I've been very interested in him lately and thought it might be interesting to see other people's views of him.
A little about him...
Mohandas Gandhi is one of the great catalysts of gaining India's independance. He's incredibly famous for his approach of peaceful protests, rather than violence. He also was incredibly influential in South Africa for the better treatment of Indian people there.
He was born and raised in the Western State of Gujarat, but throughout his life travelled across the world and spreading his message. He was never one to shy away from admitting he is by no means perfect (for example he ate and desired meat in his life, but later realised he was wrongly lying to his parents and abstained from meat, eventually believing strongly in vegetarianism), but he followed what he thought was right or the truth.
He was also a great philosopher and understood human nature surprisingly well, which is why he trusted people enough to never threaten them physically, but to fight peacefully for what he believed in, knowing full well that he could have lost his life at any point.
He would also fight for equality in Indian society, for women and greater equality in the caste system. However, I think the best way to describe him would be to say he spent his life trying to find "truth".
He was eventually known as Mahatma Gandhi, as people described him as the great soul (Mahatma). He with his approach in life, inspired others, such as Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. The vast majority view his work positively across the globe, though he was never one to avoid controversy, and also has his detractors.
Personally, as I learn more about who he was and what he accomplished, I can only greater feel respect, admiration and love.
Full Version: Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi
Time magazine voted Gandhi as runner-up for most influential man of the 20th century after Einstein (who was himself an admirer of Gandhi):
Person of the Century Runner-Up: Mohandas Gandhi
Person of the Century Runner-Up: Mohandas Gandhi
QUOTE(Jagger @ Jan 21 2007, 10:02 PM) 
Time magazine voted Gandhi as runner-up for most influential man of the 20th century after Einstein (who was himself an admirer of Gandhi):
Person of the Century Runner-Up: Mohandas Gandhi
Correct, Einstein wrote a letter to Gandhi saying about how he admired his work and hoped to meet him in person. I don't think they ever did meet though.
Gandhi was also put up for the nobel peace prize on a number of occasions, but was never given it. Eventually, in the 1940's the award wasn't awarded to anyone after Gandhi's death, as they said "there was no suitable living candidate". Many think Gandhi would have gotten it that year.
Also, in the 1980s when the Dalai Lama was given the award, Gandhi was again greatly credited.
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Jan 22 2007, 09:24 AM)
Correct, Einstein wrote a letter to Gandhi saying about how he admired his work and hoped to meet him in person. I don't think they ever did meet though.
Gandhi was also put up for the nobel peace prize on a number of occasions, but was never given it. Eventually, in the 1940's the award wasn't awarded to anyone after Gandhi's death, as they said "there was no suitable living candidate". Many think Gandhi would have gotten it that year.
Also, in the 1980s when the Dalai Lama was given the award, Gandhi was again greatly credited.
Einstein didn't get to meet Gandhi but he did meet another Indian/Bengali Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore.
Gandhi wasn't given the Nobel Prize probably because he was a non-white man who opposed European colonialism. By the time the Nobel Prize committee changed their minds about him, the man was already assassinated.
QUOTE(Jagger @ Jan 26 2007, 01:07 AM)
Einstein didn't get to meet Gandhi but he did meet another Indian/Bengali Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore.
Gandhi wasn't given the Nobel Prize probably because he was a non-white man who opposed European colonialism. By the time the Nobel Prize committee changed their minds about him, the man was already assassinated.
I believe you're right on both instances. I think should he have gotten the nobel prize, he would have been the first non-white person to do so.
Amazing how a man who fought for India's independance, revolutionised the process of protesting, heavily influenced some of the most admired and highly regarded people throughout history, fought for women's rights and discrimination within the caste system could get so few comments
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Jan 26 2007, 05:21 PM)
I believe you're right on both instances. I think should he have gotten the nobel prize, he would have been the first non-white person to do so.
Amazing how a man who fought for India's independance, revolutionised the process of protesting, heavily influenced some of the most admired and highly regarded people throughout history, fought for women's rights and discrimination within the caste system could get so few comments
You pretty much clarified everything about him, so I don't honestly know what to say.
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Jan 26 2007, 09:21 PM)
I believe you're right on both instances. I think should he have gotten the nobel prize, he would have been the first non-white person to do so.
Amazing how a man who fought for India's independance, revolutionised the process of protesting, heavily influenced some of the most admired and highly regarded people throughout history, fought for women's rights and discrimination within the caste system could get so few comments
The first non-white person to win a Nobel Prize was Rabindranath Tagore in 1913.
QUOTE(Jagger @ Feb 3 2007, 05:23 AM)
The first non-white person to win a Nobel Prize was Rabindranath Tagore in 1913.
