SADHVI ANANDAMAIYEE GIRI
MAHATMA GANDHI was one of the greatest leaders of his time. He was born on October 2, 1869. Gandhi’s birthday is observed worldwide as the United Nations International Day of Non-violence. Brahma Vidya Peetham International (BVPI) joins the global community in commemorating this momentous occasion.
Gandhiji was a great lawyer, anti-colonialist and political ethicist. He joined the Indian independence movement and led India to independence through non-violent methods (1915-1947). He started work as a civil rights activist in South Africa (1893-1914).
On the request of Bal Krishna Gokhale, he returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and joined the Indian National Congress. India’s partition following independence deeply saddened Gandhiji. He believed in religious pluralism and held a very clear vision for a multicultural society encompassing Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jain, Jews and Sikhs. He made great efforts to remove caste and untouchability.
Gandhi with torchbearers of non-violence
Gandhi’s thoughts and movements featured in American and European newspapers, magazines, books and other media. The greatness of Gandhi’s public role in social and political reform was such that top statesmen and leaders from across the globe eagerly followed his ideals. From Martin Luther King Jr to Steve Jobs, Gandhi has influenced and inspired the lives of many.
Albert Einstein, the great scientist, said, “Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.” Einstein and Gandhi were big admirers of each other and exchanged letters frequently.
American civil rights activist King was a chief advocate for nonviolence. He was profoundly influenced by Gandhi and successfully protested for social change in the US. Like Gandhi, he was internationally recognised as a freedom fighter. They both believed that violence for social reform was unnecessary and that passive resistance and nonviolence can effectively result in social change.
In February 1959, King visited India and was welcomed there with warm support from the Indian people. In his book, My Trip to the Land of Gandhi, King shared his enthusiasm of India stating, “To other countries I may go as a tourist but to India I come as a pilgrim…India is a tremendous force for peace and non-violence.” While there, King visited Gandhi Samadhi, Gandhi’s cremation site.
[caption id="attachment_916507" align="alignnone" width="596"] Sadhvi Anandamaiyee Giri -[/caption]
In 2009, Barack Obama visited the Wakefield High School in the US, where a child asked him, “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” Obama replied, “Well, dead or alive, that’s a pretty big list. You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine.”
Nelson Mandela (late president of South Africa) said, “Gandhi's magnificent example of personal sacrifice and dedication in the
