A tearful Homage to Nelson Mandela
“What
counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference
we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the
life we lead.” — Nelson Mandela
A
rumour of the former President of Nelson Mandela’s death spread some time ago in the social media after he
fell ill. I searched the net to find out facts and watched news channels so that
it all should be just rumours. I was happy to see that it was so. In June this year he was admitted in the
hospital and the rumour of his death before his birthday took turn, but the
great fighter won over the death and in September came out of the hospital.
Today’s news I came to know when I read my mail communication from White House. I said,
this must be true as it is authentic. I was shocked and I was in the midst of
my training programs and I did not even dare listening to Mr.Obama’s speech on
his death. It was a great shock though the news was expected sooner or later
due to health condition and his own family’s preparation for his end. In this last
few decades I have hardly seen anyone like him in the world. “A True Gandhian”
declared Mr.Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. British Prime Minister David Cameron said
"a great light has gone out in the world." “He no longer belongs to
us. He belongs to the ages” declared the US President.
His idea of Guerilla
war against the white for country’s freedom changed greatly due to the inspiration
from none other than Mahatma Gandhi. His 27 years of struggle in prison cannot be imagined.
He is not only the father of modern South Africa but also a great world leader.
His speech from the Dock, as it is famously called on 20th April,
1964 is meaningful even today:
“I have fought against white domination,
and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a
democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and
with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to
achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
I
felt as if I lost my friend and a relative. . I have searched my album and
picked up a photo which I got snapped standing next to his statue in Madam
Tussauds and put it up above. My reaction soon after hearing the news was, “How
many such people still live in the world and will the coming days will see any
such leaders? Will my own countrymen understand the importance of a great leader
Mahatma Gandhi and live the legacy? Will my country lead the light for the
world?”. My reactions suddenly turned to my inability to do anything big for
bringing such transformation among the youth or countrymen. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, in his death brought
the world together in his mourning, but will these leaders realize that it is
equality, non-violence and true altruism can only change the world we live in
and all wars must end? Mr. Mandela, you will be always live forever in the
hearts of all peace lovers of
the world and continue to inspire our lives.
To
read more on his biography visit: http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography
