Man of the Millennium Mahatma Gandhi - visits the places and institutions associated with him, his ideas and ideals.

Mahatma Gandhi's life, the movement he launched, the way he inspired thousands of people around him, the message of truth, nonviolence and the universal brotherhood he left for humanity is being studied, researched and interpreted and has offered a mine of themes to students and others in several parts of the world. Notwithstanding the of repeated questions from academics and intellectuals who believe that they have answers to all problems, on his relevance, Mahatma Gandhi continues to be one of the most spoken about and written about teachers of humanity.

If you wanted to about What are the 5 things we should learn from Mahatma Gandhi? Then go through this article and visits the places and institutions associated with him, his ideas, and ideals.

Discover more about 'Man of the Millennium Mahatma Gandhi', by your visits to the places and institutions associated with him, his ideas and ideals.

Full name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Born: 2 October 1869, Porbandar

Parents: Karamchand Gandhi (father), Putlibai Gandhi (mother)

Assassinated: 30 January 1948, New Delhi

Children: Harilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Devdas Gandhi

Profession: Lawyer, Politician, Activist, and Writer

Monuments: Raj Ghat, Gandhi Smriti
Nationality: Indian
Other names: Mahatma Gandhi, Bapu Ji, Gandhi Ji, M. K. Gandhi

A Brief History

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known the world over as 'Mahatma Gandhi' was born at Porbandar, on October2, 1869 in the state of Gujarat in Western India. After completion of his basic education, his parents sent him to London to study law, where he joined the Inner Temple, one of the four Institutes of Law in London. In 1893 he goes to South Africa to assist in a legal suit. But racial discrimination prevalent there forced him to work for the rights of Indian immigrants. He realized that racial humiliations are part of the daily life of Indians living in South Africa and he developed his creed of passive resistance against injustice, becomes an expert political campaigner, and evolves Satyagraha, meaning truth force. Before he returned to India with his wife and children in 1915, he had radically changed the lives of Indians living in South Africa that's why he is known as Man of the Millennium Mahatma Gandhi.

Back in India, he applied the same method of Satyagraha for independence from British rule. He never wavered in his unshakable belief in nonviolence and religious tolerance. Launches a campaign to promote hand spinning, weaving and other cottage industries, to improve a lot of poor villagers. It also fought against untouchability and worked for improving the status of women. Further concentrated on building the nation "from the bottom-up" through his constructive program, as he believed in social, economic, and religious independence for every human being along with the political, which independence brought in 1947.

Alas, the prophet of nonviolence was shot at a prayer meeting at Birla House in New Delhi on January 30,1948.

Destination Details

Gandhi Smriti

Gandhi Smriti at New Delhi is now a national memorial where the epic life of the Man of the Millennium Mahatma Gandhi ended on Friday, January 30, 1948. The hallowed house treasures many memories of the last 144 days of his life. The exhibition on the Mahatma, the room he lived in, and the prayer ground where he fell a martyr with God's name on his lips attract a large number of visitors every day.

Rajghat

On the banks of Yamuna river, a simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Daily hundreds of visitors visit this place to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

International Centre Of Gandhian Studies & Research 

Situated close to the Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat, the International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research which came into being during the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is an attempt to offer research and guidance facilities to Scholars from India and abroad and documentation of various peace initiatives. It seeks to provide all kinds of inputs on Gandhi and allied subjects in one place. At present, the Centre provides a comprehensive exhibition on Gandhi, facilities of conference halls, camping facility for major national and international meets, library, children's corner, photo unit, and a publication division. The Centre also publishes a journal of information and ideas.

Sabarmati Ashram

Gandhi's first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad in 1915. The Ashram was then shifted in 1917 to a piece of open land on the banks of river Sabarmati and was Gandhi's headquarter during the long struggle for Indian Independence from British rulers. This came to be known first as the Satyagraha Ashram and then as Harijan Ashram. It is more commonly known, however, as the Sabarmati Ashram.

The Sabarmati Ashram was Gandhiji's home till 1930 when he left it for his historic Dandi's March (Salt Satyagraha) on March 12, 1930 (to a place known today as Dandi) in protest against government monopolies over the production and sale of salt, with a vow not to return to it until India's independence was achieved.

Gandhi's simple living quarters are preserved as a small museum and there is an excellent pictorial record of major events in his life.