He got it for literature though right? I was referring to Nobel peace prize, I'm still not sure if I'm right though.
QUOTE(ExpressYourself @ Jan 26 2007, 09:27 PM)
You pretty much clarified everything about him, so I don't honestly know what to say.
I don't know, was interested to see what people thought about Gandhi's acts, his ideas on religion, social influence on India and philosophy on life.
So far, I can say I know Jatt thinks he's a pussy.
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Feb 3 2007, 04:00 PM)
He got it for literature though right? I was referring to Nobel peace prize, I'm still not sure if I'm right though.
I don't know, was interested to see what people thought about Gandhi's acts, his ideas on religion, social influence on India and philosophy on life.
So far, I can say I know Jatt thinks he's a pussy.
If you consider Argentinians to be non-white, then the first non-white Nobel Peace Prize winner would be Carlos Saavedra Lamas in 1936. The first Asian winner was Eisaku Sato in 1974. If Gandhi was awarded the prize, he would have been the first Asian to win the prize.
Jatt might hate him but we can't deny that Gandhi was one of the most influential men of the 20th century.
QUOTE(Jagger @ Feb 4 2007, 10:35 PM)
If you consider Argentinians to be non-white, then the first non-white Nobel Peace Prize winner would be Carlos Saavedra Lamas in 1936. The first Asian winner was Eisaku Sato in 1974. If Gandhi was awarded the prize, he would have been the first Asian to win the prize.
Jatt might hate him but we can't deny that Gandhi was one of the most influential men of the 20th century.
I would personally say that Argentines in general are white.
Jatt's opinion doesn't really mean much to me anyway. After all, we're talking about the same guy who continuosly claims how Punjabi men are all some kind of fair skinned Hulks, hindus are rat worshippers and that Gujaratis are the biggest sellouts amongst all Indians.
Abit off topic, but the strange thing is that whenever I hear the name Mahatma Gandhi, the first thing that comes into my mind is the face of Sir Ben Kingsley in the movie Gandhi rather than Gandhiji's actual face.
Not a bad resemblance overall
How good is the film? I hear it's meant to be really well done, but haven't actually ever had the chance to see it.
How good is the film? I hear it's meant to be really well done, but haven't actually ever had the chance to see it.
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Feb 5 2007, 01:38 PM)
How good is the film? I hear it's meant to be really well done, but haven't actually ever had the chance to see it.
I've never seen the Gandhi film either but just read about how it won 8 Academy Awards, beating E.T. and Blade Runner at the Oscars. Incidentally, the film E.T. itself was inspired by Bengali Indian director Satyajit Ray's script for an earlier cancelled film called The Alien.
Props to Gandhi 
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOL
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOL
tx pun 
^^ So what makes you feel that way Pun? I'm pretty certain I know where you're coming from, but at the same time, I think you should back up your argument with greater evidence. As for the others you mentioned, it's not like their achievements were ignored and they aren't remembered.
I've never seen the Gandhi film either but just read about how it won 8 Academy Awards, beating E.T. and Blade Runner at the Oscars. Incidentally, the film E.T. itself was inspired by Bengali Indian director Satyajit Ray's script for an earlier cancelled film called The Alien.
Didn't know about ET. tbh, I don't consider the Oscars too highly, but yeah, critically the film has been heavily acclaimed.
QUOTE(Jagger @ Feb 5 2007, 09:35 PM)
I've never seen the Gandhi film either but just read about how it won 8 Academy Awards, beating E.T. and Blade Runner at the Oscars. Incidentally, the film E.T. itself was inspired by Bengali Indian director Satyajit Ray's script for an earlier cancelled film called The Alien.
Didn't know about ET. tbh, I don't consider the Oscars too highly, but yeah, critically the film has been heavily acclaimed.
QUOTE(pun187 @ Feb 5 2007, 09:39 PM)
Props to Gandhi
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOLIt wasn't just his personality that he's famous for, but for his use of innovative methods such as nonviolent resistence, civil disobedience, protests, strikes, etc. which have inspired many other later political figures such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, as well as ordinary people. As for racism, if you're referring to how he called black people "Kaffir", that was only when he was a young man in South Africa. He later criticized the word when he was much older. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj Guru, Mangal Pandey, etc. are well known among educated Indian scholars and have been gaining more recognition in popular Indian culture in recent times.
QUOTE(ACMILAN1983 @ Feb 5 2007, 11:38 PM)
How good is the film? I hear it's meant to be really well done, but haven't actually ever had the chance to see it.
