Page 21 - Reading Success B5

Mohandas Gandhi is thought to be the father of the nation of India by its

people. They gave this small and thin man the name Mahatma, which means
“Great Soul.” He believed in peace and brotherhood, and felt that the best way to

achieve these was to be unafraid, and nonviolent. He practiced love and tolerance
for all people above all other things.

Even though he was never elected to a political office, he influenced many
people in India. He is known throughout the entire world as a great figure. Gandhi

helped India gain its freedom from Britain through nonviolent methods. He also
brought welcome changes to the lives of many Indians who lived in horrible

conditions. Gandhi lived like a peasant. He did not eat very much food.
Sometimes he even went on fasts and ate no food at all.

Gandhi’s father was an official in the small town of Probandar in India. Gandhi
was raised by a Hindu family, and, according to Hindu custom, he was married at

the age of 13 to an 11-year old girl. Gandhi went to London to study law before
staying in South Africa for 21 years working for Indian rights. He led workers in

peaceful strikes against racial discrimination. For his actions Gandhi was jailed
several times, which added up to a total of seven years in jail.

On January 13, 1948 Gandhi attended a prayer meeting. At the meeting a man
who disagreed with Gandhi politically assassinated him. The entire world mourned

his death. Tagore, a great Indian poet, said, “He will always be remembered as
one who made his life a lesson for all ages to come.”

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. life and achievements of Mahatma Gandhi

b. Mahatma Gandhi’s family members
c. Mahatma Gandhi’s participation in Indian politics

d. Mahatma Gandhi’s activities in South Africa

24_Reading Success B 5