blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Today's free blink was An Autobiography by Gandhi. Gandhi was certainly an inspirational and interesting man.
Today's free blink was An Autobiography by Gandhi. Gandhi was certainly an inspirational and interesting man.
blinki.st/c87019b62fd6?b…
Gandhi was an influential man. Up there with Mandela and Martin Luther King Junior as men who shaped the 20th century in good ways.
Gandhi was an influential man. Up there with Mandela and Martin Luther King Junior as men who shaped the 20th century in good ways.
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The diversity in Gandhi's upbringing seems crucial. His parents were friends with those outside their "tribe" and this rubbed off on Gandhi.
Gandhi got married at 13. I'm trying to imagine what I was like at that age and how immature I was.
The diversity in Gandhi's upbringing seems crucial. His parents were friends with those outside their "tribe" and this rubbed off on Gandhi.
Gandhi got married at 13. I'm trying to imagine what I was like at that age and how immature I was.
His experience helped him to form the view that people who have some autonomy in who they get to marry. Times have certainly changed since Gandhi's time. At least I think they have.
Gandhi grappled with the idea of the "Truth" - "the means by which the Divine made itself known in the world". This reminds me of John 1 - the word becoming flesh, and also Jesus' words: "the truth will set you free".
Gandhi's father died when he was 16. When his father was on his deathbed dying, Gandhi paid a visit to his wife. By the time he came back, his father had died. This was one of Gandhi's most painful lessons in life about lust.
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Gandhi studied law at University College London. He learnt a few skills while there - running an organisation, and living on a tight budget.
It took him onlly 32 months to earn his law degree. He returned to India in 1891.
Gandhi studied law at University College London. He learnt a few skills while there - running an organisation, and living on a tight budget.
It took him onlly 32 months to earn his law degree. He returned to India in 1891.
While he was in England, his mother had died. Also his law degree hadn't really prepared him to be a lawyer in India.
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Gandhi was approached to practice law in South Africa which he accepted. He encountered a great deal of injustice, racism, and division in South Africa.
This time was formative on Gandhi's life philosophies. He worked with a sense of compassion & justice.
Gandhi was approached to practice law in South Africa which he accepted. He encountered a great deal of injustice, racism, and division in South Africa.
This time was formative on Gandhi's life philosophies. He worked with a sense of compassion & justice.
In South Africa he learnt about Christianity and Islam. He developed the concept of nonviolent resistance while reading Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You.
It was interesting to note that Indians were allowed to vote in South Africa.
It was interesting to note that Indians were allowed to vote in South Africa.
This raises questions about dominant cultures, the importance of language within colonial structures, and the privilege of education in the language of the oppressor. I was reminded of this watching Lee Hsien Loong.
Singapore has benefitted from its English proficiency. My own grandfather was sent to be English educated so that he could advocate for the Chinese community from within the civil service. My great-granduncle was a Chinese community leader because he could speak English. etc.
Natal is mentioned. I know Natal because its racist laws were the ones that the Australian federal government based its own White Australia laws on.🧐
Gandhi set up the Natal Indian Ambulance Corps to support the British during the Boer war.
Later he returned to India and volunteered with the Indian National Congree party. He worked humbly doing menial tasks. The leader's surname was Gokhale. I have a Gokhale colleague.🤔
Later he returned to India and volunteered with the Indian National Congree party. He worked humbly doing menial tasks. The leader's surname was Gokhale. I have a Gokhale colleague.🤔
Gandhi travelled third class after the Indian Nation Congress, and during those train rides he developed an empathy for the poor and the suffering they faced.
He started to see himself as a driver for change.
He started to see himself as a driver for change.
"Central to this approach was ahimsa, or nonviolence. The principle of ahimsa returned to the focus on Truth – the essence of God – that had motivated Gandhi from his youth... all people are a reflection of Truth, making them deserving of empathy and compassion."
Amen
Amen
Gandhi took a vow of chastity - brahmacharya- in 1906.
Katsurbai didn't seem to mind. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasturba_…
Katsurbai didn't seem to mind. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasturba_…
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Gandhi returned to South Africa. In 1907 he started nonviolent resistance to the Asiatic Registration Act, calling it Satyagraha. It was inspired by Tolstoy, Thoreau and Ruskin's writings.
Gandhi returned to South Africa. In 1907 he started nonviolent resistance to the Asiatic Registration Act, calling it Satyagraha. It was inspired by Tolstoy, Thoreau and Ruskin's writings.
He returned to India during WW1 and set up the Satyagraha Ashram. It was similar to the Phoenix settlement he'd set up in South Africa.
Gandhi would protest the Rowlatt Act with hartal - a general strike with fasting and prayer.
Gandhi would protest the Rowlatt Act with hartal - a general strike with fasting and prayer.
India became independent in 1947. Gandhi played a major role in it.
He was truly a great man.
He was truly a great man.
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