, then Gandhi Jayanti 2012 is the right time to become
familiar with his perpetual and valuable philosophy, and also his role
as an architect of Indian Independence.
There is hardly any one who has not heard the name of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. Most of us had seen him with our own eyes. He was our first Prime Minister. He was an international figure. He was known all over the world. He was the maker of modern India.
His Birth and Parentage:
Pandit Nehru was born at Allahabad in 1889 on 14th November. His father Motilala Nehru was a successful lawyer. He was a rich man. He brought up his son as a prince. He kept most efficient teacher to coach him.
His Education:
He passed his boyhood under the care of the best teachers. At the age of 15 he was sent to England for higher studies. There he joined the public school at Harrow. From this school he went to the Cambridge University. He took his degree in 1910. The he joined law. He was called to the bar in 1912. He returned to India. He began to practice at the Allahabad High Court. He was married at the age of 27.
Work in the Political Field:
In those days India was not a free country. The British ruled over it. The English treated Indians badly. This pained the patriotic heart of Jawahar Lal very much. He gave up his practice and his life of luxury. He joined the Non-cooperation Movement started by Mahatma Gandhi. He was sent to jail several times. He suffered punishment cheerfully. The hardships of jail could not crush his spirit. He continued the struggle bravely. He acted as Congress President in four different years. When India became free on August 15, 1947, he was selected as the first Prime Minister.
His Work as the Prime Minister:
Pt. Nehru was a successful Prime Minister. India made great progress under his guidance. Dr. Rajendra Prasad our late President, acknowledge his services when he said “The country is marching forward on the road of progress in the leadership of Panditiji”. He did a lot for the good of the World. Had Pt. Nehru lived some years more, the country would have reached its old height of glory. He solved some very difficult problems of the country as well as the world.
His Death:
China attacked India in 1962. This attack told upon his health. He never expected that China would prove treacherous. He had heart attack on 27 May 1964 and he passed away from this world. The entire world wept over his death.
His Character:
Pt. Jawahar Lal was a great statesman. He was a very good writer and speaker. He wrote many famous books. His speeches were very impressive. He was a great friend of the poor. He was the servant of the people in real sense. He worked day and night for the good of the country. He loved justice and truth.
Conclusion:
Nehru was a true lover of peace. He laid down five principles called punch shila. He declared that peace could be maintained in the world if all the nations followed these principles. May his should find abode in Paradise!
The period from 1920 to 1947 had been described as the Gandhian Era in Indian Politics. During the period, Gandhi spoke the final word on behalf of the Indian National Congress in negotiating with the British Government for constitutional reforms, and for chalking out a programme for the national movement.
Mahatma Gandhi led the national freedom struggle against the British rule. The most unique thing about this struggle was that it was completely nonviolent.
Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. After finishing his early education in India, he sailed to England in 1891 and qualified as Barrister. In 1894, Gandhi went to South Africa in connection with a law suit.
The political career of Gandhi started in South Africa where he launched a Civil Disobedience Movement against the maltreatment meted out to Asian settlers. In 1916, he returned to India and took up the leadership of National Freedom Struggle.
After the death of freedom fighter and congress leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak on August, 1920, Gandhi became virtually the sole navigator of the ship of the congress. Gandhi had whole heartedly supported the British during the 1st World War (1914-1919). The end of war, however, did not bring the promised freedom for India. So Gandhiji launched many movements to force the British to concede India its Independence. The well known being: Non Co-operation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942).
The British passed the Rowlett Act in 1919 to deal with the revolutionaries. Gandhi made the Rowlett Act an issue and appealed to the people to observe peaceful demonstration on April 6, 1919. Gandhi's call for peaceful demonstration met with tremendous response. It led to mass demonstrations in Punjab and Delhi. The Jallianwala Massacre (1919) was a sequel of this agitation. The Indian people were shocked by the way the British conducted themselves. Gandhi them launched a non-co operation in 1920 against the British rule. On 12th March 1930, Gandhi started his Civil Disobedience with his famous 'Dandi March' to break the salt laws. Many leaders and persons courted arrest. Then followed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for the participation of the congress in the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. On March 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with his proposals which were rejected by all political parties. The failure of the Cripps Mission led to unprecedented disturbances. Disillusioned and disappointed, the congress passed at Bombay the Quit India Resolution (August 8, 1942). The British were asked to leave India forthwith. The moving spirit behind the resolution was Gandhiji. The Quit India Movement was the greatest challenge to the British empire.
Gandhi was a great leader, a saint and a great social reformer. He was pious, truthful and religious. He believed in simple living and high thinking. Every body who came in contact with him were so deeply influenced by his personality. He was a Champion of democracy and was deadly opposed to dictatorial rule. Gandhi showed India and the World the path of truth and non-violence. He believed that it was truth alone that prevailed in the end. Gandhi believed that real India lived in more than five lakhs villages uplift. According to him India's real emancipation depended on Swadeshi i.e. boycott of foreign goods, use of khadi encouragement to village and cottage industries.
