1.Introduction
In the contemporary media world, where the 'advertorials' probably bear more importance than the 'editorials', I believe it should be interesting to know how the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, contributed to the fields of journalism and mass communication.
An effective communicator, Gandhi was fearless and eloquent with his words. He reached out to millions of people and convinced them of his cause. According to Chalapathi Raju, an eminent editor, Gandhi was probably the greatest journalist of all time, and the weeklies he ran and edited were probably the greatest weeklies the world has known. He published no advertisement, and at the same time he did not let his newspapers run at a loss. He had
gained considerable experience in South Africa, where he had taken over the editorship of the 'Indian Opinion' and published it in English, Tamil and Gujarati, sometimes running the press himself.
Young India and Harijan became powerful vehicles of his views on all subjects. He wrote on all subjects. He wrote simply and clearly but forcefully, with passion and burning indignation. One of the objects of a newspaper, he said, is to understand the popular feeling and give expression to it, another is to arouse among the people certain desirable sentiments, and the third is fearlessly to expose popular defects.
2.Gandhi - The Great Communicator and Journalist
Apart from being a national leader and social reformer, Gandhi was a great communicator. More than any one else, he recognized that communication is the most effective tool to shape opinion and mobilize popular support. He was successful because he had a latent skill in communication that surfaced in South Africa where he had gone initially to set up practice as a lawyer. This gave him the clue to rally millions of his countrymen when he returned to India. Gandhi’s journalism belonged to an era when there was neither radio nor television. Such was the power of his 'soul communication' that whatever he said and wrote reached the farthest corners of this country within days and to the entire world thereon.
Gandhi, in a journalistic career spanning nearly four decades, edited six journals. None, including Harijan and Navjivan, at first, could boast a circulation of more than a few thousand copies. But such was Gandhi's grasp of the basics of mass communication that he ensured that his daily "outpourings of heart and soul" reached all.
If one were to ask the question as to who came first- ‘Gandhi – The Freedom Fighter’ or ‘Gandhi – The Media Crusader’, the truth would be that latter pre-dated the former by at least 20 years.
Thesis: It is clear that Gandhi made many sacrifices in his lifetime to not only appease millions around him, but to also influence many forthcoming icons.
When you expect to be looking for propaganda of any sort, you convince yourself to look harder and deeper into the more profound side of things in order to identify the untrue, because you are rightly expecting subliminal overtones. Especially when the case deals with the resignation of the only editor who was from outside the family that owns a 135 year old, well respected newspaper with a circulation of almost 1.5 million everyday in a country as vast as India and was made editor on the recommendation of the enigmatic ex-editor of the Hindu, Narasimhan Ram himself.
Rudolf, Lloyd L., and Susanne Hoeber Rudolf. Post Modern Gandhi and other essays. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2006. 92-120. Print.
Mohandas Gandhi was a non-violent promoter for Indian independence.He was married young at 13,and went to London to go to law school.Gandhi got his degree there and was on his way to being a lawyer.He went to his first case,but couldn't even speak. Gandhi then got invited to South Africa from a businessman. Gandhi’s luck their was no good either.European racism came to him,after he got kicked off of a train,because he was “colored” and was holding a first class ticket.When Gandhi fought back because of it,was arrested and was sent to jail.After this, he became know as as a leader.Gandhi returned to India in 1896,and he was disgusted by it.British wanted them to wear their clothes,copy their manners,accept their standards of beauty,but Gandhi refused.Gandhi wanted people to live free of all class and wealth.Gandhi tried so hard and was more successful then any other man in India.They won independence in 1947. Gandhi’s non-violent movement worked because,Gandhi used clever planning, mass appeal, conviction, and compassion to win independence for India.
"Selections from Gandhi : Complete Book Online." WELCOME TO MAHATMA GANDHI ONE SPOT COMPLETE INFORMATION WEBSITE. Web. 01 Oct. 2011. .
Gandhi, Rajmohan. Gandhi: The Man, His People, and the Empire. Berkeley: U of California, 2008. Print.
George Orwell, a British journalist living in India during colonial rule, writes an argumentative essay on Mohandas Gandhi (1949) called “Reflections on Gandhi,” Orwell debates whether people like Gandhi should choose human imperfection over “sainthood”. Orwell believes that sainthood should be a status that humans should try to avoid which he shows by describing some of Gandhi’s sainthood actions that led to unmoral ideas.
