Former US President Barack Obama Recalls the Father of the Nation on Gandhi Jayanti

Marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama the former President of the United States recalls what a great human being Mahatma Gandhi was. Also known as the first black President of the US in 2009, Obama speaks how influential a personality Gandhi was and how his life has influenced Obama as well.

Obama like ‘Bapu’ (Mahatma Gandhi), is an inspiring person who has taken to inspire millions of people across the globe through his selfless and generous nature. It is seen that the black political leader of the US is highly influenced and inspired by the father of the Indian nation. He is often found to have talked about Mahatma Gandhi and even had a photo of Bapu on the wall of his Senate office.

Speaking about the inspiring principles of Mahatma Gandhi, Obama says, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world. I am greatly influenced by a man from your nation whose message of love and justice shows us the way ahead. Just as he (Gandhi) summoned Indians to seek their destiny, he influenced champions of equality in my own country including Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King called Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and resistance as the only logical and moral approach in the struggle for justice and progress.” The former president said so during his address in the Indian Parliament. He even went on to say that it is the inspiring messages of Gandhi that played a key role in making him the president of the United States.

Obama, while visiting the Mani Bhavan – where Gandhi stayed during his visit to Bombay, wrote in the visitor’s book - “I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi’s life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world.”

Gandhi seems to have played a vital role in Obama’s life and that is being admitted by him in every step. Even while paying homage to the Indian freedom struggle leader, Obama wrote in the Rajghat memorial, “What Dr Martin Luther King Jr. said that remains true today: The spirit of Gandhi is very much alive in India today and it remains a rare gift to the world. May we always live in this spirit of love and peace among all people and nations.”