Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Did You Know Mahatma Gandhi was Vegetarian? 20 Lesser-Known Facts About Him – News18

GANDHI JAYANTI 2023: Mahatma Gandhi was a towering figure in Indian history, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world. While he is well-known for his leadership of the Indian independence movement and his philosophy of non-violence, there are many lesser known facts about his life and work. But, did you know that Mahatma Gandhi was a vegetarian for his entire life? Or that he was a skilled craftsman who learned to spin yarn and weave cloth by hand? Or that he was a strong advocate for women’s rights and religious tolerance? These are just a few of the lesser known facts about Mahatma Gandhi.

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Here’s a look at 20 fascinating facts about his life and work that you may not know.

1. According to historians, poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore gave the title Mahatma to Gandhi.
2. Gandhi was a vegetarian for his entire life. He believed that killing animals for food was wrong, and he advocated for a plant-based diet.
3. Gandhi was a skilled lawyer. He studied law in London and practiced law in South Africa for several years before returning to India to lead the independence movement.
4. Gandhi was a prolific writer. He wrote over 40 books and pamphlets on a variety of topics, including non-violence, religion, and social justice.
5. Gandhi was a strong advocate for women’s rights. He believed that women were equal to men and should have the same rights and opportunities.
6. Gandhi was a champion of religious tolerance. He believed that all religions were equal and should be respected.
7. Gandhi was a strong supporter of education. He believed that education was essential for individual and social development.
8. Gandhi was a skilled craftsman. He learned to spin yarn and weave cloth by hand, and he promoted these skills as a way to empower the poor and reduce India’s reliance on imported goods.
9. Gandhi was a simple man who lived a frugal lifestyle. He believed in living in harmony with nature and avoiding unnecessary consumption.
10. Gandhi was a strong advocate for peace and non-violence. He believed that all conflicts could be resolved peacefully through dialogue and understanding.
11. Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. He was 78 years old.
12. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi was the Time Magazine Man of the Year.
13. He was a huge football fan and during his stay in South Africa, formed two football clubs; one in Johannesburg and the other in Pretoria.
14. Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947, and, finally, a few days before he was murdered in January 1948 – but he never won.
15. Great Britain, the country against whom he fought for India’s Independence, released a stamp honouring him, 21 years after his death.
16. Gandhi wrote several books on food and health and is said to have made a diet chart for Subhash Chandra Bose.
17. He was also responsible for the Civil Rights movement in 4 continents and 12 countries.
18. Gandhi was only 13 years old when he married his 14-year-old Kasturba in 1882. The death of their first child made him a strong opponent of child marriage.
19. He reportedly wrote a letter to German dictator Adolf Hitler, addressing him as ‘Dear Friend,’ requesting him to stop the war. Hitler never replied.
20. It is said that several people attended Gandhi’s funeral procession and that it was 8 kilometres long.