Article: Gandhi's Birthday:Mahatma Gandhi Is A Peace Man

Gandhi's Birthday:Mahatma Gandhi Is A Peace Man
Kamala Sarup

Kathmandu, Nepal, -- Mahatma Gandhi is greatly respected
as one who championed non-violent action. He re-wrote the meaning of
forgiveness, non-violence and love by adopting peaceful means to fight
for rights.

With peace as a weapon of action, with forgiveness as a means towards
love, he defeated violence and fought for the freedom of the oppressed
and marginalized communities under British rule in India and in South
Africa. The meaning of peace is to offer happiness.

He stared at peace and his actions depicted forgiveness and love. He
wrote how violence produced complexity in life. He understood the
meaning of peace and freedom.

He did his best to lead life towards reality, towards forgiveness,
peace and co-existence. The burden of looking after others falls on a
soldier. He was a hero. In fact, achieving freedom and peace is a
difficult journey and this journey is infinite. It was that he had
wished to be a prestigious and successful person but worked to bring
light in the life of many. Life and peace means to struggle and he
struggled in poverty and in difficult situations.

He spent many years fighting for his nation, for social justice and
civil rights. He was a kind-hearted person who dreamt about many
things in life -- a peaceful nation, non-violent action and
independence.

I pray to God that he comes into our lives again to give us the
courage to face the world in times of war and growing terrorist
activities. I feel sad and disturbed when I see innocent children
being killed.

When I walk past walls, billboards and crowds, I question peace and
justice in today's world and look for meaning in Gandhi's actions that
could perhaps help diffuse current conflicts. To feel hatred and
disbelief towards war and terrorism and escape it all by not
understanding myself is my weakness.

Gandhi's philosophy of justice and equality can lead the path towards
peace. I see birds flying high in the far distance. They have a
definite destination. Gandhi also had a definite goal and purpose. He
will always be revered and respected as the "Peace Man."

Kamala is an editor for www.mediaforfreedom.com. Her specialties are
in-depth reporting and writing stories on peace and anti-war issues,
women, terrorism, democracy and development. Some of her publications
include: Women's Empowerment in South Asia, Nepal; Prevention of
Trafficking in Women Through Media; Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in
for Media Activism. She has also written two collections of stories.
http://www.mediaforfreedom.com