Obama turns teacher, tells daughters about Mahatma Gandhi

Posted by: Pallavi Sengupta Updated: Monday, July 1, 2013, 14:52 [IST] 

Bangalore, July 1: The US President turned a teacher as he taught his daughters about 'Satyagraha', spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi. This happened on his visit to the prison where his hero- Nelson Mandela was jailed for about two-third of his life. In many of his public speeches, Obama has often been heard mentioning about the influence of Mahatma Gandhi's ideas on the Americans and Africans. "It is here that the great leader started his activism. He was a lawyer in South Africa. It was actually here that the concept of political non-violence took shape," said Obama, according to a White House Pool report, as he visited the Robben Island premises with his family.
Going back to history, one would find the traits of 'ahimsa' and 'satyagraha' in the ideas of the first Black President of USA-Martin Luther King too, who fought injustice against blacks. Invoking the contribution of Nelson Mandela, Obama said he felt "humbled to stand in a place where men of such courage faced down injustice and refused to yield." Obama added that it was imprtant for his daughters to understand the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who is the ultimate testament of how a war against time and people can be won by peace and supreme human spirit. The trip to Robben Islands was part of a three-day African trip by the First Family; which, however, had hints of concern for the deteriorating health of 94-year old world hero Nelson Mandela. Although Obama did not meet him, he met his family members to share his concerns. OneIndia News Topics: barack obama, nelson mandela, obama, south africa, photo features Story first published:  Monday, July 1, 2013, 12:48 [IST]

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