The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), in Gujarat State's single largest workers union comprising of more than 2,15,000 members in India and more than 1,48,000 in Gujarat alone. Established in 1972, SEWA identifies three types of self-employed workers: hawkers and vendors; home-based workers such as weavers, potters, and biddi rollers (handmade cigarettes); and manual laborers and service providers such as contract laborers, construction workers agricultural laborers and domestic/laundry workers.

SEWA has also set up a bank, giving many poor women their first access to a savings or lending body, since conventional banks often are unwilling to deal with people in the unorganized sector.

Navjivan Institution

Mahatma Gandhi had an intention to create a public institution for the education of public opinion together with the activity of conducting weeklies. To this end, he created a Public Trust of Navjivan in 1929 and thus laid the foundation of the present institution.

The story of the Navjivan Institution is a stirring chapter in the epic of India's nonviolent fight for freedom. The Navjivan papers were inseparably connected with Mahatma Gandhi as they were the organs through which he shaped and influenced the life of the people, breathed new life into them, directed and fought many a battle in diverse spheres-political, social and economic.

Mahatma Gandhi Kirti Mandir

Mahatma Gandhi Kirti Mandir in Porbandar is a well-known place in India and abroad as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who later became Mahatma Gandhi was born here on the 2nd of October, 1869. The Kirti Mandir is an imposing structure 79 feet high built to commemorate the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.

This memorial of Mahatma Gandhi was built in 1950. Next door is Gandhi's actual birthplace - a three-story, 300-year-old house.

Sevagram Ashram, Wardha

Shegaon was a small village near the Wardha town in Maharashtra The state of India. Gandhiji later named it as Sevagram (service village). In spite of many difficulties, Gandhiji decided to settle here in 1936. For the 11 years from then, until India achieved Independence, Gandhi's headquarter was in some ways the alternative capital of India.

This Ashram was an experimental field for Gandhiji. This was his home during the last 12 years of his life. From here he guided the nation to independence with weapons of truth and nonviolence. Following his example, later on, many more countries became independent in the world.

Gandhiji wanted to develop the self even in the poorest of the poor and with this aim, he himself lived a very simple life based on voluntary poverty and simplicity. At Sewagram Ashram he devised various programs so that everybody feels useful and self-reliant in life. In his life, he gave equal emphasis to the purity of ends and means.

Sevagram was Mahatma Gandhi's base for training young volunteers both men and women to serve society.

The original adobe huts of the Ashram are still preserved, as are the Mahatma's personal effects, including his famous spinning wheel and spectacles.

The Aims Of Sewagram Ashram

• To serve the motherland without hating anybody in the world.
• To develop spiritually without hurting anybody in society.
• To demonstrate lives based on the purity of ends and means.
• To act as a trustee of the things and talent given by society and God.
•  To try to achieve self-reliance in the basic needs of life.

Ralegan Siddhi, Ahmednagar

The earlier phase: Until the process of change began in 1975, Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State of India, was a village stricken by poverty. There was hardly any fertile land for irrigation. Since adequate water harvesting techniques were not in use, the runoff carried away valuable topsoil. As a result agricultural production was inadequate to sustain the population for the whole year.

Due to a lack of occupation in the village, men migrated to the cities to look for jobs. Since their income was less, villagers borrowed money from money lenders. Inability to pay these loans further increased their indebtedness. The combination of poverty, unemployment, and indebtedness led people towards alcoholism. There was a feeling of helplessness with no hope for the future. Alcoholism became so widespread that soon there were 40 liquor dens in the village.

TODAY: Mahatma Gandhi's vision of ideal, self-sufficient, self-reliant model village has become a reality in Ralegan Siddhi. Today, Ralegan Siddhi is a picture of prosperity. It is no longer an ordinary village caught in the aftermath of the development process that encourages the destruction of local resources. It has risen above its problem, and inspiration and enlightenment have pierced the shroud of malaise that hung over the village.

The transformation of Ralegan Siddhi began with the return of Anna Hazare to his village. Kishan Baburao Hazare, affectionately known as Anna, served in the Indian Army until he took voluntary retirement in 1975. Upon retirement, Anna decided to dedicate himself to work for the welfare of others.

And the result is for everybody to see, lush green fields, full of crops are punctuated with trees everywhere. Water can be seen gushing into fields. The total land under irrigation is 1100 acres. Fodder is available throughout the year. Migration to cities has declined. The days of moneylenders are over. There is a bank in the village to service those in need of financial assistance and to encourage savings.

