Mahatma Gandhi Is A Peace Man
by Kamala Sarup
Kathmandu, Nepal, September 29 — 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."
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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