Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (http://geniussquared.com/941/gandhi-genius/ (Eiji Morishite))

The characteristics that I think made Mahatma Gandhi a hero was being mentally strong, being a peacemaker, and being a leader. Mahatma Gandhi "The Great Soul" is my hero because he helped to make the world a better place. He never gave up even when people told him he couldn't do it. Gandhi was arrested and was in jail for six years, but, once he got out of jail he continued doing campaigns like nothing ever happened. Gandhi's father was the dewan also known as a chief minister of Porbandar, which is a place in India. His mother was a strong religious woman who was a determined practitioner of Vaishnavism. Gandhi was forced to marry a girl named Kasturba Makhanji when they were 13 because it was customary in India. They had four sons: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas. One of Gandhi's most famous quotes is "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" which is featured in a lot of movies.

Mahatma Gandhi was mentally strong. Some examples of how Gandhi was mentally strong are when he came back from India after his big trip to London, he wanted to try to authorize a new law practice in Mumbai, which was unknown. He did not succeed, but that did not stop him. Gandhi attempted being a legal advisor in Durban. When he realized he was being treated unequally and was denied by his civil rights, he had to do something. He later found out that other people were also being treated like him, he knew he had to change this so he entered the fight for elementary rights. A hindu extremist named Nathuram Godse came out and approached Gandhi. Gandhi made a nice greeting while putting his palms together. Nathuram was about three feet away from Gandhi, three gun shots, shot into Gandhi's chest. Even though Gandhi didn't survive, his name would be remembered as "bapu" father. Some of Gandhi's quotes that resemble this topic are "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong" and "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Gandhi showed that being mentally strong shows that you don't to have to be the strongest person in the world to be a hero, but to be strong on the inside.

Mahatma Gandhi was also a peacemaker. Some examples are that Gandhi was attacked by a large group of people because of his skin color. Even though he was extremely hurt, being the kind person he was, he decided not to press charges to any people in the mob. Gandhi begun his "fast-into-death" campaign in Delhi, trying to stop all violence. He also ran protests against British establishments in gracious ways of defiance. Gandhi not only led one campaign, but many campaigns. He led campaigns for women's rights, easing of poverty, ethnic and religious reasons and worked to end India's caste system. One quote that Gandhi said that resembles his position in being a peacemaker is "Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man".

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader. He did not care what anybody said about him, he did what he thought was right. One of Gandhi's most treasured moments, for not only him but people who believed in him, was when he became a leader of India's independence movement. Gandhi also organized the Indian Ambulance Corporation while 1,100 Indians helped injured British soldiers. Gandhi led opposition to the Asiatic Registration Law also known as the Black Act. Gandhi supremely followed the moral rules of nonviolent civil disobedience and he played a main role in freeing India from foreign domination. Gandhi is known as one of the twentieth century's greatest political and spiritual leaders. All of these reasons make Gandhi a great leader.

Gandhi has many other characteristics that make him a hero, but in my perspective these are the biggest. Gandhi always stayed true to his belief. As you could tell Gandhi is not at all physically strong, that is probably the last word to describe him, Gandhi is mentally strong. It shows that words could not hurt him. Even if people teased Gandhi about the color of his skin, his family, his strength, and more, he would not care. Being peaceful is another great characteristic to have; it will help you relax and be a better person because you will not always focus on the bad things in life. Gandhi learned to be very peaceful because he knew he had a lot going on in his life and this helped him. Gandhi always forgave people, even people who put him in jail for six years! Gandhi always treated people the same even if they had a different color skin. Gandhi was a big leader to many people. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela even recalled Gandhi as one of their biggest inspirations and leaders. Gandhi was not a hero to just people in his hometown, but to people all around the nation.