To Commemorate A Legend: Gandhi

     What can be said of Mohandas K. Gandhi?  He was without a doubt, one of the most influential individuals of the twentieth century.  His stance on nonviolent protests (he endured several hunger strikes in his lifetime) are legendary as well as his work towards a unified and independent India.  In fact, he is still to this day incredibly revered throughout India.  Reminders of "The Father Of The Nation" still appear everywhere, from statues, to street names.  His image even appears on the Indian currency, the Rupee.  For most Indians, Gandhi is synonymous with India itself.

     The best way to understand this amazing man and his beliefs, is to see The National Gandhi Museum in New Delhi.  Here you can view many of the artifacts from Gandhi's life, from his walking stick and blood soaked dhoti he was wearing when he was assassinated in 1948, to several of his spinning wheels that he used in his Khadi (homemade cotton) crusade.  The museum is well endowed with photographs, video's and exhibits providing a detailed look into the life and legacy that Gandhi left behind.

     After visiting The National Gandhi Museum, cross the street to see Raj Ghat.  Raj Ghat is the national monument dedicated to the life of this iconic figure.  This is the location where Gandhi's body was cremated after his murder.  It is a somber and reverent court yard where people come from all over the world to pay their respects.  In the center of the court yard prominently lays a black marble slab covered in marigolds and flanked by an eternal flame.  These marigolds are arranged in elegant patterns and change on a daily basis.  The court yard is encircled by sand stone walls with passages by Gandhi inscribed into them.  These words of wisdom have been translated into seven different languages, in order to spread his inspirational advice throughout the world.

    These two sites can provide one with a sense of who this legendary man was and to the impact that he has had in shaping the world.

www.gandhimuseum.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=harbfaDIUr48noredirect=1