Contributions and Vision of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Gandhi's Vision

Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in India in 1869. This birth was the beginning of a life that would change the course of India and places as far away as The United States and South Africa. Called Mahatma (meaning "Great Soul") by his followers, Gandhi fought for equality and harmony.

After receiving training as a lawyer in England, Gandhi went to South Africa to work for a law firm. It was his experience in South Africa and the policy of Apartheid that lead Gandhi to his principle of satyagraha (non violent resistance). According to Gandhi, this type of resistance requires more bravery and courage than violent resistance. Gandhi is also reported to have said that satyagraha is more than just non violent resistance but it is the "soul force" or "truth force".

After returning to India in 1914, Gandhi became active in the Indian nationalist movement. Included in the goals of Gandhi's vision for India is cooperation between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi encouraged them to work together for a stronger, independent India.

Mohandas Gandhi rejected many Western ideas in favor of a return to India's cultural traditions. In pursuit of this, Gandhi stopped dressing in the Western style. One exception to this return to India's traditions was an opposition to the caste system and his desire to uplift the lowest (untouchable) caste.

Gandhi's vision was for and independent India made up of peaceful and self sufficient villages. Gandhi encouraged inclusion of the untouchable class. He encouraged people to return to traditional Indian lifestyles and to create their own goods withing their villages.

Gandhi worked tirelessly to improve literacy in India's lower castes. He also worked to erase some of the stigma associated with the lower castes in his efforts to uplift the people. He endeavored to improve the living conditions in the peasant villages. His efforts helped to mobilize the lower and middle classes in India's move toward independence from Britain.