Why in the news?

Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar on 2^nd October 2024 dedicated the newly constructed Bapu Tower on the occasion of the 155^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Patna. Gandhi Jayanti is annually observed on 2^nd October.

Bapu Tower, Patna

About Mahatma Gandhi

• Early Life and Education
  • Born: on 2^nd October 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.
  • Died: 30^th January 1948.
  • He was honored as the 'Father of the Nation' in India, continues to inspire people across the country.
  • His father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as a respected diwan (chief minister) of the Porbandar state and his mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious and caring individual.
  • He left for London in 1888 at the age of 18 to study law and returned to India in 1891 after completing his law studies.
  • He started his legal practice in India in 1891 but struggled to find success.
  • In 1893, he accepted a contract to work as a lawyer for an Indian firm in South Africa.
  • While in South Africa, Gandhi experienced racial discrimination firsthand, which deeply impacted him.
  • His experiences with racial injustice in South Africa prompted him to fight against such injustices.

Gandhi’s Contribution in Indian National Movement

• Gandhi made his first significant public appearance in February 1916 during the inauguration of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
• He expressed a desire to make Indian nationalism more inclusive and representative of all segments of the Indian population.
• Major Mass Movements by Gandhi
  • Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
  • Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
  • Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
  • Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act (1919)
  • Non-Cooperation Movement (1921-22)
  • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34)
  • Quit India Movement (1942)
• Major Writings of Gandhi
  • The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927)
  • Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule (1909)
  • Satyagraha in South Africa (1928)
  • Key to Health (1948)
  • Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place (1941)
  • India of My Dreams (1947)
  • Truth is God (1955, posthumously)
  • From Yeravda Mandir (1932)
  • My Religion (1957, posthumously)

Mahatma Gandhi