Revisiting the Father of the Nation: Interesting facts from Gandhiji’s life from the man himself

On Mahatma Gandhi’s 146th birth anniversary, we look back at some of the most interesting incidents and facts of his life as written in his autobiography, ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’.

The ambassador of non-violence and Satyagraha, Gandhiji, by giving himself to the cause of freedom, has carved a place for himself in history’s and India’s hearts. But the personal experiences of the man are equally striking.

It inspires the rest of us to know that Mahatma Gandhi was no Mahatma when he was born and wasn’t born with a silver spoon.  Instead, the man carved his path through toil and self-determination.

Here are a few incidents and facts that will show you the personal Gandhi.

1. Believe it or not Gandhiji was a very very shy boy at school. In fact, he was so terrified of the prospect of somebody coming up to him and talking to him, that he would run home the moment he heard the bell that signaled the end of school for the day.

2. Gandhiji was betrothed three times without his knowledge by the age of 7. The first two girls died and he eventually went on to marry the third, Kasturba at the age of 13.

3. Coming from a staunch vegetarian family, Gandhiji was enamored by one of his meat eating friends and tried tasting goat meat once. That night, every time he tried to doze off to sleep, he heard a live goat bleating inside him.

4. Before leaving for England, Gandhiji had to give a thank you speech to his school, for his send off party. He was so nervous, that his head started to reel and he felt dizzy. But later in life, Gandhi came to be recognized as one of the world’s greatest orators.

5. When in England, Gandhiji attended dancing lessons for a month at the request of his friends who told him he would need them to be a more perfect English gentleman.

6. Gandhiji’s landlady at London, wanted to get him married to her daughter  as she didn’t know he was already married.

7. For his first case as a barrister, Gandhiji took a fee of Rs 30, which was a very small sum even then, when even amateur lawyers took no less than Rs300.

8. Gandhiji was called a ‘coolie barrister’ in South Africa, the name that first applied to only laboreres from India, but later spread to address every Indian.

9.  While traveling from Durban to Pretoria, Gandhiji was thrown out of a first class compartment by three British officials, inspite of having the ticket.

10. When Gandhiji’s wife was seriously ill and couldn’t eat anything, Gandhiji himself gave up salt and pulses and continued this for no less than 10 years! Wondering what he ate without these?!

11. Gandhiji started a community in 1910 at Transvaal, South Africa called Tolstoy Farm where colored children were taught manual skills and were educated in literature and other subjects.  This place also became the head quarters of Satyagraha in the country, which would later be practised in a bigger way in India.

12. Gandhiji loved to walk and walked very long distances both in England and South Africa, thus saving travel expenses. And according to him, this also kept him away from other illnesses.

And now we also know what prepared him for the famous Dandi March.

13.  Gandhiji physically punished his son once and was deeply hurt by what he did. After this he made up his mind to stand against corporeal punishment.

14.  Gandhiji completely gave up drinking milk in 1912 in South Africa, for the rest of his life.

15.  The first piece of Khadi manufactured at Sabarmati Ashram under Gandhiji’s guidance was only 17 annas. That’s called honesty in business!

Well, these sure tell us that not everybody is perfect from the start, and that life’s journey, coupled with a good heart can do wonders.

Folomojo wishes Bapuji A Very Happy Birthday!

 

Also read:

Postman finds a common man’s letters to Gandhiji. What follows will change your idea of freedom!