Mahatma Gandhi and His Multifaceted Personality

 

India observed the 156th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on 3 October 2025. Gandhiji to be honestly speaking was not only an Indian icon, but he was too a global icon of repute. As I write this column for my online readers of India and Bangladesh, hence I wouldn’t hesitate to admit that Mahatma Gandhi was equally well known in Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.

Specialty of Mahatma Gandhi or Gandhiji as he was fondly recalled by many of his ardent admirers till date. That he had the natural acumen to reach to the hearts of his citizens all around the globe. His end might be a pathetic one, but due to his multiple talents, Gandhiji is still very much in the hearts of millions of citizens of India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.

I have come to know from my acquaintances of Bangladesh that in one portion of chapter of History Book, Mahatma Gandhi and his noble legacies are all included in the department curriculum. Though Bengal has been partitioned on the aftermath of the Independence of the year 1947 on August 15, but till date I could feel the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi as a multifaceted personality in both India and Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.

To begin with my key thought, let me state, what actually the term, ‘multifaceted personality’ in common parlance. Thus, the said term has been referred to as such, that human beings with diversified talents, skills, interests and specialties. Hence as regards evaluating Gandhiji as a multifaceted personality it is quite appropriate.

Mahatma Gandhi apart from a reputed public during pre-independence India, was also a reputed writer and prolific thinker of repute. In order to term about his multifaceted personality, let me touch upon the follow characteristics of his. These are stated as follow:

Truth and non-violence.
Spiritual and ethical leadership.
Focusing upon self-development and rural economic development.
Gandhiji was a firm believer of utmost humility.

In this regard, I am forced to admit one glaring differences between Mahatma Gandhi and modern public servant. He had a plain philosophy of life which indicates that to be closer to the heart of the masses.

Gandhi being a well reputed Barrister in those days, but his mind was purely centred upon the plight of the poor and downtrodden sections of citizens of undivided India. Though the sudden fleeing away of Netaji Subhas Chandra and the partition of India casted a deep stigma upon him. On account of the above incidents Gandhiji had to listen to severe jeering from his citizens of pre-Independent and post-Independent India. On account of the above reasons, Gandhiji was assassinated on a fine morning in posh and sparkling compound at Birla House, New Delhi. The day was January 30, 1948. The assassin Nathuram Godse was a notable figure in those days. Immediately the post assassin reaction of Godse was as such,

‘I might have committed a heinous crime. But I feel what I have done is not erroneous but it was done at the right moment and time.’ Though Godse finally had to pay the price for this heinous act. It was finally in the year Godse was hanged in the year 1949 on November 15.

Apart from the above issues, Mahatma Gandhi was a person with a sharp vision of mind. In order to judge Mahatma Gandhi as a multifaceted personality, let me touch upon the special features of his life which are stated as follow:

Leader of the highest order.
Bestowing affection upon fellow citizens of the nation as well as that of the globe.
Gandhiji was always in a learning mode.
Bestowing emotional, spiritual and mental strength upon humanity across the globe.
Gandhiji was a person of persistent and determined temperament.
Gandhiji had a highly disciplinarian temperament upon self.
Mahatma Gandhi was able to become closer to the masses due to his humble and amiable demeanour.
He wished to evince world in a different platform.

Apart from the above, let me touch upon Mahatma Gandhi’s economic thoughts. Before I delve into deep thoughts pertaining to the above issue, it strikes my mind that economic thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi rests upon the following six points. These are stated as follow:

Swadeshi
Mechanization
Industrialization
Trusteeship
Rural economy
Decentralization

About the economic thoughts of Gandhiji, he did not hesitate to touch upon the following features, which are stated as follow:

Economic Laws
Non-violent economy
Decentralization and expansion of cottage industries.
Development of Khadi and Village industries.
Proper usage of machines
Rejuvenation of rural citizens and rural economic cum social development.
The Trusteeship Doctrine.

Now let me touch upon his legal and social thoughts. Now comes the legal thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. Among all some of the common ones are stated as follow:

Law and Morality
Civil Disobedience
Non-violence
Court of conscience
Lawyers’ role
Reform of the legal system.
Equality of justice

Now let me touch upon the social thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. Among all some of the key ones are stated as follow:

Mahatma Gandhi advocated for a modern innovative society which should be free from exploitation and tyranny.
He strived for exploitation free and developed society.
Equality for all sections of societies which should be devoid of caste and religion bigotry.
Progress of the societies mean progress for all.
Gandhiji always emphasized for upliftment of human dignity.
Gandhiji emphasized about communal harmony.
Mahatma Gandhi was very much against untouchability.

Apart from the above qualities Mahatma Gandhi was also an astute scholar of repute. On account of his erudition, he wrote good number of books. In this shortest possible time, let me throw light about his well-known works. Among all some of the popular ones are stated as follow:

The story of My experiments with truth.
Satyagraha in South Africa.
My life is my message.
The collected works of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Green Pamphlet Green.
Famous speeches by Mahatma Gandhi.
Economic thought of Mahatma Gandhi.
India in my dreams.
Truth is God.
The Law and Lawyers.
Selected writings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi in India in his own words.

Some of Mahatma Gandhi’s works have been translated by Mahadev Desai and Pyarelal Nayyar, as Private Secretaries for pretty long time.
Mahatma Gandhi might be a high-bred political figure during the pre-independence phase of life. In post-independence phase he remained alive for around one and half years. Most of his activities was centred during pre-independence phase. Till date among his well adored admirers the assassination of his remains a mystery to us. He was in fact a scapegoat of post-independence political phase. Among his social activities I find from my archives the role by him regarding post Kolkata and Noakhali riot rehabilitation works, on account of which he earned wide encomiums from cross section of societies in Bangladesh too.

Writing about Mahatma Gandhi is not an easy for me. What I felt from this writing that noble legacies of Mahatma Gandhi cannot be erased off from the threshold of our mind and heart. He is still an icon to modern writers in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe. This we cannot forget till our last breath.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.