Mahatma Gandhi: podcast appearances and interviews

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born on 2 October 1869 and died on 30 January 1948, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist noted for his use of nonviolent resistance. He led the campaign for India's independence from British rule and inspired civil rights movements globally. Gandhi was trained in law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar at age 22. After experiencing difficulties establishing a law practice in India, he moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant. During his 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi raised a family and first practiced nonviolent resistance in civil rights campaigns. In 1915, at age 45, he returned to India and organized efforts among peasants, farmers, and urban workers to protest discrimination and taxation. As the leader of the Indian National Congress from 1921, Gandhi championed causes such as poverty alleviation, women's rights, religious harmony, and the abolition of untouchability, advocating for self-rule or swaraj. He adopted simple attire made from hand-spun yarn and lived a life of self-sufficiency, fasting for reflection and political protest. Gandhi led significant campaigns including the 1930 Salt March and called for British withdrawal in 1942. His vision of an inclusive India was challenged by Muslim nationalism, leading to partition in 1947 and subsequent violence. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. His birthday, October 2, is observed as Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Nonviolence. Recognized as the Father of the Nation in India, Gandhi's legacy as a pacifist and health advocate endures.