Gandhi began to work day and night for the freedom of his country. He and his brave followers went to jail again and again, and suffered terrible hardships. Thousands of them were starved, beaten, ill treated and killed, but they remained true to their master. At last his noble efforts bore fruit and on August 15,1947, India became free and independent. Gandhi defeated the mighty British empire not with swords or guns , but by means of strange and utterly new weapons of truth and Ahimsa. He worked all through his life for Hindu- Muslim Unity and the abolition of untouchability. Gandhi worked hard for the upliftment of the Harijans, the name given by him to the untouchables. Gandhi declared untouchability a sin against God and Man.
Gandhi wrote his famous autobiography under the title 'My Experiments with Truth'. Gandhi always stood for communal harmony, but he himself was shot dead by a religious fanatic Nathuram Godse on 30th January, 1948. The whole World mourned his death.
Concluding Remarks: Some one had quipped: "If they had not thrown Gandhi out of the train in South Africa, the English would not have too much trouble from him." Gandhi, the young Attorney, vowed to oppose such unfair treatment- through non-co operation and other nonviolent means.
Gandhi's ultimate search was for righteous conduct. The means are more important than the end, he maintained; with the right means, desired ends will follow. In time, he was proven right- almost always. His struggles and actions were but external manifestations of his struggle to evolve his own value system. Mahatma Gandhi better known as the father of Nation because it was he who got freedom for us. He was the maker of Modern India.
Lala
Lajpat Rai immensely contributed in attaining independence the
nation.
He helped in establishing few schools in the country. He also
initiated
the foundation of Punjab National Bank. In 1897, he founded the
Hindu
Orphan Relief Movement to keep the Christian missions from
securing
custody of these children. He died after the police
lathi-charged on the
activists, protesting the arrival of Simon Commission.
Life
Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865 to Munshi Radha
Krishna
Azad and Gulab Devi at Dhudike village in Ferozpur District. His
father
was a great scholar of Persian and Urdu while his mother was a
strict
religious lady and inculcated in her children strong morals
values. His
family values allowed Lajpat Rai, the freedom of having
different faiths
and beliefs.
Lajpatrai received his elementary education in the school where his
father was posted as teacher. Lajpat Rai joined the Government
College
at Lahore in 1880 to study Law. While in college he came in
contact with
patriots and future freedom fighters like Lala Hans Raj and
Pandit Guru
Dutt. He studied law from Government College in Lahore and
thereafter
started his legal practice in Hissar, Haryana. Since childhood
he had a
desire to serve his country and therefore took a pledge to free
it from
foreign rule. In 1884 his father was transferred to Rohtak and
Lala
Lajpat Rai came along.
In 1886 the family shifted to Hissar, where he practiced law.
There,
Lajpat Rai helped to establish the nationalistic Dayanand
Anglo-Vedic
School and became a follower of Dayanand Saraswati. In 1888 and
1889 he
was a delegate to the annual sessions of the National Congress.
He moved
to Lahore to practice before the High Court in 1892.
In 1895 Rai helped found the Punjab National Bank,
demonstrating his
concern for self-help and enterprise. In 1897 he founded the
Hindu
Orphan Relief Movement to keep the Christian missions from
securing
custody of these children. In the National Congress in 1900 he
stressed
the importance of constructive, nation-building activity and
programs
for self-reliance.
Gradually, Lajpat Rai had curtailed his legal practice and was
concentrating all his efforts to free the nation from British.
In
October 1917, he founded the Indian Home Rule League of America
in New
York.
In 1920, after his return from America, Lajpat Rai was invited to
preside over the special session of the Congress in Calcutta,
(now
Kolkata). He plunged into the non-cooperation movement, which
was being
launched in response to the Rowlatt Act, in principle. The
movement was
led by Lajpat Rai's in Punjab and he soon came to be known as
"Punjab
Kesri" (The Lion of Punjab).
Author
Besides, a great freedom fighter and leader, Lala Lajpat Rai
was also a
noted writer. The United States of America: A Hindu's
impressions and a
study, History of the Arya Samaj, Swaraj and social change,
England's
Debt to India: India, The Problems Of National Education In
India were
among the books, he had written.
Death
On October 30, 1928 to boycott the arrival of the members of
the Simon
Commission in Lahore, a peaceful procession, headed by Lajpat
Rai was
launched. Intercepting the march, Superintendent of Police,
Scott
ordered his police force to 'lathi-charge' at the activists. The
police
targeted Lajpat Rai, in particular, and hit him on the chest.