The social fabric has altered dramatically. There is the total eradication of alcoholism and even smoking is prohibited in the village. Every child goes to school. Social barriers have been removed. Conflicts have been minimized and people have understood the importance of working together and sharing the benefits.

National Gandhi Memorial

When the Second World War started, Gandhiji had to begin individual Satyagraha Movement (nonviolent agitation) because the British rulers declared India at war without consulting Indian opinion. In 1942, Gandhiji called upon the British to Quit India finally as rulers and launched the famous "Quit India" movement. The British interned him and other leaders of the Indian Independence movement. Kasturba Gandhi, his wife, and Mahadev Bhai Desai his Secretary for 35 years, died here during imprisonment. Their ashes are kept in memorials in the gardens.

One can see here Gandhi's room where Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Bhai Desai breathed their last and memorials of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Bhai Desai.

Important Travel Guide Information

There is a special emphasis on providing you with TIME-CUSHION during your EXPOSE to PLACES PEOPLE associated with MAHATMA GANDHI. Also, special care is taken to make you AVOID well beaten jampacked TravelTrails.

Here in INDIA, there is an in-set belief in the equation/selection of DISCOVERY of "WITHOUT" and WITHIN!

All Tour PLANS have the in-built Modus Operandi of Safety and Speed Coupled with Comfort and Economy. Air-conditioned Air/Rail/Road links (where ever possible).

Overnight STOPOVERS are provided in starred Hotels at New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Porbander and at Sewagram Ashram Guest House in Wardha.

Dress

Casual wear is suitable for travel in India. Light cotton is recommended from spring to autumn. In winter, however, you will need warm clothing and preferably a windcheater. People in rural India are quite conservative. It is advisable for ladies to wear modest clothing.

Currency

The decimal system of coinage is used in India, with 1 Rupee = 100 Paise. Banknotes are in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 & 1 rupee.

Coins are in 10, 5, 2, 1 rupee and 50, 25, 10 and 5 paise denominations.

It is not necessary to purchase local currency prior to your arrival in India. Foreign exchange counters at the hotels provide the same official rate of exchange as the banks or the airports. It is therefore not necessary or recommended to purchase local currency at the airport. However, it is recommended to purchase small denominations for use as tips or for small purchases. All credit cards are accepted at the city hotels you will be staying at.

Medication

Always Bring your own medicines, because all medications in India is locally manufactured and here you will not find the same brand names. There are many good druggists, doctors, and clinics where you will get advice on substitutes.

Restriction

According to law Indian currency may not be brought into or taken out of the country. There is no restriction on the amount of Foreign currency that may be brought into India. However, if you are carrying more than US$ 10, 000.00 or its equivalent, the same must be declared on arrival in the Currency Declaration Form.

All visitors to India are advised to change money through AUTHORISED MONEY CHANGERS and to obtain a receipt for all such transaction, because it will help you to reconvert unused Rupees into foreign currency when you depart.

Credit Cards

All Major Credit Cards are normally accepted in most city hotels, restaurants, and merchant establishments. In small towns and villages, you may be asked to pay in cash. Some establishments add a handling surcharge on payment by credit card.

Cuisine

In the city hotels, restaurants serve European as well as Indian and Oriental cuisine. In the more remote areas and smaller hotels, the food is basic and mainly Indian. We suggest that you take vegetarian food since this tends to reduce the risk of stomach upsets. The hotels that we use are keenly aware of the western visitor's reaction to Indian food and they take great care in the area of hygiene.

Entry Procedures

Citizens of all countries including Commonwealth Countries require visas to enter India.

Multiple Entry Visa will be required for those intending to visit the neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Burma, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh.

A tourist visa is valid for 3 months to stay in India. It can be extended for a further period of 3 months.

A visitor whose stay extends over 90 days must register with the Foreign Registration Office and get an exit endorsement on the Registration Certificate from the same office before departure.

Customs And Regulations On Arrival

a. Tourists who do not have any dutiable goods or unaccompanied baggage can pass through the green channel, while others must go to the red channel for customs clearance.

b. Importation of personal jewelry, cameras, binoculars, tape recorders, transistor, professional equipment, etc. are allowed duty-free, provided a TBRE (Tourist Baggage Re-Export) form is completed on arrival.

On Departure

a. The TBRE (Tourist Baggage Re-Export) form and the goods entered therein must be produced before Customs for verification at the port of departure.

b. The export of animal skin, ivory, antique, gold coins and articles other than jewelry is permitted only if an export license is acquired from the Joint Controller of Imports & Exports, Government of India.