Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a globally known name. He was also known as Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation or simply, Bapu. Most of us are aware of his role in the freedom struggle, his unique dressing style, and his ideologies, but there are a few unknown facts that leave you even more in awe of this phenomenon.
- Despite receiving five nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, Gandhiji never got the award. The committee still regrets their inability to honour him but the rules state the award can only be given to a living person.
- Bapu’s untimely death left the country devastated. He was held in such high esteem, his funeral procession was eight kilometers long and packed with people who wanted to bid farewell.
- Twenty-one years after his death, Great Britain, the country from whom Gandhi sought independence, paid homage to him with a stamp.
- Mahatma Gandhi lived simply. He walked/travelled almost 18 kilometers a day, throughout his lifetime. This translates to walking around the world twice.
- A day before Gandhiji’s demise, he considered dissolving the Congress. He believed they had lost sight of their non-cooperation agenda and the newly independent India was headed towards chaos.
- Apple founder, Steve Jobs, revered Mahatma Gandhi and his principles. He wore round glasses in imitation of his idol.
- Gandhiji carried a set of false teeth in a fold of his loincloth.
- Fifty-three major roads across India and many smaller ones are named after Gandhi. There are also 48 international roads bearing his name.
- Mahatma Gandhi was shy as a child and often ran away from his Rajkot school to avoid interacting with other children.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s shy nature led to an unsuccessful career as a lawyer. He found it difficult to cross-examine witnesses or confront them.
We hope the above facts give you a further insight into Bapu.
READ MORE: MAHATMA GANDHI’S WEAPON: NON-VIOLENCE