On October 2nd 1869, an enlightened soul was born in India, which inspired and motivated millions of people across the country to fight for their rights. Mahatma Gandhi, lovingly called Bapu by his followers left a permanent mark on the history of this world by promoting non-violence and love among all.
Even Britishers, against whom Mahatma fought for India’s independence were spellbound by his charisma and respected him for his leadership skills and acumen.
Here are the famous 5 personalities who were deeply inspired and motivated by Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching and followed his principles:
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Barack Obama
In the year 2009, Barack Obama, US President was having chit chats with 9th graders at Wakefield High school in Virginia, US. A student Lilly asked him, which person, living or dead, would he like to have dinner with? He replied, “Mahatma Gandhi”.
So much inspired and motivated Barrack Obama is with Mahatma Gandhi that his portrait hangs in the Senate office, just to remind that the real results won’t come from Washington DC, but from people.
Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was the famous American activist and revolutionary who led the Civil Rights movement and inspired millions of African-Americans to fight for their rights, using non-violent ways. He was greatly inspired by Gandhi and used his philosophy and teachings while preparing his own strategies and speeches for the Civil Rights movement in America.
He famously said, “Christ gave us the goals, and Mahatma Gandhi tactics.”
Steve Jobs
When Steve Jobs backpacked his way to India during his early years, he read a lot about Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophies in life. Eastern mystics combined by the spiritual power he experienced in India enabled him to think differently and bravely. He was so much inspired by Mahatma’s vision that he featured him for “Think Different” advertisement series for Apple computers.
As he started his second innings at Apple in the year 1997, he stood before a giant portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, his hero and said these words before a packed audience: “”Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers…because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” It is believed that Mahatma Gandhi inspired these words.
Albert Einstein
Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein were connected by an invisible chord of love, admiration and mutual respect for each other. Once, he said, “I believe that Gandhi’s views were the most enlightened of all the political men of our time.”. They exchanged lots of letters and correspondences, sharing their views on politics and religion.
Just like Mahatma Gandhi, he strongly believed that non-violence and love are the only remedy which can cure this world of its diseases and vices.
Nelson Mandela
Mahatma Gandhi had a huge impact on Nelson Mandela’s vision and thinking. Often called South African Gandhi, Mandela never met Mahatma but has referred to his teachings and leadership lessons several times.
In his fight against colonialism and apartheid in South Africa, Mandela derived strength and inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s words. In a recent speech, Harris Majeke, South Africa’s ambassador to India said, “While Nelson Mandela the father of South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi is our grandfather.”
It is widely acclaimed that the Satyagraha March by Gandhi deeply influenced Nelson Mandela’s thought process and motivated him to fight the oppressions inside his own country.
Besides these featured personalities, there are millions of others who are daily inspired by Mahatma’s vision and teaching and enable themselves to think better.
On his 144th birthday, we salute this great soul and seek his blessings in overcoming struggles and doing what is right, no matter what are the conditions and what the consequences are.
“Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words.
Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions.
Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits.
Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values.
Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
[…] He is often termed as South Africa’s Gandhi. He once said to his Indian friend, “You gave us Gandhi, we gave you the Mahatma”. He had great respect for Mahatma Gandhi, and said to be deeply influenced by the Satyagrah movement. […]
First of all, thank u very much for this post.
But its sad that many around the world are inspired by this great man, we being his race are just enjoying what ever he gave us.
Its payback time and its time for our country to be one of the greatest leaders in the world, but not just a market or may be a scrap market that we r now. Its time for us to Think Different :|