was an Indian lawyer,anti-colonial nationalist,and political ethicist,who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule, and in turn inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorificMahātmā (Sanskrit: “great-souled”, “venerable”), first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa, is now used throughout the world. His contributions to the formation of Modern India also gave him the title – “Father of the Nation”.