In the beginning, Gandhi states, ”You must be the change the world wishes to see” (Gandhi article). This reveals that often if there is a change in the world that needs to be made, heroes are the ones who initiate the change. Gandhi fought for India’s rights peacefully. For example, he made an agreement with Lord Irwin to end the Salt Satyagraha in exchange for concessions that included the release of thousands of political prisoners. Secondly, when other countries declared war on India, Gandhi pleaded other countries representatives discuss their perspective till a solution was formed. Finally, in the end of his book,Gandhi, An Autobiography Mahatma Gandhi reveals, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This shows that Mahatma Gandhi only cared for the people and the independence of his country, yet not himself. Gandhi did not take these actions for wealth, and fame, he did it out of the kindness of his
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a person who had a cause to act, acted instead of being acted upon, and not only influenced India and South Africa, but the entire world. “ French writer Romain Rolland (1866—1944) said Gandhi was as stubborn as a mule, but a “sacred mule”(qtd. in Cook). Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an extremely confident, peace loving man which is proved by the quote. Gandhi is a very important and amazingly influential person in the society we live in today. Without Gandhi’s influential ideas the world would have faced many terrible wars resulting massive destruction and would have affected many aspects of our current lives. Problems like the British rule and the caste system caused Gandhi to act. Great leaders and books influenced Gandhi’s belief of life. Gandhi accomplished many important things in his life to solve the problems faced by many people in South Africa, but most of all in India. Many people do not realize how much impact Gandhi’s accomplishments and beliefs have on the world. Indian independence was Gandhi’s most important accomplishment and the highlight of his illustrious life. Gandhi’s beliefs and vision influence the world today most notably through the civil rights movements of Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States and Nelson Mandela in South Africa, but his ideas are present throughout the globe. Through these great leaders who adopted Gandhi’s technique, we see the power of strong words and nonviolent action.
Gandhi’s overall appearance made people question their views of him. His frame was thin and frail but he was one of the powerful people during the time. This photograph almost didn’t happen because of Gandhi’s strict demands. Margaret Bourke-White was allowed a great opportunity to photograph Gandhi, India’s leader. She had to learn how to use the spinning wheel first before being able to take the photograph of Gandhi, she also had further demand that she must not speak to Gandhi as it was his day of silence. Margaret was only allowed to use three flash bulbs as Gandhi didn’t like bright lights so strong of silence which provided an additional burden as she was unable to direct him into any position that she wanted as the photographer, she had to rely on his going in to a suitable position for the final shot. Gandhi at his spinning wheel (Anon., n.d.) As she had set her equipment up and was ready to shoot the photograph the first flash bulb had failed and the she had forgotten to pull the side which made it come out blank. At the end of it she came out with a photograph which became Gandhi’s best portrait and was recognised by the whole world. In the end Margaret Bourke-White came away with a photograph of Gandhi which became the most enduring represent...
Kumar, Ravindra. Mahatma Gandhi at the Close of Twentieth Century. New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 2004. Print.
Albert Einstein, a refugee and the most famous physicist of all time wrote a letter on 29th October 1931 to Mohandas K. Gandhi congratulating him on his work of showing how possible it is to succeed without violence against those who practice it regularly. He also conveyed his optimism and eagerness for the rest of the world to learn from Gandhi`s example which would replace war conflicts. Gandhi, known for his persistent leadership in ending the British colonial rule in India and his dream of a unified Independent Indian democracy arose from his rather unquestionable simple life. Gandhi much like other prominent historical such as Muhammad (pbuh), Jesus Christ and Buddha preached non-violence, forgiveness and simple living as a way to unite all people peacefully. These teachings helped him gain independence for his people and taught the world a lesson that all can learn.
While Western Europe had echoed with the rants of dictators Gandhi had stirred the crowded multitudes of India, the most populous area in the world, without raising his voice. It was not with the luring of power of fortune that he had called his followers to his cause but by giving a warning of having to handle the most difficult adversities of their life, yet people followed him with utmost reverence. In this investigation, we will try to find out what were the reasons for the s...
Holmes, John Haynes. "Mahatma Gandhi: an American Portrait." Harvard Square Library. 2006. Harvard University. 12 Feb. 2011. .
People in India call him Mahatma and according to the oxford dictionary it means a revered person regarded with love and respect, two words that Gandhi uses a lot in his writing, in this essay he used the word love eight times. He is recognized as “The Father of the Nation” in India. The essay “My Faith in Nonviolence” was written in 1930 and was directed to the Indian people. Also in 1930 Gandhi started a march to the sea to protest the British rule of India so this letter and many others were important for Gandhi to explain his message to his followers. Gandhi supported his claim