The film is better than excellent. I think I've now seen it about 6 times.....lol. No wonder why I've come to associate the Mahatma's face with that of Kingsley's.
The special 20th anniversary DVD version I bought also includes an interview with Sir Ben Kingsley where one interesting thing he said was how after he'd been chosen for the role, he recorded a little speech in Gandhi's Gujarati accent and gave it to the director. The director first thought Kingsley had presented to him an actual recording of a section of one of Gandhi's speeches; but he was surprised when Kingsley said, the voice on the tape was actually his.
Also, not only did Kingsley bear a remarkable resemblance to Gandhiji, but the actors (Roshan Seth & Alyque Padamsee) who played Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammed Ali Jinnah respectively also looked so much like their on-screen characters.
QUOTE(pun187 @ Feb 5 2007, 04:39 PM)
Props to Gandhi
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOLI do agree that people tend to forget about other great Indians in the freedom struggle, but your contempt for Gandhi is pretty much unfounded. Like it or not he was the catalyst for India's independence(and East/West Pakistan's in a roundabout way).
About the whole argument about Gandhi's racism. I do feel that some of the things Gandhi said in the past when he was younger (note that pretty much all the "racist" comments were pretty before 1908, after which he seemed to grow more understanding and knowledgeable) were stupid, though I feel he was never an outright racist.
Most of the evidence of his apparent racist views are normally quite vague, though some comments can't be refuted. However, there is just as much evidence to back up claims he isn't racist.
The film is better than excellent. I think I've now seen it about 6 times.....lol. No wonder why I've come to associate the Mahatma's face with that of Kingsley's.
The special 20th anniversary DVD version I bought also includes an interview with Sir Ben Kingsley where one interesting thing he said was how after he'd been chosen for the role, he recorded a little speech in Gandhi's Gujarati accent and gave it to the director. The director first thought Kingsley had presented to him an actual recording of a section of one of Gandhi's speeches; but he was surprised when Kingsley said, the voice on the tape was actually his.
Also, not only did Kingsley bear a remarkable resemblance to Gandhiji, but the actors (Roshan Seth & Alyque Padamsee) who played Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammed Ali Jinnah respectively also looked so much like their on-screen characters.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'm currently looking to get the film, so hopefully will watch it soon.
Most of the evidence of his apparent racist views are normally quite vague, though some comments can't be refuted. However, there is just as much evidence to back up claims he isn't racist.
QUOTE(Nath @ Feb 6 2007, 12:14 AM)
The film is better than excellent. I think I've now seen it about 6 times.....lol. No wonder why I've come to associate the Mahatma's face with that of Kingsley's.
The special 20th anniversary DVD version I bought also includes an interview with Sir Ben Kingsley where one interesting thing he said was how after he'd been chosen for the role, he recorded a little speech in Gandhi's Gujarati accent and gave it to the director. The director first thought Kingsley had presented to him an actual recording of a section of one of Gandhi's speeches; but he was surprised when Kingsley said, the voice on the tape was actually his.
Also, not only did Kingsley bear a remarkable resemblance to Gandhiji, but the actors (Roshan Seth & Alyque Padamsee) who played Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammed Ali Jinnah respectively also looked so much like their on-screen characters.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'm currently looking to get the film, so hopefully will watch it soon.
QUOTE(Jagger @ Feb 5 2007, 10:14 PM)
It wasn't just his personality that he's famous for, but for his use of innovative methods such as nonviolent resistence, civil disobedience, protests, strikes, etc. which have inspired many other later political figures such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, as well as ordinary people. As for racism, if you're referring to how he called black people "Kaffir", that was only when he was a young man in South Africa. He later criticized the word when he was much older. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj Guru, Mangal Pandey, etc. are well known among educated Indian scholars and have been gaining more recognition in popular Indian culture in recent times.
I almost forgot to add Subhash Chandra Bose, the most prominent Bengali leader of the Indian Independance Movement and the Indian National Army.
QUOTE(Nath @ Feb 6 2007, 12:14 AM)
The film is better than excellent. I think I've now seen it about 6 times.....lol. No wonder why I've come to associate the Mahatma's face with that of Kingsley's.
The special 20th anniversary DVD version I bought also includes an interview with Sir Ben Kingsley where one interesting thing he said was how after he'd been chosen for the role, he recorded a little speech in Gandhi's Gujarati accent and gave it to the director. The director first thought Kingsley had presented to him an actual recording of a section of one of Gandhi's speeches; but he was surprised when Kingsley said, the voice on the tape was actually his.
Also, not only did Kingsley bear a remarkable resemblance to Gandhiji, but the actors (Roshan Seth & Alyque Padamsee) who played Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammed Ali Jinnah respectively also looked so much like their on-screen characters.
