The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869, in the small town of Porbandar on the western coast of India. He grew up to be a leader and activist who changed the course of history.

Mohandas was the youngest of four children in his family. He wasn’t a bright student or a super sportsman. But he was DILIGENT. And more importantly he never followed the crowd – he didn’t do anything just because everyone else was doing it.

DILIGENT: hardworking.

Years later, as a young man and a lawyer he stood up against the RACIAL DISCRIMINATION he and his fellow Indians faced in South Africa.

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: unfair treatment against someone or a group of people because of the colour of their skin.

When he returned to India, he joined the fight for Indian independence from British rule. He led peaceful protests against the British and NEGOTIATED on behalf of India and Indians.

NEGOTIATE: discuss a problem until you come to an agreement on what to do.

Gandhi was more than a political leader. He was always looking for opportunities to improve lives, and he never gave advice that he couldn’t follow himself.

Gandhi was really interested in health, and he tried out various diets and treatments and wrote about them to inform other people. He took comfort in nursing and often volunteered to help ill and old people.