The
confrontation left Lala Lajpat Rai with severe injuries and also
led to
his death. To take avenge to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai,
Bhagat Singh
and his associates plotted the assassination of Scott. But, the
revolutionaries, mistaking J.P. Saunders, an Assistant
Superintendent of
Police, as Scott, killed him instead.
Bal
Gangadhar Tilak was a social reformer and freedom fighter. He
was one of
the prime architects of modern India and strongest advocates of
Swaraj
(Self Rule). He was universally recognized as the "Father of
Indian
Movement". Tilak was a brilliant politician as well as a
profound
scholar who believed that independence is the foremost necessity
for the
well being of a nation.
Life:Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on July 22, 1856 in a middle class
family in Ratnagiri, a small coastal town in southwestern
Maharashtra.
Tilak's father, Gangadhar Shastri, was a noted Sanskrit scholar
and
school teacher at Ratnagiri. His mother's name was Paravti Bai
Gangadhar. In 1886, following his father's transfer, the entire
family
shifted to Poona.
Tilak was a brilliant student and also very good in mathematics. Since
his childhood, Tilak had an intolerant attitude towards
injustice and he
was truthful and straightforward in nature. Though, he was among
the
India's first generation of youth to receive a modern, college
education
Tilak was a critic of the educational system, the British had
provided
for the Indians. According to him, the education was not at all
adequate. After graduating from Deccan College, Pune in 1877,
Tilak also
cleared the L.L.B. from the Elphinston College, Mumbai. Later,
he helped
found a school that laid emphasis on nationalism.
Social Reforms
After completing his education, Tilak spurned the lucrative
offers of
government service and decided to devote himself to the larger
cause of
national awakening. He was a great reformer and throughout his
life he
emphasized on the concepts of women education and women
empowerment.
Tilak educated all of his daughters and did not marry them till
they
were over 16. To inspire a sense of unity, he introduced the
festivals
like 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and Shivaji Jayanti'. Today, Ganesh
Chaturthi is
considered as the prime festival of the Marathis. It is a sheer
tragedy
that for his allegiance towards extremism, Tilak and his
contribution
were not given the recognition, he actually deserved.
Newspapers
Towards his goal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak launched two newspapers
called
'Mahratta' (English) and 'Kesari' (Marathi). Both the newspaper
stressed
on making the Indians aware of the glorious past and empowered
them to
be self reliant. In other words, the newspaper actively
propagated the
cause of national freedom.
In 1896, When the entire nation was gripped by the famine and
plague,
the British government declared that there was no cause for
anxiety. The
government also rejected the need to start a 'Famine Relief
Fund'. The
attitude of the government was severely criticized by both the
newspapers. Tilak fearlessly published reports about the havoc
caused by
famine and plague and government's utter irresponsibility and
indifference.
Extremism:
Bal
Gangadhar Tilak joined the Indian National Congress Party in
1890.
Realizing that the constitutional agitation in itself was futile
against
the British, Tilak opposed the moderate views of the party. This
subsequently made him stand against the prominent leaders like
Gopal
Krishna Gokhale. He was waiting for an armed revolt to
broom-away the
British. His movement was based on the principles of Swadeshi
(Indigenous), Boycott and Education. But his methods also raised
bitter
controversies within the Indian National Congress Party and the
movement
itself.
As a result, Tilak formed the extremist wing of Indian National
Congress Party. Tilak was well supported by fellow nationalists
Bipin
Chandra Pal in Bengal and Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab. The trio
was
referred to as the Lal-Bal-Pal. A massive trouble broke out
between the
moderate and extremist factions of the Indian National Congress
Party in
the 1907 session of the Congress Party. As a result of which,
the
Congress split into two factions
During 1908-1914, Bal Gangadhar Tilak spent six years rigorous
imprisonment in Mandalay Jail, Burma. He was deported because of
his
alleged support to the Indian revolutionaries, who had killed
some
British people. Following his growing fame and popularity, the
British
government also tried to stop the publication of his newspapers.
His
wife died in Pune while he was languishing in Mandalay prison.
Tilak returned to India in 1915 when the political situation
was fast
changing under the shadow of World War I. There was
unprecedented
jubilation in India after Tilak was free and back in India.
After seeing
such a grand welcome, Tilak decided to re-unite with his fellow
nationalists and founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916
with
Joseph Baptista, Annie Besant and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Death
Tilak was so disappointed by the brutal incident of Jalianwala
Bagh
massacre that his health started declining. Despite his illness,
Tilak
issued a call to the Indians not to stop their movement no
matter what
happened. He was raring to lead the movement but his health did
not
permit that. Tilak had become very weak by this time. In
mid-July 1920,
his condition worsened and on August 1, he passed away.
Even as this sad news was spreading, a veritable ocean of
people surged
to his house. Over 2 lakh people gathered at his residence in
Bombay
(now, Mumbai) to have the last glimpse of their beloved leader.
