October 2nd is more than a special day for all of us all around the globe. This is the day the man who showed us Indians the correct path of righteousness and humanity in fighting the cunning British Empire was born, and whose ideas, inspiration and courage left a deep mark in the society of the world. He has led us from darkness to light, and it gives us all a sense of pride to recollect what exactly he has given to us. In this 21st Century, the analysts and the rationalists have criticised his ideals and his personality. People are still at a loss to figure out how Gandhian principles are relevant in today's circumstances.
Richard Attenborough's movie was a beautiful biography of the man, in which his psyche and the positives of his ideals came to the fore in a just manner. He was shown as a true leader of the masses, a man with simple words and highly powerful messages. Striving to be a right analyst, I perceive that his conclusion was that non-violence was the rightest and a most noble way of fighting injustice. This was indeed special since following the principle in the circumstances in those days of freedom struggle was impossibly difficult, and required selfless courage and the greatest mental strength to face its consequences. At a time when Indians were treated as tribals, made to face cruel injustices, and without mercy, non-violence was as good as suicide. Gandhiji realised that the good within all of us cannot be suppressed forever.
The British were also humans. With their cruelties exposed to the world, they were from within beside themselves with shame and regret, yet there were many whose hearts were made of stone-people had no conscience whatsoever. Non-violence and non-cooperation had the greatest power because of its nobility, and had a magical effect. There was a Godly influence to it.
Gandhiji had weaknesses and made mistakes too, which were not in the least hidden in his autobiography.
Around the same time there was another selfless hero, a revolutionary, who chose a different principle for the freedom struggle-Subhash Chandra Bose. This foresighted Bengali was for total violence. He believed that as Indians, we do have every right to engage ourselves in a legal war against our oppressors. This ideology was bold and brave, yet not unnatural or unique. The uniqueness lay in the man's revolutionary character, his superhuman abilities, his belief, conviction and love for motherland. Effectively, he had the greatest potential and means to achieve a dignified independence. 
The ideals of both of these men were noble, right and most importantly morally acceptable( apart from Subhash's involvement with Hitler-there he perhaps proved to be politically and morally incorrect). Why history chose the course that it took is beyond our comprehension-neither of them could achieve desired results. Subhash Bose was mysteriously proclaimed to have been killed in an air crash at a crucial juncture, and Gandhiji seemed to be proven too weak to avoid partition. It was as if the British left us with another slap on our face, whose pain is yet to heal. But Gandhiji is nonetheless one of the greats of the world-it is his selfless attitude, his honesty, simplicity and courage which makes him so.
On a reflective note, aren't we in a confusion?With all my present mind and heart, all I can comprehend and conclude is that to win independence, our men chose the same track, but with differences in opinion, boarded different vehicles for it. And every vehicle will have its unique features. Non-violence has its relevance even today, and it is totally upto us individuals to accept or discard it, partially or wholly, or just admire it. There has been a clash of ideals between great men before, but today let us not forget to aknowledge the greatness of the principles of these heroes, and of them (subject to one's own perception).
