GANDHISTAMPS A Tribute to Gandhi Philately A TRIBUTE Countries : |
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Gandhiphilately.com |
This website is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi through Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an enigma. People still do not believe that such a man existed in flesh and blood on this very earth. Born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2nd October, 1869, he showed shades of patriotism from his childhood itself. As a young boy he was very religious. His mind always was fixed on a single motive in life, to free his motherland India, from the clutches of the Imperialist British. Gandhiji went to study law in England and South Africa. An incident in South Africa changed the course of his life. On 7th June 1893, in spite of possessing a first-class ticket, he was thrown out of his train compartment in Pietermaritzburg for not being white-skinned. jagwatches.net From then on he decided to lead a freedom struggle against the British and gain Independence for India. And after that there was no turning back. But his way of fighting was novel in itself. Gandhiji never used any weapon in his war for Independence. Gandhiji's method was by non-violence. And this was a very great success in itself. Gandhiji carried out the Salt Satyagraha against the unfairly high prices of salt sold in India by the British. He asked every Indian citizen to make their own salt and wear Khadi clothes made in India. Gandhiji started many movements like the Non Co-Operation movement and the Quit India movement of 1942 against the British in India. He was given the name 'Mahatma' by Rabindranath Tagore, ( Nobel Prize winner in literature for his 'Gitanjali') - in Sanskrit Mahan means great and Atman means soul . Due to Gandhiji's undaunted and unstinted efforts, India gained Independence from the unpopular, repressive British rule at Midnight on 15th August 1947. India's First Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declared that stamps on the lifetime of Mahatma Gandhi would be issued in 1949. Unfortunately, Gandhiji was assassinated on 30th January, 1948. Therefore the stamps were issued on India's 1st Independence Anniversary on 15th August, 1948 itself as Gandhiji himself was the architect of our Independence. This set of 4 stamps was the first ever stamps issued on Gandhiji in the world. Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as the Father of the Nation of The Republic of India. People world over follow his ideals. His followers among others include Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Centuries may pass by and men may come and go but no one can forget this great man. That is why I have chosen 'Mahatma Gandhi' as the theme for my stamp collection. This is my way of paying homage to this great soul I SALUTE HIM ! |