Today is “International day of non-violence”. It is also a national holiday in India. There are quite a few famous birthdays today, the most important probably being Mahatma Ghandi.  If you check out Google, their custom logo today is a kick-ass Ghandi logo.

Ghandi’s life was incredibly eventful and is hard to sum up in a simple blog post.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, India.  As a world icon he is best know for his practice of non-violence.

During his stay in South Africa (1893- 1914) Ghandi encountered discrimination due to Apartheid. He was originally to stay in SA for one year only, but extended his stay to help Indian people in South Africa to fight for their civil rights. In 1984 he co-founded the Natal Indian Congress.

In 1915 Ghandi Returned to India where he was responsible for India’s struggle for independence from the British. He started an ashram in Kheda

He was address by the Indian people as Bapu (Father) and Mahatma (Great Soul).

In his struggle against the British was based on the concepts of non-cooperation, non-violence and peaceful resistance.  He criticized both the British oppression and reactionary violence by the Indians.

On 10 March 1922 he was arrested for sedition (incitement off rebellion, treason, agitation).   He served 2 years out of a 6-year jail sentence and was released due to appendicitis.

On 12 March 1930 the Salt March from Ahmedabad to Dandi commenced in protest of the tax on salt.  The British arrested over 60,000 people. The government decided to negotiate with Ghandi.  In March 1931 Lord Edward Irwin signed the Ghandi-Irwin pact, agreeing for the British to release the prisoners and for the Indians to quit their civil disobedience.  Ghandi was invited to attend the Round Table Conference in London as the representative of the Indian National Congress.

Lord Willingdon (Irwin’s successor) embarked on a new campaign to subdue and control the Indian nationalists.

In September of 1932 Ghandi embarked on a 6-day fast.  In May of 1933 Gandhi held a 21-day fast of self-purification in aid of the Harijan movement.

Three  unsuccessful attempts were made on Ghandi’s life in 1934. In 1946 their was a 4th assassination attempt and on 20 January 1948 there was a 5th.

When World War II broke out he insisted that India would not help the British unless they were granted independence.  On 9 August 1942 he was arrested again and he was once again jailed for two years. He was release on 6 May 1944 due to ill health. At the WW (II) the British announced returning the reigns to Indian hands. Ten thousand political prisoners were released from prison.

India gained independence On 15 August 1947, but at the same time Muslim-majority areas were partitioned to form Pakistan.

Ghandi was shot on 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot during his nightly walk by Nathuram Godse, who was executed with hi co-conspirator on 15 November 1949.  The 30^th January is celebrated in India as Martyr’s Day.

Ghandi left a lasting impact on the world.

Some of his principals were:

• Non- violence
• Vegetarianism
• Faith
• Brahmacharya (spiritual and practical purity)
• Simplicity.

On an entertainment note:

The role of Ghandi was portrayed by Ben Kingsley in the movie Ghandi (1982). The film was written by John Briley and Directed by Richard Attenborough.

Other Birthdays on 2 October

1890: Groucho Marx (Comedian)

1895: Bud Abbott (Abott and Costello)

1936: Johnnie Cochran (OJ’s attorney)

1945: Don MacLean (American Pie)

1949: Lorraine Bracco (Actress)

1951: Sting  (Gordon Sumner)

1968: Jana Novotna  (Tennis player)

1970: Kelly Rippa (Actress)

Source: Wikipedia, Brainy History.