Published: 11:17 PM, 03 October 2026
Mahatma Gandhi Remains an Influential Figure in Our Thoughts
Every year on October 2, the entire nation celebrates the birth anniversary of a charismatic force during our freedom struggle, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Celebration of his birthday is a mundane celebration. Not only in the capital city, New Delhi, the day is celebrated all over the nation. In all the Indian states and cities, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated. This year on the same date, on October 2, 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma will be celebrated.
Now let me analyze why Mahatma Gandhi is remembered or immersed in our mind till date. Though his contributions towards our freedom struggle remains indelible. Till date the citizens of Independent India couldn’t forget him. Not only in India, Gandhiji is remembered but also in our neighbor Bangladesh he is remembered till date. His contributions in erstwhile East Pakistan were truly a valuable one. During the horrifying days in Noakhali, riots were a traumatic one, that is why Bangladeshis till date reminisce about him in their heart and mind.
Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi) had a special trait in his mind and heart. Those met him closely and cordially developed a benevolent feeling in their mind.
In order to delve deep into Gandhiji’s special traits, let me analyze deeply. There are various special traits embedded in the mind and heart of Mahatma Gandhi. Among all the basic and key aspects are stated as below.
1) Core values and principles:
A) Non-violence (Ahimsa)-In the midst of current political and social turmoil, we find that non-violence has badly eaten up the vitals of our society. Humanity seems to be erased of tenets of peace and calumny from our mind and heart. Mahatma had this intrinsic quality in him, which despite his sincerest efforts citizens express their utter reluctance to cater to it, thereby transforming our society in a state of utmost quagmire and squalor.
B) Truthfulness (Satya)- Mahatma Gandhi had a mission in life to initiate truthfulness so that our society and culture attain purity from a macro point of view. If truthfulness is ingrained in our life, then we might lead a life of utmost pleasantry and piousness in our life.
C) Simplicity-As per the views of Mahatma Gandhi, simplicity is always regarded as the cakewalk to the path of success and ebullience in life.
D) Fearlessness (Abhaya)- Mahatma Gandhi through his life philosophy always advises the citizens to be courageous and a person of utmost confidence in life. As per his views, if humanity is not courageous then success in life will tilt down badly.
2) Unique personal habits-
A) Propagator of high energy- Gandhi in life, never retracted back, rather his mission in life, was to move ahead like a galloping moment.
B) Good posture- Gandhiji always stood upright in his stance in which he was always firm and upright.
C) Prolific writer-Gandhiji was always a prolific writer in his various writings on diverse subjects.
D) Fond of children- Mahatma Gandhi was always fond of children throughout his life.
E) Cleanliness-Gandhiji was ardently fond of neatness and cleanliness.
Mahatma Gandhi was always for secular harmony. The way he conducted the relief work during the time of Noakhali riot in the year 1946 on October 10, till date people who had the pleasure of reviving his image from close quarters, till date couldn’t forget his relief work with an admixture of amiability and cordial mentality.
Politically Gandhiji might not meet the needs of common citizens. Overall, his mental grooming and upbringing was supreme. He thought of something good for the nation. The citizens of both pre-independence and post-independence India, heaved high level expectations from him, but all the expectations about him have gone astray. Gandhiji’s luck was so unforeseen, which badly bullied away from being involved into positive frameworks in his service to the nation.
Apart from the public life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), he was a prolific writer in his highest order. Apart from his writing talent, he met various luminaries of his time.
The luminaries Gandhiji came in touch with are stated as such, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Acharya Vinobha Bhave, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, Sarvodaya leader Jayprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Acharya J.B. Kripalini, Sucheta Kripalini, Dr Pyare Lal Nayar etc.
Dialogues between Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi till date writ largely in the annals of Indian history. If any readers might not be aware of, it was Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore for the first time crowned Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as’ Mahatma’. It indicates the pious soul of the universe. Both were involved into a dialogue in the year 1915 on March 6 in Tagore’s
Abode of peace and tranquility, Santiniketan of Rabindranath Tagore:
Shantiniketan is also regarded as an abode of peace and tranquility. The hub has been acclaimed as such, that because of its natural surroundings, roots are referred to as spiritual retreat and finally the unique harmony focused upon the citizens which indicates non-discriminatory views which bears a feeling of oneness among all sections of citizens.
That is the reason, Gandhiji’s mental makeup envisions to glaring heights. Which conveys positives of humanity. This is most lacking in the modern age.
Rabindranath Tagore was such a personality in those days, who always spread the gospel of calm and tranquility. Though both are person different platforms, but exchanged diverse views prior to Indian independence and later on post phase. The influence of philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore upon Gandhiji was productive which he carried on till the last breath of life. It was in fact poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore who crowned him as ‘Mahatma’ which indicates that he was a pious soul of the Universe across the globe. Despite differences of opinion between both of them, both were equally affectionate towards each other.
Now let me touch upon the books written by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, which are stated as follow:
My Experiments with truth- Autobiography
Hind, Swaraj or Indian Home Rule-A treatise on Indian Nationalism (1909)
The Essence of Hinduism-Collections of Gandhi’s writings on Hinduism (2016)
Key to health- (2016)-Collection of Gandhi’s writings on health and hygiene.
Ethical religion (2016)-A collection of Gandhi’s writings on religion and ethics.
The Law and The Lawyers (2015)-A collection of Gandhi’s writings on Law and Lawyers.
My Religion (2015)-A collection of Gandhi's writings on his religious beliefs.
India of my dreams (2015)-A collection of Gandhi’s writings on his vision for India.
Collected works of Mahatma Gandhi (2015)-A collection of entire writings of Gandhi's writings, published in 90 volumes.
Character and Nation (Building (2013)-A character of Gandhi on nation building as well as character building.
Village Swaraj (2012) A collection of Gandhi's writings on village self-rule.
Towards New Education (2012) Collection of Gandhi’s writings on education.
Panchayat Raj (2012) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on Panchayat Raj, a system of local government in India.
Nature Cure (2012) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on naturopathy.
Pathway to God (2011) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on spirituality
Village Industries (2011) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on village industries.
The Bhagavad Gita, according to Gandhi (2010) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on Bhagwat Gita.
The Essential Writings (2008) A collection of most essential writings by Gandhi
Constructive Program (2008) A collection of Gandhi’s writings with a plan for social and economic upliftment.
Truth is God (2004) A collection of Gandhi’s writings on truth which has its impact on the verdict of The Almighty.
Discourses on the Gita
The Words of Gandhi
Way to Communal Harmony
Gandhi
Trusteeship
All men are brothers
Prayer
Gandhi Expects
My God
The Message of the Gita
Mohan-Mala
Self-Restraint vs Self Indulgence
Summation of my above discourses on Mohandas Karamchand, one thing is vital to our heart and mind. That as per the life philosophy of Gandhiji, we must admit candidly truth and honesty should be the key pathways to our success in life. Gandhiji was such a personality among the humanity of pre-independent India, whose life philosophy was a pitchstone for us. Through these pathways we learnt the values of life which we still cherish for our life development. Plus, the books written by him were also valuable for our lifecycle.
Despite the positive frame of mind which this Saint had, his untimely termination of life made all his ardent disciples badly sorrowful and crestfallen. Though he was forced to terminate his life under tragic circumstances, his memories still write largely in our mind and memories and it will continue to be so in the upcoming days of life. Merely celebrating his birth anniversary should not be our sole criteria but we must adhere to his long-cherished values and morality in life.
Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.