I might download it when I find a decent torrent of the film.
Gandhi's role was minimal for independence.
The credit goes to Bose and the naval strike that drew inspiration from him.
The credit goes to Bose and the naval strike that drew inspiration from him.
I just heard this from a friend (not Desi), but he said Gandhi was against medicine, told his wife not to take medicine as she was dying, but then took medicine himself?
I respect this man more for the fact that he was for animal rights, since I am one too.
I respect this man more for the fact that he was for animal rights, since I am one too.
I've never heard about him being against medicine. I know he would take long walks daily and always said it was a big factor in him staying healthy
Does anyone know much about this new Gandhi film coming out? It's called Gandhi, My Father. I've heard it's actually about his family's struggles and especially about his eldest son and their less than great relationship
He's a blessing to humanity.
...and we have the same birthday. Yay!
...and we have the same birthday. Yay!
GUJARATI
QUOTE(pun187 @ Feb 5 2007, 04:39 PM)
Props to Gandhi not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOL
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOLim a big guy and its easy for me to shove and push someone else if they are wrong .............. but it takes great character to explain in a peaceful manner to another person why he is wrong ..........
it is something u wouldnt understand ...........
QUOTE(Thabo @ Jul 27 2007, 04:29 AM)
GUJARATI
whether he was Gujarati or not is irrelevant.
Came across some very interesting videos on youtube...
This is one of Gandhi's more famous speeches about Truth and God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5sZKU4OdP0...ted&search=
This is a documentary about his life..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-_hnwjK_dg...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkCH2uWNC18...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwH7Q1cOncI...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1QTs5Lm0Q...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqI4wE2isRQ...ted&search=
This is one of Gandhi's more famous speeches about Truth and God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5sZKU4OdP0...ted&search=
This is a documentary about his life..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-_hnwjK_dg...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkCH2uWNC18...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwH7Q1cOncI...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1QTs5Lm0Q...ted&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqI4wE2isRQ...ted&search=
I've just found the movie "Gandhi" (starring Ben Kingsley) on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnByy_r2ZKk (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnByy_r2ZKk (part 1)
QUOTE(pun187 @ Feb 5 2007, 04:39 PM)
Props to Gandhi not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOL
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOLI think I know where you're coming from but if you ever read his biography it does mentioned he hated African blacks. He was businessman in South Africa he only changed his views when he experieced racism first hand when he was not allowed from entering a first class carriage (first class carriages were for whites back then) after enquiring he was kicked out all together from the train literally. It was there on the platform when he gathered to his feet he realised his falicy and so he finally sought to correct them. Also he didn't claim to be perfect nor did he expect the title Mahatmas in his new life.
I respect him for the man he is he admitted his wrong doings even openly talking about it which makes him special in a way rarely does one ever comments on their bad side. He did it to show that he was not superman and also to set an example of what not to do. Offcourse if he didn't mention these things in his biography I wouldn't have come to know these things. How many today know that the current German pope participated in Nazism in his youth? heck he dosen't even mention it although if he openly admits it imagine the shock waves in the world wide community.
QUOTE(pun187 @ Feb 5 2007, 05:39 PM)
Props to Gandhi not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOL
not only was he able to fool the people of his time, but is still fooling around the entire world. It's actually really sad that most people don't remember or even know about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Raj guru ect. who sacrificed their lifes not for name or fame, but for the independence of India. But do know Gandhi, a hypocrite and liar, who achieved his fame by becoming a tool in the hands of top Congress leaders and portraying himself as a gentle man, who believed in non-violence. But no one ever mentions what kind of racist he really was. LOLwhoa...i thought gandhi accepted blacks/africans in the latter part of his life. is this correct? thanks.
QUOTE(delicia @ Oct 30 2007, 04:39 PM)
whoa...i thought gandhi accepted blacks/africans in the latter part of his life. is this correct? thanks.
The post above answers you're question very well.
Randi, nice post, I'm reading his autobiography too (well, I've been reading it on and off for a few months now).
I just finished watching the Gandhi film. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't mention anything about the more militant revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh or Subhash Chandra Bose, who were also influential at the time. Other than that, it was a great movie which captures Gandhi's life and thoughts very well.
QUOTE(Randi @ Oct 30 2007, 12:29 PM)
How many today know that the current German pope participated in Nazism in his youth?
I don't see anything out of the ordinary in a Pope being a Nazi. Nazism is just industrialized Christianity. Hitler did not invent antisemitism, he just modernized the traditional Christian view on Jews.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.