Mahatma Gandhi

By: Abhinav Gautam
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I am purely amazed by the astonishing personal revolution by which a simple inarticulate man transformed himself into the Mahatma, who ushered the British Empire out of India without even firing a shot. In the age of Empire and Military might he proved that the powerless had power and that force of arms would never prevail against force of spirit. Based on all this, Mahatma Gandhi surely deserved an award, which spoke of his efforts, his fight for freedom and justice and all his other contributions to this world. This award could be given to a few other people also who have been great reformers. It could be given to one who is a reformer, who has fought for the rights of the people, one who has fought against all the injustice, malpractices of this world, for the oppressed people. One who does not use his status, power and military to reform the world but his own might and that force of spirit to make this place a better world. One who displays the courage and conviction to stand for his beliefs. In short, he/she could be called the guiding light for peace in this world. Gandhi's concept of nonviolent resistance liberated one nation and sped the end of colonial empires around the world. His marches and fasts fired the imagination of oppressed people everywhere. Millions sought freedom and justice under Mahatma's guiding light. He proclaimed the power of love, peace and freedom. He fought for the rights of the Indians, for their freedom from the British. His principles surely made a difference in this world. In spite of being treated rudely and paying all sorts of penalties, he was never deterred. Many people, organizations and awards have already acknowledged Gandhi for his efforts. Recently he was rated the runner up Person of the Century second only to the great scientist Albert Einstein who had himself said that " the future generations will scarcely believe that such a man in flesh and blood, had tread this earth." in reference to Mahatma Gandhi. The British Broadcasting Corporation also voted him as the Man of the Millennium. Gandhi is a great man held in universal esteem, a figure lifted from history to moral icon. I would want to show my respect and reverence for him and also want to express that his efforts have not gone in vain and today even the children who are the future generation of this world remember and respect his work. I would like to call this award the "Life and Leaders" award. It would be given to a living or a dead person every year. I would first like to honor the so-called Father of the nation by the Indians, Mahatma Gandhi, by this award.

Word Count: 460