Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest political and social reformers of all time. In this paper I will show how some of the methods he created to achieve his many aims were more successful than others.
Gandhi?s main aim was to gain independence for India. His constructive programme involved plans to improve India and make it ready for Swaraj (home rule), starting with the rural areas or villages. The aims of the constructive programme were to promote village industries by asking people in villages everywhere to spin and wear khadi cloth (plain cloth made from yarn spun at home made from a handloom), to encourage people to speak Indian languages instead of English and to support the rights of women and untouchables. Another aim of the constructive programme was to improve Hindu-Muslim relations, education in rural areas and health care. These aims were part of the greater goal of returning to Swadeshi (India?s traditional way of life).
Gandhi?s non-violent methods (satyagraha)
The non-violent methods used by Gandhi to fight racial injustice, oppression and British rule in India were called satyagraha. Satyagraha meant ?the force that is born of truth and love and non-violence?. Gandhi tried
Gandhi was shocked by the violence between Hindus and Muslims after India gained its independence. The relations between India and Pakistan today are still not at all good. The government of India recently accused the government of Pakistan of not doing enough to prevent terrorist acts by Pakistanis in India.