INS Trishul celebrates Gandhi’s ‘Satyagraha’
The INS Trishul, a leading battleship of the Indian Navy, sailed to Durban port in South Africa to observe the 130th anniversary of an event that happened on 7 June 1893 at the Pietermaritzburg railway station. The event marked the eviction of Mahatma Gandhi from a train, which further prompted his fight against discrimination.
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Gandhi’s Satyagraha: Key Points
- The warship’s visit to Durban, which lasts for three days, is part of the Navy’s celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence as well as the restoration of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa 30 years ago.
- The ship will join in a commemorative gathering at the Pietermaritzburg railway station, paying tribute to the Gandhi Plinth and featuring the Indian Navy band’s presentation.
- Furthermore, the ship will have other specialist and societal engagements during its stay. Additionally, a ‘Gandhi-Mandela-King Conference’ will be organized in affiliation with the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Foundation and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
About Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha:
- Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha was a non-violent resistance movement that was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian Independence struggle against British rule.
- The word Satyagraha is derived from two Sanskrit words ‘Satya’ meaning ‘truth’ and ‘agraha’ meaning ‘holding firmly to’. Together it means holding firmly to the truth.
- The movement was based on Gandhi’s belief that non-violent resistance is the most effective way to challenge unjust laws and policies.
- Gandhi encouraged people to face oppression without resorting to violence. Instead, they were encouraged to use nonviolent methods such as non-cooperation, civil disobedience, fasting, and demonstrations.
- Satyagraha was first used in South Africa in 1915 when Gandhi led a successful resistance against discriminatory racial laws.
- The movement gained momentum in India in the 1920s and 30s, leading to significant civil disobedience campaigns such as the Salt March and Quit India Movement.
- Gandhi’s Satyagraha philosophy had a significant influence on the Indian National Congress and its leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.
- Satyagraha movement inspired other nonviolent movements such as the US civil rights movement and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
- The principles of Satyagraha were also employed in other struggles across the world, including the struggle against colonialism in Africa and Latin America.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha is considered to be one of the most powerful and successful tools for social and political change that has been adopted by people across the world.