He encouraged self-sufficiency and education, and started the homespun wool movement. He even showed foresight in foreign policy: When Hitler started World War II, Gandhi actually halted the Indian freedom movement, and asked the Indians to support the British rather than take advantage of their weakness. His theory - correct - was that Hitler was a much more evil foe. The British could be dealt with later.

I'd want to eat with Gandhi so I could learn from where he derived his passion, his non-violent bent, his perseverance and his love for India. I'd also want to learn where he learned his magnanimity: He was eventually assassinated by his own people because he gave too much away to Pakistan, India's sworn enemy, because he believed that both countries were brothers.

We all have a lot to learn from Gandhi.

Take Martin Luther King, Jr., for instance, who based his entire...
[ View Full Essay]