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| PHOTO TAKEN BY MAKEELA ALEXANDER AT SAN FERNANDO TRINIDAD |
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly known as ‘Mahatma’
(meaning ‘Great Soul’) was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, in North West India, on
2nd October 1869, into a Hindu Modh family. His father was the Chief Minister
of Porbandar, and his mother’s religious devotion meant that his upbringing was
infused with the Jain pacifist teachings of mutual tolerance, non-injury to
living beings and vegetarianism[1].
The memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is situated at the centre of
San Fernando, on Harris Promenade. Ghandi was a great civil leader of India. His work and techniques of peaceful civil disobedience have been an
inspiration to people not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but also, worldwide. He
was an advocate of the truth, nonviolence and peace. Additionally, he struggled
against racial social, and economical injustice in countries such as Africa and
India. Hence, he was very instrumental to India’s independence. This is why he is referred to as the Father of
that nation.
Gandhi’s teachings still permeates through society today and
the many positive quotes spoken by Gandhi can be considered very useful in the
shaping of communities and areas today within the country. Examples of this
include: “When it (violence) appears to do good, the good is only temporary;
the evil it does is permanent.” In urban areas crime is a social factor which
is quite prevalent. Therefore, by evaluating this quote, we can see the
misconception of violent acts as being good at first and may be very attractive
initially but, in reality the permanency of it is evil. Hence, he calls upon us
to partake in good deeds and make the areas we live with better places through
our actions. Among the most popular, “You must be the change you wish to see in
the world”[3].
This quote basically gives the message that whatever changes individuals would
like to effect in their society has to begin with them. Therefore, when this
memorial is viewed persons are reminded of their ability to change and shape
the world in which they live, and on a smaller scale in the immediate space in
which they reside. We have the duty to make that first step of change. This may
result in a wonderful experience by allowing persons to undergo a
transformation process for oneself, which in turn would positively impact on
others within person’s environment as well as in the environment itself.
Click the link below to
view a video of the biography of Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of The Nation.
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