Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India.¹⁾

His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and he is often referred to as the “Father of the Nation” in India.²⁾

Gandhi's early education was in law in London, where he studied at University College London.³⁾

Gandhi practiced law in South Africa, where he became involved in civil rights activism and developed his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.⁴⁾

The term “Mahatma” means “Great Soul” and was given to him by his followers.⁵⁾

Gandhi was a strong advocate for vegetarianism and practiced it throughout his life.⁶⁾

He started his public career as a civil rights activist in South Africa, fighting against discrimination faced by the Indian community.⁷⁾

Gandhi popularized the concept of “Satyagraha,” which translates to “truth force” or “soul force,” as a form of nonviolent resistance.⁸⁾

He led various campaigns against racial discrimination in South Africa, using nonviolent methods to achieve social and political change.⁹⁾

Upon returning to India, Gandhi became a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.¹⁰⁾

The famous Dandi March, also known as the Salt March, took place in 1930, where Gandhi and a group of followers walked 240 miles to the Arabian Sea to protest the British monopoly on salt.¹¹⁾

Gandhi advocated for the spinning wheel (charkha) as a symbol of self-sufficiency and a way to promote the textile industry in India.¹²⁾

He often wore a simple loincloth and shawl, symbolizing his identification with the poor and downtrodden.¹³⁾

Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence influenced civil rights movements around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for equality in the United States.¹⁴⁾

He was imprisoned numerous times for his acts of civil disobedience.¹⁵⁾

Gandhi had a deep commitment to communal harmony and worked to bridge the gaps between Hindus and Muslims.¹⁶⁾

He fasted as a form of protest, using it as a powerful tool to bring attention to social issues.¹⁷⁾

Gandhi's autobiography, “The Story of My Experiments with Truth,” provides insights into his life, philosophy, and struggles.¹⁸⁾

In 1942, during World War II, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, demanding an end to British rule in India.¹⁹⁾

Despite advocating nonviolence, Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.²⁰⁾

The place where Gandhi was assassinated, Birla House in New Delhi, is now the Gandhi Smriti museum.²¹⁾

Gandhi's birthday, October 2nd, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday in India.²²⁾

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2nd to honor Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance.²³⁾

Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times but never won.²⁴⁾

He had a set of guiding principles known as the “Seven Social Sins,” which included wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, and knowledge without character.²⁵⁾

Gandhi believed in the concept of “Sarvodaya,” meaning the welfare of all.²⁶⁾

He was a strong advocate for women's rights and played a significant role in the Indian women's movement.²⁷⁾

Gandhi undertook numerous fasts for various causes, including communal harmony, removal of untouchability, and protest against British policies.²⁸⁾

The spinning wheel featured on the Indian national flag symbolizes Gandhi's emphasis on self-sufficiency and economic independence.²⁹⁾

Gandhi was influenced by the writings of Tolstoy, Thoreau, and Ruskin, which shaped his ideas on nonviolence and simple living.³⁰⁾

He believed in the power of constructive work, emphasizing that individuals should engage in productive activities for societal benefit.³¹⁾

Gandhi was a strong proponent of education and believed in imparting education that would develop character and instill a sense of responsibility.³²⁾

The famous phrase “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” is often attributed to Gandhi.³³⁾

He experimented with communal living and founded the Phoenix Settlement in South Africa, where people of different races lived together.³⁴⁾

The Indian government issues postal stamps featuring Gandhi regularly to honor his contributions.³⁵⁾

Gandhi's efforts led to the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, which marked a truce between the Indian National Congress and the British government.³⁶⁾

In 1930, Time magazine named Gandhi the Man of the Year.³⁷⁾

The Sabarmati Ashram, established by Gandhi on the banks of the Sabarmati River, served as his residence and the base for many of his activities.³⁸⁾

Gandhi was a prolific writer, and his collected works, known as “The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi,” are a comprehensive compilation of his writings and speeches.³⁹⁾

He was deeply committed to promoting Khadi (hand-spun and handwoven cloth) as a means to uplift the rural economy.⁴⁰⁾

Gandhi's philosophy influenced leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King Jr.⁴¹⁾

The film “Gandhi,” released in 1982, directed by Richard Attenborough, won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.⁴²⁾

The United Nations General Assembly declared October 2nd as the International Day of Non-Violence in honor of Gandhi's birthday.⁴³⁾

The Salt March had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement, mobilizing people across the country in their fight against British salt taxes.⁴⁴⁾

Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire movements for social justice, human rights, and nonviolent resistance worldwide.⁴⁵⁾